Starting Salary for a Computer Support Specialist
Computer support specialists are responsible for providing technical assistance to help computer users with commonly encountered technology problems. Computer support specialists, also referred to as technical support specialists, typically respond to problems experienced by consumers or others with computer problems over the phone or in person. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not differentiate between entry-level salaries and those for more experienced workers, so beginning computer support specialist salaries may be slightly lower than those reported here.
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National Averages
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the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that there were an estimated 540,560 computer support specialists employed in 2009. These workers at a national average wage of about $22.77 an hour or about $47,360 a year. Computer support specialists and the lowest 10th percentile earned an average of $13.08 an hour or about $27,200 per year, while those in the lowest 25th percentile earned an average of $16.50 per hour or about $34,320 a year.
Most Common Sectors
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The "computer systems design and related services" sector of the industry employed the highest number of computer support specialists and 2009 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The estimated 102,410 workers in the sector earned an average of $23 an hour or about $47,850 per year. The estimated 30,520 workers in the second most common sector, "elementary and secondary schools," earned about $20.82 an hour or $43,310 a year.
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Highest Paying Sectors
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The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a computer support specialist employed in the "monetary authorities central bank" sector of the industry had the highest average salaries in 2009. The estimated 750 specialists in this sector earned an average of $34.26 an hour or about $71,270 per year. The estimated 250 workers in the second highest paying sector, "pipeline transportation of natural gas" earned an average of $33.04 an hour or about $68,710 per year.
Geographic Differences
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Computer support specialists working in Massachusetts, the District of Columbia, Connecticut, Delaware and California had the highest average salaries out of all states in 2009 as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Support specialists in Massachusetts earned the highest out of all states, averaging about $28.96 per hour or $60,230 per year. Computer support specialists in California, the fifth highest paying state, earned about $25.52 an hour or about $53,080 per year.
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References
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