Career Solutions
Find Your Opportunity
Computer Support Specialists
 
Description

Computer Support Specialists - Provide technical assistance to computer system users. Answer questions or resolve computer problems for clients in person, via telephone or from remote location. May provide assistance concerning the use of computer hardware and software, including printing, installation, word processing, electronic mail, and operating systems.

O*NET code 15-1041.00

 
Wages

The national average annual salary for this occupation is $49,930 per year. Nationally, the average hourly wage for this occupation is $24.00. The average wage in New Mexico is slightly below the national average. In New Mexico, the average hourly wage is $23.39 and most workers in this occupation earn between $14.31 and $27.93 per hour.

In the table click on the "+" sign to expand/collapse areas.

New Mexico Local Wages for Computer Support Specialists
AreaEntry WageAverage WageExperienced Wage
National Annual$49,930
National Hourly$24.00
Statewide Annual$29,773$48,657$58,098
Statewide Hourly$14.31$23.39$27.93
+ Metro Areas
Albuquerque Annual$29,779$48,313$57,579
Hourly $14.32$23.23$27.68
Farmington Annual---
Hourly ---
Las Cruces Annual$28,667$45,702$54,220
Hourly $13.78$21.97$26.07
Santa Fe Annual$37,208$51,579$58,764
Hourly $17.89$24.80$28.25
+ Regions
Central Annual$29,779$48,313$57,579
Hourly $14.32$23.23$27.68
Eastern Annual$26,601$46,941$57,111
Hourly $12.79$22.57$27.46
Northern Annual$32,880$51,928$61,452
Hourly $15.81$24.97$29.54
Southwestern Annual$28,699$45,687$54,180
Hourly $13.80$21.96$26.05

A dash '-' indicates that information is not available for this occupation or area.
Metro Areas refer to Metropolitan Statistical Areas.
Regions refer to Workforce Investment Areas.
For more detailed information about New Mexico wages visit the Occupational Employment Statistics program website. Information displayed represents annual 2010 wages.

 
Career Clusters

Click on the career cluster icon to see a plan of study that will help you complete your Next Step Plan. The Career Plan of Study is a Microsoft Excel document. Many occupations will fit into several career clusters.

 
Job Growth

New Mexico

2008 to 2018

In 2008 there were about 2,690 workers in this occupation in New Mexico. The Department of Workforce Solutions estimates that by 2018 this number will have no growth by about 11 percent and an estmated 2,990 will be employed in this occupation. Compared to other occupations, employment growth in this occupation is growing more slowly than the average. Job opportunities indicate few and keen competition, as there should be about 30 openings each year for workers in this occupation.

In the Table click on the "+" sign to expand/collapse areas

New Mexico Local Needs for Computer Support Specialists
AreaEstimated
Employment
2008
Projected
Employment
2018
Annual
Percent
Change
Total
Annual
Average
Openings
New Mexico2,6902,9901.07%30
+ Metro Areas
Albuquerque1,6801,8300.85%15
Farmington80901.38%1
Las Cruces2703001.38%4
Santa Fe1001201.74%2
+ Regions
Central1,6801,8300.85%15
Eastern2703000.96%3
Northern3604001.06%4
Southwestern3203701.22%4


Metro Areas refer to Metropolitan Statistical Areas.
Regions refer to Workforce Investment Areas.

 
Education

Computer Support Specialists usually need Bachelor's Degree.

Education LevelPercentage
Bachelor's Degree29%
Some College Courses22%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)18%
Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in Personnel Services, Engineering-related Technologies, Vocational Home Economics, Construction Trades, Mechanics and Repairers, Precision Production Trades)15%
High School Diploma (or GED or High School Equivalence Certificate)12%
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate - awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Baccalaureate degree, but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees carrying the title of Master.3%
Master's Degree1%

Information based on O*NET data and is the result of a national survey.

Use this list to find educational opportunities for this occupation. Contact the specific schools directly to find out application requirements and program availability.

In the table click on the "+" sign to expand/collapse areas.

New Mexico Schools with programs for Computer Support Specialists
+ New Mexico State University - Alamogordo
Website:http://nmsua.edu/
TypeStandardized Program Title
Postsec. Awards/Cert./Diplomas; 1-2 yrs.Data Processing and Data Processing Technology/Technician
+ New Mexico State University - Grants
Website:http://grants.nmsu.edu/
TypeStandardized Program Title
Postsec. Awards/Cert./Diplomas; 1-2 yrs.Data Processing and Data Processing Technology/Technician
+ New Mexico State University- Albuquerque
Website:http://abq.nmsu.edu/
TypeStandardized Program Title
Associate's DegreeData Processing and Data Processing Technology/Technician
Postsec. Awards/Cert./Diplomas; 1-2 yrs.Data Processing and Data Processing Technology/Technician
+ NMSU - Dona Ana Community College
Website:http://dabcc.nmsu.edu/
TypeStandardized Program Title
Associate's DegreeData Processing and Data Processing Technology/Technician
Postsec. Awards/Cert./Diplomas; 1-2 yrs.Data Processing and Data Processing Technology/Technician
+ San Juan College
Website:http://www.sjc.cc.nm.us/
TypeStandardized Program Title
Associate's DegreeData Processing and Data Processing Technology/Technician
Postsec. Awards/Cert./Diplomas; 1-2 yrs.Data Processing and Data Processing Technology/Technician
+ San Juan College - East
Website:http://www.sjc.cc.nm.us/pages/1742.asp
TypeStandardized Program Title
Associate's DegreeData Processing and Data Processing Technology/Technician
Postsec. Awards/Cert./Diplomas; 1-2 yrs.Data Processing and Data Processing Technology/Technician
+ San Juan College - West
Website:http://www.sjc.cc.nm.us/pages/1740.asp
TypeStandardized Program Title
Associate's DegreeData Processing and Data Processing Technology/Technician
Postsec. Awards/Cert./Diplomas; 1-2 yrs.Data Processing and Data Processing Technology/Technician
+ Univerisity of New Mexico - Gallup
Website:http://www.gallup.unm.edu/
TypeStandardized Program Title
Associate's DegreeData Processing and Data Processing Technology/Technician
Postsec. Awards/Cert./Diplomas; 1-2 yrs.Data Processing and Data Processing Technology/Technician

This list is updated once a year and is compiled from the NM Department of Higher Education and other sources.

 
License

No New Mexico occupational license is required.

 
WorkKeys Skill Levels
Applied MathematicsApplied TechnologyListeningLocating InformationObersvationReading for InformationTeamworkWriting
54444543

For further information on WorkKeys please visit the ACT-WorkKeys website. Skill levels are provided for individuals who know thier scores.

 
Industires that Hire Computer Support Specialists in New Mexico.
IndustryPercent of Employed
Administrative and Support Services19.5%
Ambulatory Health Care Services1.5%
Building Material and Garden Equipment and Supplies Dealers*
Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing*
Construction of Buildings0.4%
Credit Intermediation and Related Activities2.6%
Educational Services18.1%
Electronics and Appliance Stores*
Hospitals1.5%
Insurance Carriers and Related Activities1.1%
Management of Companies and Enterprises0.9%
Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods1.4%
Oil and Gas Extraction0.9%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services26.8%
Publishing Industries1.1%
Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Org0.6%
Repair and Maintenance*
Self-Employed Workers, Primary Job1.2%
Specialty Trade Contractors*
Support Activities for Mining*
Telecommunications2.6%

* Data is confidential.

Source: NMDWS, Economic Research and Analysis Bureau

 
Common Titles
  • Automatic Data Processing Customer Liaison (ADP Customer Liaison)
  • Call Center Manager
  • Call Center Supervisor
  • Computer Hardware Technician
  • Computer Instructor
  • Computer Lab Assistant
  • Computer Specialist
  • Computer Support Technician
  • Computer Technical Specialist
  • Computer Technician
  • Computer Technologist
  • Computer Technology Instructor
  • Computer Trainer
  • Customer Service Representative
  • Customer Service Technician
  • Customer Support Analyst
  • Desktop Analyst
  • Desktop Support Specialist
  • Desktop Support Technician
  • Education Technician
  • Electronic Data Processing Auditor (EDP Auditor)
  • Help Desk Analyst
  • Help Desk Manager
  • Help Desk Operator
  • Help Desk Representative
  • Help Desk Specialist
  • Help Desk Support Specialist
  • Help Desk Technician
  • Helpdesk Analyst
  • Helpdesk Manager
  • Helpdesk Technician
  • Information Systems Technician
  • Information Technology Analyst (IT Analyst)
  • Information Technology Consultant (IT Consultant)
  • Information Technology Specialist (IT Specialist)
  • Information Technology Specialist, Customer Support
  • Information Technology Technician (IT Technician)
  • Maintenance Technician
  • Micro Computer Specialist
  • Microcomputer Support Specialist
  • Microcomputer Technician
  • Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA)
  • Microsoft Office Specialist
  • Network Administrator
  • Network Control Operator
  • Network Support Analyst
  • Network Support Technician
  • Networking Technician
  • Office Automation Technician
  • Office Systems Coordinator
  • PC Installation Engineer (Personal Computer Installation Engineer)
  • PC Support Specialist (Personal Computer Support Specialist)
  • PC Support Technician (Personal Computer Support Technician)
  • PC Tech (Personal Computer Technician)
  • Printer Technician
  • Product Support Specialist
  • Sales Support Technician
  • Software Installer
  • Software Trainer
  • Supervisor, Network Control Operators
  • Technical Support Analyst
  • Technical Support Manager
  • Technical Support Representative
  • Technical Support Specialist
  • User Support Analyst
  • User Support Analyst Supervisor
  • Work Station Support Specialist

Top