How to hire a computer support specialist

How to hire a computer support specialist, step by step

Here's a step-by-step computer support specialist hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a computer support specialist job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new computer support specialist
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a computer support specialist do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your computer support specialist job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a computer support specialist for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a computer support specialist to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a computer support specialist that fits the bill.

   The following list breaks down different types of computer support specialists and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Computer Support Specialist	Description	Hourly rate
   Computer Support Specialist	Computer support specialists provide help and advice to people and organizations using computer software or equipment. Some, called computer network support specialists, support information technology (IT) employees within their organization... Show more	$21-43
   Systems Support	A systems support agent is responsible for resolving system applications and network issues, performing technical configuration, and upgrading systems infrastructure. A systems support representative conducts regular maintenance and diagnostic tests on the computer applications to ensure its optimal performance and efficiency to support business operations and avoid delays in deliverables... Show more	$21-42
   Computer Technician	Computer technicians are skilled information technology professionals who handle concerns related to computers. They are responsible for assisting clients in software installations, troubleshooting needs, and repair needs... Show more	$13-26

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Computer Support
   • Troubleshoot
   • Technical Support
   • Customer Service
   • Desk Support
   • Computer System
   • Network Printers
   • Mac
   • OS
   • User Support
   • Computer Software
   • Technical Assistance
   • Linux
   • Help-Desk Support

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Monitor and manage end-user LAN/WLAN connectivity, and utilize diagnostic tools for monitoring and testing physical networking performance.
   • Interface daily with customers providing hardware and software support for a relational database design and written in INGRES using SQL.
   • Perform domain registration, connect peripheral equipment, and troubleshoot workstations/blackberries remotely using SMS application.
   • Deploy new machines, installing OS, applications, drivers, and network configurations.
   • Participate in vulnerability resolution for both OS and specific applications on the OIG network.
   • Establish a new process for imaging machines using Linux and write documentation for it.

   More computer support specialist duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your computer support specialist job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A computer support specialist can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, computer support specialists' average salary in alabama is 38% less than in washington.
   • Seniority. Entry-level computer support specialists 52% less than senior-level computer support specialists.
   • Certifications. A computer support specialist with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a computer support specialist's salary.

   Average computer support specialist salary

   $63,926yearly

   $30.73 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level computer support specialist salary

   $44,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 20, 2025

   Average computer support specialist salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$80,316	$39
   2	Washington	$78,452	$38
   3	Pennsylvania	$68,288	$33
   4	Connecticut	$67,885	$33
   5	Delaware	$67,572	$32
   6	New Jersey	$67,475	$32
   7	Arizona	$65,773	$32
   8	Rhode Island	$65,156	$31
   9	Minnesota	$65,096	$31
   10	New York	$63,152	$30
   11	Ohio	$63,068	$30
   12	Texas	$59,824	$29
   13	Illinois	$59,416	$29
   14	North Carolina	$58,804	$28
   15	Georgia	$57,994	$28
   16	District of Columbia	$57,793	$28
   17	Missouri	$54,516	$26
   18	Florida	$48,505	$23
   19	Arkansas	$48,201	$23

   Average computer support specialist salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Google	$109,044	$52.42	166
   2	Brocade Services Corporation	$108,851	$52.33
   3	KLA	$102,808	$49.43	25
   4	TIBCO Software	$100,887	$48.50
   5	Tellabs	$100,669	$48.40
   6	Informatica	$98,540	$47.38
   7	Cisco	$97,702	$46.97	42
   8	Quest Software	$97,395	$46.82
   9	Varian Medical Systems	$97,166	$46.71
   10	Yahoo	$97,017	$46.64
   11	Microsoft	$96,271	$46.28	53
   12	Applied Materials	$96,238	$46.27	34
   13	American Century Investments	$94,114	$45.25	1
   14	Juniper Networks	$91,506	$43.99
   15	Philips	$89,021	$42.80	15
   16	AvePoint	$88,039	$42.33	1
   17	Activision Blizzard	$85,825	$41.26
   18	JDA Software Inc	$85,054	$40.89
   19	EPAM Systems	$83,555	$40.17	1
   20	HP	$83,343	$40.07	9

4. Writing a computer support specialist job description

   A computer support specialist job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a computer support specialist job description:

   Computer support specialist job description example

   Admiral Beverage believes in investing in its people, business partners, and communities, to continually grow and offer the best products and services in the region. With the strength of a large company combined with a small-town, friendly, family-driven mindset; we are here to grow with you. Admiral offers: competitive wages, a full-scale benefit program including health, dental, and vision coverage, 401(k) and retirement programs, paid leave and holidays, and much, much more!
   
   Current Admiral Beverage Employees (excluding Contractors): Please apply via your internal Workday Account.
   Job Description
   
   Primary Location:
   Idaho Falls, Idaho
   
   Computer Support Specialist: Installs, modifies, and makes minor repairs to hardware and software systems, tracks inventory and provides technical assistance and training to system users by performing the following duties.
   
   Inspects equipment and reads order sheet listing user requirements to prepare equipment for delivery.Installs or assists installation and maintenance of hardware and peripheral components such as monitors, keyboards, printers, and disk drives on user's premises.Loads and maintains specified software packages such as operating systems, word processing, spreadsheet and support software and update (network interface, virus protection, etc.) programs into computers.Tracks inventory of hardware and software components and software standardization.Enters commands and observes system functions to verify correct system operation. Instructs user in use of equipment, software, and manuals.Documents and maintains installation and configuration procedures and specifications.Answers client's inquiries in person and via telephone concerning local and network systems operation.Diagnoses system hardware, software, and operator problems. Recommends or performs remedial actions to correct problems based on knowledge of system operation.Refers major hardware problems to service personnel for correction.Attends technical conferences and seminars to keep abreast of new software and hardware product developments, as assigned.Develops training materials such as exercises and visual displays.Trains users on software and hardware on-site or in classroom or recommends outside contractors to provide training.Other duties may be assigned by the immediate supervisor or other supervisor at any time.
   
   $22.75 - $30.70 / hr DOE

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right computer support specialist for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with computer support specialists they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit computer support specialists who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your computer support specialist job on Zippia to find and recruit computer support specialist candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites such as dice, engineering.com, stack overflow, it job pro.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit computer support specialists, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

   Sometimes, it's not enough to interview computer support specialist candidates, so you can ask them to do a test project. If you are not a technical person and don't know what a test project should be, you can use these websites:

   • TestDome
   • CodeSignal
   • Testlify
   • BarRaiser
   • Coderbyte

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new computer support specialist

   Once you've decided on a perfect computer support specialist candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire a computer support specialist?