IT Support Technician
🎧Helps users and staff fix problems with software and hardware by phone, chat or in person. The first line people call when “nothing works”.
Prospects & pay
What the work is like
💼 Job market
🇺🇸 $83.1k a year on average
Computer support specialists — US: Census ACS 2020–24 (full-time), BLS projections 2025–35
🇬🇧 £35.1k median a year · 139,000 jobs
IT user support technicians — UK: ONS ASHE 2025 (full-time)
🤖 AI & automation
AI chatbots handle most routine requests. Complex cases, on-site hardware work and second- and third-line support that need deeper skills remain.
Who it suits
Interests: ⚙️ Tech and engineering, 🤝 Helping and caring, 💻 Coding and digital, 🗂️ Order, paperwork, systems.
Key strengths: understanding people, logic, attention to detail.
Where to study
- Vocational IT college course: BTEC / T-Level (UK), associate degree (US), Ausbildung (DE)
- Apprenticeship IT support technician apprenticeship (UK)
- Course CompTIA A+, Google IT Support certificate
Key school subjects (A-level / IB / AP): Computer Science, English Literature.
🧗 A college course, an apprenticeship or CompTIA A+ / Google IT Support certificates; no degree required. A good entry point into IT, leading to sysadmin, networking or security.
Things to know
🌙 Night shifts and on-call
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