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The differences between software support specialists and service support specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a software support specialist and a service support specialist. Additionally, a software support specialist has an average salary of $62,663, which is higher than the $43,538 average annual salary of a service support specialist.
The top three skills for a software support specialist include customer service, software support and database. The most important skills for a service support specialist are customer service, support services, and social work.
| Software Support Specialist | Service Support Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $62,663 | $43,538 |
| Hourly rate | $30.13 | $20.93 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 122,134 | 125,209 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 58% | Bachelor's Degree, 50% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
The software support specialist works on installing, repairing, maintaining, and troubleshooting software systems used by customers. The software support specialist provides expert services for customers to resolve issues and problems. A software support specialist must have expertise in the software handled and can effectively provide easy to follow instructions for clients and customers to follow. Customer software support is essential to service customers' needs, especially in digital products prone to bugs and performance issues.
A service support specialist's role is to assist clients by addressing and resolving their inquiries, concerns, and complaints. Their responsibilities typically revolve around responding to calls and correspondence, troubleshooting, analyzing customer needs, identifying the root of issues, and providing the necessary corrective measures, all to ensure efficiency and client satisfaction. There are also instances when they must perform follow-up calls, offer products and services, process payments, and even manage accounts. Furthermore, as a service support analyst, it is essential to engage with clients in a friendly yet professional approach, in adherence to the company's policies and regulations.
Software support specialists and service support specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Software Support Specialist | Service Support Specialist | |
| Average salary | $62,663 | $43,538 |
| Salary range | Between $43,000 And $90,000 | Between $26,000 And $72,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Jose, CA | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | Amdocs | Cheniere Energy |
| Best paying industry | - | Technology |
There are a few differences between a software support specialist and a service support specialist in terms of educational background:
| Software Support Specialist | Service Support Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 58% | Bachelor's Degree, 50% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between software support specialists' and service support specialists' demographics:
| Software Support Specialist | Service Support Specialist | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 61.2% Female, 38.8% | Male, 39.2% Female, 60.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.7% Asian, 10.6% White, 56.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 11.8% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.6% Asian, 10.6% White, 56.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |