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Information TechnologyTop JobColorado Talent Pipeline Report-aligned occupation with strong annual openings, growth, and wage signals.

Computer User Support Specialist

Provide technical assistance to computer users. Answer questions or resolve computer problems for clients in person, via telephone, or electronically. May provide assistance concerning the use of computer hardware and software, including printing, installation, word processing, electronic mail, and operating systems.

Annual openings

1,299

BLS median wage

$71,900

Typical education

Associate's degree, though some employers require only a high school diploma and some require Bachelor's degrees.

10-year growth

+5%

Career requirements

What does this career require?

The education, credentials, and on-the-job competencies Colorado employers expect for this role.

Typical education

Associate's degree, though some employers require only a high school diploma and some require Bachelor's degrees.

Credential requirement

Getting certified in computer user support can usually help you get a job – however, it’s important to understand which certifications employers want to see on your resume. You can do this by looking at current job postings to see what certifications employers are requiring. Some jobs do not require certification.

Credential detail

Certifications that are valued by some employers include: • Certified A+ Technician • Network + Certified • Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) • Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) • Security + • Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) • Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL)

Work experience

Entry-level or one to three years work experience in a job demonstrating the Competencies needed for success in this job.

Experience detail

This is an entry-level role so no experience in an IT environment is required. Full or part-time work experience of any kind developing the listed knowledge and abilities is preferred, with prior Customer Support experience often being valued.

Work-based learning

Computer User Support Specialists serve as an important first-line of defense against Cybersecurity attacks, such as phishing attempts. It is important to keep up with the latest threats and to be diligent in spotting potential attempts when working with users.

Remote work

Some companies (information technology companies for example) and jobs (such as call center support) offer the opportunity for staff to work remotely, including from rural locations. To see if a job offers this opportunity, please review job postings from job banks such as ZipRecruiter, Indeed or ConnectingColorado, and look for key words such as "location independent", "remote", "virtual", "telecommute", "flex" or for companies posting the same job in many locations.

Employer competency information

  • Communication — Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking appropriate questions to identify root cause through iterative questions, making sure to understand the severity of a problem to the end-user, and the impact to the business (network issue vs. PC issue). Using written summary, process, and technical communications to clearly and effectively transmit relevant and actionable information while adjusting tone and content to the specific audience; adapting layout and prioritization of information for each support situation.
  • Critical & Analytical Thinking — Using logic and reasoning to identify the risks and rewards of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems to improve operational efficiency; seeing the big picture and identifying patterns like a large number of tickets for the same type of issue; identifying opportunities for improvement by regularly reevaluating the status-quo.
  • Problem Solving & Decision Making — Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one; looking at the micro-macro effect of your decision and how it aligns with the overall mission of the business; utilizing technical common sense to reduce overall impact of decisions on the customer.
  • Customer Focus — Actively looking for ways to help people and viewing role as the “IT Customer Service Department”; owning an issue through completion or transfer to another support specialist; using effective communication and empathy to best help resolve customer issues.
This job has been identified by employers as a key feeder role into a Cybersecurity career.
Got an Associate's Degree and certifications? LinkedIn identified that new Cybersecurity job holders were 3 times more likely to hold an Associate's degree than the average US worker. Getting an Associate's degree and obtaining in-demand industry certifications can be a good pathway into a Cybersecurity career.
This job is important for the growth of the renewables industry and is a “green job” when you work for an organization supporting that industry, or other green industries.

Is this work a fit?

What the work actually feels like

How people in this career tend to spend their time, the interests it draws on, and a look at a typical day.

Work style

  • With kids/peopleOccasionally
  • On a computerOccasionally
  • Outdoors / on-siteOccasionally
  • With your handsOccasionally

Interests it draws on

  • Technology

Automation exposure

Low exposure

Tasks here lean on judgement and people skills that are hard to automate.

A typical day

  1. Oversee the daily performance of computer systems.
  2. Answer user inquiries regarding computer software or hardware operation to resolve problems.
  3. Install and perform minor repairs to hardware, software, or peripheral equipment, following design or installation specifications.
  4. Enter commands and observe system functioning to verify correct operations and detect errors.
  5. Refer major hardware or software problems or defective products to vendors or technicians for service.
  6. Inspect equipment and read order sheets to prepare for delivery to users.