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What is a senior technical support specialist and how to become one

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

Most of us have had contact with tech support at one time or another. When your PC stops working or you encounter an app that won't install, tech support comes to the rescue. They help with software and hardware problems and everything in between. Technical support specialists work at computer stores, tech companies, and pretty much any business where computers are used.

A day in the life of a tech support specialist may include receiving calls from clients, resolving network problems, answering emails, visiting clients that are offsite, and repairing faulty computers.

Senior technical support specialists are usually the heads of the tech support department. They coordinate the activities of other tech support staff and handle day-to-day administrative duties. Senior tech support may also assist junior staff in resolving troublesome problems.

Many employers prefer skills to certification when hiring tech support staff. However, a bachelor's degree in computer engineering can be an advantage. The position also requires experience working with computers.

What general advice would you give to a senior technical 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.
ScoreSenior Technical Support SpecialistUS Average
Salary
5.7

Avg. Salary $72,587

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
6.7

Growth rate 10%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
6.4
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.41%

Asian 11.39%

Black or African American 11.18%

Hispanic or Latino 16.03%

Unknown 5.36%

White 55.63%

Gender

female 18.05%

male 81.95%

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

Senior technical support specialist career paths

Key steps to become a senior technical support specialist

  1. Explore senior technical support specialist education requirements

    Most common senior technical support specialist degrees

    Bachelor's

    55.0 %

    Associate

    27.7 %

    Master's

    5.5 %
  2. Start to develop specific senior technical support specialist skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Customer Service16.57%
    Printers6.09%
    Phone Calls5.56%
    Desktop Support3.75%
    Remote Desktop3.41%
  3. Complete relevant senior technical support specialist training and internships

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

    • Manage configurations of SysMaster VoIP servers to establish call-routing between origination & termination points.
    • Maintain district servers (web, ftp, dhcp, dns, and file servers )
    • Search SQL databases for system errors to escalate report issues to development for faster resolution.
    • Review stored procedures within SQL database that compute sales tax reports and customer reports and resolve bugs.
  5. Get senior technical support specialist experience

    Generally, it takes 1-2 years to become a senior technical support specialist. The most common roles before becoming a senior technical support specialist include technical support specialist, computer technician team lead and customer service representative.
  6. Prepare your senior technical support specialist resume

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

    Build a professional senior technical 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 senior technical support specialist resume.
    Senior Technical Support Specialist Resume
    Senior Technical Support Specialist Resume
    Senior Technical Support Specialist Resume
    Senior Technical Support Specialist Resume
    Senior Technical Support Specialist Resume
    Senior Technical Support Specialist Resume
    Senior Technical Support Specialist Resume
    Senior Technical Support Specialist Resume
    Senior Technical Support Specialist Resume
  7. Apply for senior technical support specialist jobs

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

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Average senior technical support specialist salary

The average senior technical support specialist salary in the United States is $72,587 per year or $35 per hour. Senior technical support specialist salaries range between $48,000 and $108,000 per year.

Average senior technical support specialist salary
$72,587 Yearly
$34.90 hourly

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How do senior technical support specialists rate their job?

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Senior technical 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 Jan 2022
Pros

Working with The people

Cons

There was nothing to like. Everyone was polite an hard workers


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


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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.

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