Post job

What is a junior technical specialist and how to become one

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

A junior technical specialist provides technical support and assistance to clients and colleagues. They troubleshoot technical issues, install software and hardware, and maintain computer systems. Junior technical specialists work under the guidance of senior technical staff, learning on the job and gaining technical experience. They may also research new technologies and recommend solutions to improve system efficiency. Junior technical specialists have problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work independently and collaboratively.

What general advice would you give to a junior technical 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.
ScoreJunior Technical SpecialistUS Average
Salary
4.1

Avg. Salary $52,938

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
6.7

Growth rate 10%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
6.0
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.41%

Asian 15.18%

Black or African American 9.63%

Hispanic or Latino 15.20%

Unknown 5.31%

White 54.27%

Gender

female 42.45%

male 57.55%

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

What are the pros and cons of being a junior technical specialist?

Pros

  • Potential for career growth within the company

  • Competitive salary and benefits package

  • Opportunity to work remotely or from home

  • Opportunities for travel and networking

  • Satisfaction of solving complex technical problems

Cons

  • Long hours and weekend work may be required

  • Can be difficult to communicate technical information to non-technical stakeholders

  • May need to work with difficult clients or team members

  • Can be difficult to maintain a work-life balance

  • Can be difficult to find time for personal or professional development outside of work

Junior technical specialist career paths

Key steps to become a junior technical specialist

  1. Explore junior technical specialist education requirements

    Most common junior technical specialist degrees

    Bachelor's

    61.9 %

    Associate

    13.6 %

    Master's

    13.0 %
  2. Start to develop specific junior technical specialist skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Troubleshoot11.86%
    Technical Support7.85%
    PC7.49%
    SQL5.59%
    Data Entry5.17%
  3. Complete relevant junior technical specialist training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New junior technical 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 junior technical specialist based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real junior technical specialist resumes.
  4. Research junior technical specialist duties and responsibilities

    • Manage customer complaints and internal GMP audits for product manufacturing, coordinate FDA audits and recommend corrective actions.
    • Assist with the implementation of Linux servers.
    • Coordinate LAN hardware installation with other technical staff.
    • Provide support on site and remote through VPN connection.
  5. Prepare your junior technical specialist resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your junior technical 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 junior technical 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 junior technical specialist resume templates

    Build a professional junior technical 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 junior technical specialist resume.
    Junior Technical Specialist Resume
    Junior Technical Specialist Resume
    Junior Technical Specialist Resume
    Junior Technical Specialist Resume
    Junior Technical Specialist Resume
    Junior Technical Specialist Resume
    Junior Technical Specialist Resume
    Junior Technical Specialist Resume
    Junior Technical Specialist Resume
  6. Apply for junior technical specialist jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a junior technical 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 junior technical specialist job

Zippi

Are you a junior technical specialist?

Share your story for a free salary report.

Average junior technical specialist salary

The average junior technical specialist salary in the United States is $52,938 per year or $25 per hour. Junior technical specialist salaries range between $32,000 and $87,000 per year.

Average junior technical specialist salary
$52,938 Yearly
$25.45 hourly

What am I worth?

salary-calculator

How do junior technical specialists rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Junior technical 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 junior technical 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