What does a computer support specialist do?

A computer support specialist provides technical support for a company, organization's customers, or their fellow staff members. The computer support specialist will use computer software and equipment to assist them in providing advice and help to their employer and fellow employees.

How To Become A Remote Support Specialist: What It Is and Career Path

What is a remote support specialist and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted expert

Kate Marek Ph.D.

The job of a Remote Support Specialist is to help customers get through technical issues. Remote support engineers also serve customers by installing software, answering questions, or troubleshoot tech-related problems. These guys are known to possess the most excellent customer service and communication skills.

Remote Support Specialists work remotely via emails, phones, social media, and other IT means, unlike your traditional customer care service attendant. Unfortunately for those looking to engage in this job on a part-time basis, this is strictly a full-time job; they are expected to start from early morning hours till late nights, typically the wrong job for a parent. It all has to do with a passion for the job, which is why the major skill for getting this job is the ability to help others and a strong understanding of technology.

Other skills needed for this job include Desktop Computer Operations, communication skills, analytical skills, technological skills, and remote support. As for academic qualification for this job, aside from having a degree in IT, Customer Relations, or related courses, there is also the need to have industry certifications like CompTIA A+ certification or Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA). The salaries range from $39,000 to $105,000 per annum, depending on the country.

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

Kate Marek Ph.D.

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.

ScoreRemote Support SpecialistUS Average

Salary

3.4

Avg. Salary $43,180

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 10.94%

Black or African American 11.92%

Hispanic or Latino 16.06%

Unknown 5.37%

White 55.31%

Gender

female 38.68%

male 61.32%

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

Key steps to become a remote support specialist

Explore remote support specialist education requirements

Most common remote support specialist degrees

Bachelor's

53.6 %

Associate

25.8 %

High School Diploma

8.2 %

Start to develop specific remote support specialist skills

Skills	Percentages
Customer Service	39.59%
PC	17.02%
Technical Support	9.71%
Remote Support	5.55%
Technical Assistance	5.53%

Complete relevant remote support specialist training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New remote 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 remote support specialist based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real remote support specialist resumes.

Research remote support specialist duties and responsibilities

Manage the migration of legacy internal applications to modern ERP systems.
Team player that works with other departments to resolve payroll problems, improve processes and accomplish goals.
Utilize VNC remote control solution in support financial industry applications while employing remedy call tracking system to manage problem tickets.
Use of Salesforce to both manage user account access and create/remedy trouble tickets generate from both customer and internal inquiries.

Prepare your remote support specialist resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your remote 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 remote 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 remote support specialist resume templates

Build a professional remote 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 remote support specialist resume.

Apply for remote support specialist jobs

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

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

How do remote support specialists rate their job?

-/5

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Remote support specialist reviews

A zippia user wrote a review on Nov 2023

Cons

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

Pros

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

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

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.

What is a remote support specialist and how to become one

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

Remote support specialist career paths

Key steps to become a remote support specialist

Explore remote support specialist education requirements

Most common remote support specialist degrees

Start to develop specific remote support specialist skills

Complete relevant remote support specialist training and internships

Research remote support specialist duties and responsibilities

Prepare your remote support specialist resume

Choose from 10+ customizable remote support specialist resume templates

Apply for remote support specialist jobs

How did you land your first remote support specialist job

Average remote support specialist salary

How do remote support specialists rate their job?

Remote support specialist reviews

Remote support specialist FAQs

What does a computer support specialist do?

Search for remote support specialist jobs

Remote support specialist jobs by state