PC Support Technician Salary

If you’re looking to start your career in IT, there are plenty of great entry-level career options that will put you on the right path to a strong future in IT. Here are 6 entry-level IT jobs, the salary you can expect to make, and the cities that report the highest average salaries for each position.

IT Support Specialist

IT support specialists are responsible for setting up, installing, and troubleshooting technology and software. They are also charged with upgrading, servicing, and maintaining all hardware and software for a company. The role may also involve managing a company’s smartphones and tablets in addition to any desktops or notebooks. As an IT support specialist, you will work closely with customers to offer training, solutions, and troubleshooting. You might also have to work with vendors and other clients, so you will need to have strong communication skills.

In order to become an IT support specialist, you will need at least a high school diploma as well as some previous technical experience. Some jobs may also require a two or four year college degree or technical certifications.

According to PayScale, the average salary for an IT support specialist is $45, 126 per year, with a reported salary range of $30, 104 to $65, 129 per year. San Francisco reports the highest average salary for IT support specialists at $56, 000 per year. IT support specialists in New York, NY report an average salary of $55, 000 per year, while those in Boston, MA report an average salary of $53, 000 per year.

Desktop Support Technician

Desktop support technicians are first in line when a problem arises with a company’s desktop computers. As a desktop support technician you will have to troubleshoot problems either in person or remotely and help restore the customer’s computer to working condition. You will be responsible for a range of tasks including configuring, testing, and troubleshooting network and wireless issues, setting up user accounts, and formatting and setting up desktop and laptop computers.

In order to become a desktop support technician, you will generally need a bachelor’s degree in IT or a related field. Some companies will hire employees who have a high school diploma or GED, as long as they have solid experience in IT.

According to PayScale, the average salary for a desktop support technician is $44, 383 per year with a reported salary range of $29, 470 to $58, 988 per year. Desktop support technicians in Washington, DC report the highest average salary of $51, 000 per year. Next is San Francisco, CA, with an average salary of $50, 000 per year and New York, NY with an average salary of $49, 000 per year.