Computer User Support Specialists
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.
BLS SOC 15-1232 · O*NET-SOC 15-1232.00 · BLS 2025–2035 · O*NET 31.0
Median annual wage, 2025
$61,860
Projected change, 2025–2035
-3.5%
2025–2035 annual average openings
39,700
AI exposure
Very high
Editorial analysis
The first support conversation may no longer be with a person
Computer support is a natural place for AI because many requests are repetitive: password problems, software setup, common error messages, device configuration, and questions already answered somewhere in a knowledge base. AI assistants can guide users through these issues conversationally and can often resolve simple cases without creating a human ticket.
What reaches the human queue gets harder
If automated systems successfully handle the easy problems, support specialists may see a higher concentration of strange failures, frustrated users, security concerns, and issues spanning several systems. That can make the remaining work more technical rather than less.
- AI can search internal documentation while a support conversation is happening.
- Ticket summaries and suggested fixes can be generated automatically.
- Remote diagnostic tools may identify probable causes before a technician begins investigating.
- Escalation judgment and the ability to explain technical problems calmly remain valuable.
For career growth, basic help-desk knowledge may increasingly serve as a starting point rather than a destination. Specialists who develop skills in networking, identity management, cloud systems, security, automation, or endpoint administration will be better positioned as first-line support becomes more automated.
Labor-market picture
Two measures, different questions
These measures offer two different ways to understand the occupation: BLS projections show how national employment may change over time, while relative AI exposure highlights where tasks may intersect with AI-related capabilities. Read them with the work profile and your local context to decide what deserves closer investigation.
Employment
- Employment, 2025
- 750,600 jobs
- Projected employment, 2035
- 724,400 jobs
- Projected change, 2025–2035
- -26,200 jobs (-3.5%)
Relative AI exposure
BLS category: Very high. This is a relative task-exposure classification, not a forecast of employment change, automation, wages, or worker replacement.
Relative AI exposure · Very high
Work profile
Representative tasks
These task statements come from O*NET 31.0. They are source facts, not labels assigned by the AI exposure measure.
- Oversee the daily performance of computer systems.
- Set up equipment for employee use, performing or ensuring proper installation of cables, operating systems, or appropriate software.
- Read technical manuals, confer with users, or conduct computer diagnostics to investigate and resolve problems or to provide technical assistance and support.
- Answer user inquiries regarding computer software or hardware operation to resolve problems.
- Install and perform minor repairs to hardware, software, or peripheral equipment, following design or installation specifications.
- Confer with staff, users, and management to establish requirements for new systems or modifications.
Skills that matter
Skills in the source profile
Importance uses O*NET's 1–5 scale. Level uses its 0–7 scale. Select a skill to see its source definition and reported values.
Technology and tools
These technology records come from O*NET and show software or tools reported in the occupation profile. They describe work context, not a required checklist for every employer.
- Word processing software
- Internet directory services software
- Document management software
- Development environment software
- Graphics or photo imaging software
- Desktop publishing software
- Web page creation and editing software
- Object or component oriented development software
Preparation
- Typical entry education
- Some college, no degree
- Related experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
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Source provenance
Labor-market and exposure facts: bls-ep-2025-35. Work profile: onet-31.0. Verify release details on the Sources page.