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IT specialist: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 26, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$61,860median pay per year, or $29.74 an hour, May 2025[2]
  1. $40,980lowest 10% earn less
  2. $49,00025th percentile
  3. $61,860median
  4. $79,04075th percentile
  5. $100,540top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[4]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[5]

Workers in the BLS category Computer User Support Specialists, which includes IT specialist among its reported job titles[1], earned a median of $61,860 a year in May 2025[2]. BLS projects employment in this category to fall 3.5% from 2025 to 2035[3].

Job growth, 2025–35
-3.5%[3]
Openings per year
39,700[6]
Typical entry education
Some college, no degree[7]

How much do IT specialists make?

BLS tracks this work as Computer User Support Specialists. In May 2025 the median wage was $61,860 a year, or $29.74 an hour[2]. That splits workers into a higher-paid half and a lower-paid half. The average was $67,330 a year, or $32.37 an hour[8]. The median annual wage for all occupations was $50,980[5], so the median here is higher.

Percentile Annual wage Hourly wage
10th[4][9] $40,980 $19.70
25th[4][9] $49,000 $23.56
Median[2] $61,860 $29.74
75th[4][9] $79,040 $38.00
90th[4][9] $100,540 $48.34

The lowest-paid 10% of workers earned less than $40,980[4]. A percentile is a boundary, and BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[10]. These figures cover people paid a wage or salary. They leave out the self-employed, nonproduction bonuses and employer-paid benefits such as health insurance[11].

Pay by state and city

Among the 50 states and DC with published data, the District of Columbia had the highest median at $80,950[12]. California followed at $79,570 and Washington at $75,220[12]. Arkansas had the lowest listed median, $46,360[12].

California also had the most jobs, 74,490, followed by Texas with 72,030 and Florida with 51,220[13].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA had the highest median at $106,040[14]. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA came next at $93,590, then Carson City, NV at $93,560[14]. The metro area with the most jobs was New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ with 36,580 jobs and a median of $75,690[15].

Show median pay in 50 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
District of Columbia[12]$80,9503,140
California$79,57074,490
Washington$75,22021,860
Massachusetts$75,07017,570
New York$72,56039,100
Colorado$71,90016,740
Connecticut$70,2109,300
Wyoming$65,100790
Virginia$65,04020,910
Maryland$64,75012,200
New Jersey$64,47018,200
Minnesota$63,63015,320
Alaska$63,110950
Vermont$63,0301,630
Oregon$62,8408,850
Rhode Island$62,5101,780
Delaware$62,1601,890
Arizona$61,41018,780
North Dakota$61,3101,400
Utah$61,11011,120
Maine$60,8902,810
Nebraska$60,8306,380
New Hampshire$60,6603,910
Georgia$60,44025,980
North Carolina$60,12023,100
Illinois$59,86026,060
Missouri$59,77013,510
Ohio$59,72022,370
Texas$59,49072,030
Idaho$59,1703,650
Iowa$58,8106,140
Wisconsin$58,81012,400
Florida$58,74051,220
Pennsylvania$58,67030,560
Montana$58,4601,640
Nevada$57,8706,560
Kentucky$57,8509,460
Hawaii$56,7602,440
Indiana$56,51013,540
Michigan$56,24022,090
Kansas$56,1506,780
Tennessee$55,99011,920
West Virginia$55,3502,250
New Mexico$53,2803,290
Louisiana$52,4404,780
Mississippi$52,2303,830
South Carolina$52,0809,880
Oklahoma$52,0409,600
Alabama$49,6307,360
South Dakota$48,2601,240
Arkansas$46,3604,390

How to become an IT specialist

BLS describes the typical path into Computer User Support Specialists this way:

The Occupational Outlook Handbook profile covers a wider group of computer support jobs than this page[16]. Its training details say user support jobs need some computer knowledge but not always a college degree. Courses in networking, server administration and information security may help applicants qualify[17]. It also says a high school diploma plus IT certifications may be enough for some candidates[18]. Companies may ask support staff to hold certifications for the products they use[19]. Large software companies that support business customers may ask for a bachelor's degree[20].

The handbook also lists qualities that matter in this work. These are clear communication[21], patience with frustrated users[22], careful listening[23] and problem-solving skills[24].

What IT specialists do

O*NET describes the work as giving technical help to computer users, in person, by phone or electronically[25]. Common tasks include:

Workers report job titles such as help desk analyst, desktop support technician and IT support specialist[1].

Where they work

In the handbook's wider group, the largest employer was computer systems design and related services, at 21% of jobs in 2025[27]. Some support specialists can telework. Others need to be onsite or travel to clients[28]. Full-time work is typical, and because support may be needed around the clock, some people work nights or weekends[29]. In 2025, 2.5% of Computer User Support Specialists were self-employed[30].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment of Computer User Support Specialists to fall 3.5% from 2025 to 2035[3]. That is a drop from about 750,600 to 724,400 jobs, or 26,200 fewer[3]. Employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% over the same years[31]. The projection counts include self-employed workers[3]. The May 2025 wage data counts about 717,190 wage and salary jobs and leaves out the self-employed[32].

BLS names offshoring and the use of generative AI to solve troubleshooting needs as factors that lower this occupation's share of employment[33].

Even with a decline, about 39,700 openings a year are projected on average from 2025 to 2035[6]. Openings include jobs that come open when people retire or change occupations, not only new jobs[6]. Each year, 2.2% of workers leave the labor force and 3.6% move to a different occupation[34].

The handbook says many support specialists move on to other IT roles, such as information security analyst, network and systems administrator or software developer. Some become managers in the support department[35]. For comparison, Computer Network Support Specialists had a median of $76,220 and Software Developers $135,980[36].

Is it a good fit?

The facts point to a job with a low barrier to entry. BLS lists some college with no degree and no related experience as typical[7]. Median pay was above the all-occupations median[2][5]. The pay range is wide, from $40,980 at the 10th percentile to $100,540 at the 90th[4]. Pay also varies by place[12]. Employment is projected to shrink, though thousands of openings are still expected each year[3][6]. The work involves helping frustrated users, so patience and clear communication count[21][22].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[36].

Frequently asked questions

How much does an IT specialist make an hour?
The median wage for Computer User Support Specialists was $29.74 an hour in May 2025[2]. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $19.70 and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $48.34[9].
What degree do you need to be an IT specialist?
BLS lists some college with no degree as the typical entry education for Computer User Support Specialists[7]. The handbook says these jobs do not necessarily need a college degree[17].
Is IT support in demand?
BLS projects employment to fall 3.5% from 2025 to 2035, while about 39,700 openings are expected each year[3][6]. Openings include retirements and moves to other occupations[6].
What is the highest paying state for IT specialists?
The District of Columbia had the highest median at $80,950, followed by California at $79,570[12].

Facts and sources

  1. O*NET 15-1232.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Computer Support Specialist, Computer Tech (Computer Technician), Desktop Support Technician (Desktop Support Tech), Help Desk Analyst, Help Desk Tech (Help Desk Technician), IS Tech (Information Systems Technician), IT Specialist (Information Technology Specialist), IT Support Specialist (Information Technology Support Specialist). O*NET OnLine
  2. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Computer User Support Specialists in the US was $61,860 per year and $29.74 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  3. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Computer User Support Specialists is projected to decline 3.5% from 2025 to 2035, from about 750,600 to 724,400 jobs (a change of -26,200). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Computer User Support Specialists: 10th percentile $40,980, 25th percentile $49,000, 75th percentile $79,040, 90th percentile $100,540. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  6. BLS Employment Projections: about 39,700 openings for Computer User Support Specialists are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Computer User Support Specialists: education needed for entry: Some college, no degree; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Computer User Support Specialists was $67,330 per year and $32.37 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Computer User Support Specialists: 10th percentile $19.70, 25th percentile $23.56, 75th percentile $38.00, 90th percentile $48.34. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. Median annual wage for Computer User Support Specialists in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Computer User Support Specialists jobs: California 74,490; Texas 72,030; Florida 51,220; New York 39,100; Pennsylvania 30,560. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Computer User Support Specialists (areas with at least 100 jobs): Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $106,040; San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $93,590; Carson City, NV $93,560; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $89,440; Vallejo, CA $81,280; Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $80,520; Napa, CA $79,050; Yuba City, CA $78,420. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Computer User Support Specialists jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 36,580 (median $75,690); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 22,600 (median $60,710); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 20,660 (median $75,070); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 19,680 (median $60,730); Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV 18,510 (median $77,860); Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA 15,980 (median $62,110). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Computer Support Specialists" covers Computer User Support Specialists together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  25. O*NET description of Computer User Support Specialists. O*NET OnLine
  26. O*NET task list for Computer User Support Specialists. O*NET OnLine
  27. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of computer support specialists in 2025: Computer systems design and related services 21%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. BLS Employment Projections: 2.5% of Computer User Support Specialists were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  31. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  32. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 717,190 people were employed as Computer User Support Specialists in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  33. BLS Employment Projections, factor affecting employment of Computer User Support Specialists: Sourcing change, capital/labor substitution - share decreases as more businesses offshore their computer user support or solve computer troubleshooting needs using generative artificial intelligence (AI). BLS Employment Projections
  34. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Computer User Support Specialists: 2.2% of workers leave the labor force each year and 3.6% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  35. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Advancement. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  36. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers. The Occupational Outlook Handbook text covers a wider group of occupations than this page.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.