Post job

What is a data support specialist and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
Quoted expert
Kate Marek Ph.D.

Data support specialists are responsible for managing and securing sensitive information on organizations' data systems. This way, they help ensure that all private information is kept secure, which, in turn, minimizes or eliminates the risk of an organization facing a legal problem in case of a data breach.

Furthermore, data support specialists perform duties like implementing data security strategies, ensuring the accuracy of data entered in a database, identifying weak points in network systems, and creating instructional materials for the benefit of end-users. Moreover, data support specialists are usually expected to provide administrative support or technical troubleshooting services as well.

With a degree in computer science, information technology, or something else relevant to the industry, you are one step closer to becoming a data support specialist. But apart from education, you may also need to have at least six months to a year of relevant work experience to qualify for a position.

As a data support specialist, you can expect to earn an annual salary of around $63,000 on average.

What general advice would you give to a data support specialist?

Kate Marek Ph.D.Kate Marek Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Director and Professor, Dominican University

Choose an organization in tune with one's values. Look for a job in growth areas, such as data asset management, data analysis, etc.
ScoreData Support SpecialistUS Average
Salary
3.8

Avg. Salary $49,083

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
6.7

Growth rate 10%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
6.5
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.41%

Asian 10.57%

Black or African American 11.96%

Hispanic or Latino 15.58%

Unknown 5.33%

White 56.16%

Gender

female 58.43%

male 41.57%

Age - 41
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 41
Stress level
6.7

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
6.5

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
7.4

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

Data support specialist career paths

Key steps to become a data support specialist

  1. Explore data support specialist education requirements

    Most common data support specialist degrees

    Bachelor's

    57.9 %

    Associate

    20.9 %

    High School Diploma

    9.3 %
  2. Start to develop specific data support specialist skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Qa Testing26.12%
    Data Support15.97%
    Data Analysis7.38%
    Troubleshoot6.31%
    Patient Data4.97%
  3. Complete relevant data support specialist training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New data support specialists learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a data support specialist based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real data support specialist resumes.
  4. Research data support specialist duties and responsibilities

    • Assist users of varying PC and application skills levels and manage through a wide variety of customer scenarios.
    • Require knowledge of technical issues and ability to troubleshoot.
    • Maintain EDI and EFT enrollment with payers.
    • Create tickets, troubleshoot and resolve client issues.
  5. Prepare your data support specialist resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your data support specialist resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a data support specialist resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable data support specialist resume templates

    Build a professional data support specialist resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your data support specialist resume.
    Data Support Specialist Resume
    Data Support Specialist Resume
    Data Support Specialist Resume
    Data Support Specialist Resume
    Data Support Specialist Resume
    Data Support Specialist Resume
    Data Support Specialist Resume
    Data Support Specialist Resume
    Data Support Specialist Resume
  6. Apply for data support specialist jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a data support specialist job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first data support specialist job

Zippi

Are you a data support specialist?

Share your story for a free salary report.

Average data support specialist salary

The average data support specialist salary in the United States is $49,083 per year or $24 per hour. Data support specialist salaries range between $30,000 and $78,000 per year.

Average data support specialist salary
$49,083 Yearly
$23.60 hourly

What am I worth?

salary-calculator

How do data support specialists rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Data support specialist reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Nov 2023
Pros

You get to help a lot of people in many different ways as well as learning new things about technology

Cons

I have aids now due to the painfulness of sitting down all day


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2020
Pros

I decided to go to technical support because I've been fascinated by technology all my life and I love working with the people as well. I want to use my technical know-how to solve directly the problems that customers have. I want to be the person who makes life easier and more enjoyable for people who have had a problem. This is what I like most as a technical Support.

Cons

I don't like sitting around being inactive. So I'll keep my self always busy


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Apr 2020
Pros

I enjoy the challenges and learning new things . Technology is always evolving.

Cons

Customer is unwilling to provide you with necessary information in order to assist them.


Working as a data support specialist? Share your experience anonymously.
Overall rating*
Career growth
Work/Life balance
Pay/Salary

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Browse computer and mathematical jobs