Entry-Level IT Support Jobs Overview: Skills, Education, Salaries

Entry-level IT support jobs are an excellent way to learn about the profession, develop key skills, and eventually move into more specialized opportunities. These positions fall under the computer and information technology sector, which is slated to grow much faster than average between 2022 and 2032, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) [1]. 

In this article, you can learn about different types of IT support staff roles as well as the skills required to perform them.

What do entry-level IT support staff do?

Generally, entry-level IT roles provide guidance and technical support to users of hardware and software. These users can be internal members of the company or customers. Responsibilities can include installing or fixing hardware and software, troubleshooting user issues, manning the help desk, and maintaining networks and computer systems. They typically provide this support via phone, email, chat (via websites), or social media.

IT support is a vast field with many different specializations. You can use this type of entry-level technical support role to move up in a variety of careers.

Read more: 10 Entry-Level IT Jobs and What You Can Do to Get Hired

10 entry-level IT jobs (with salaries)

Entry-level IT support jobs cover a range of roles, from desk specialists to junior analysts and administrators. Starting salaries for these positions in the US typically fall in the range of $40,000 to $55,000 per year.

Below, you'll find 10 entry-level IT jobs along with their respective salaries. The following figures were sourced from Glassdoor in November 2023.

Read more: How to Become a Help Desk Technician in 3 Steps

How to get an entry-level IT support job

Jobs in IT at entry level may get you in the door, but you still may need a high school diploma, associate degree, bachelor's degree, or equivalent experience to qualify for these roles. This is especially important if you’re looking to progress to more senior positions, which typically require a degree. Some companies also may expect you to have additional certifications.

Degree paths for IT professionals

Degree majors to consider for an IT career include:

• Information Technology

• Computer Science

• Computer Engineering

• Information Technology Management

A bachelor's degree may not be necessary at this level, but companies may expect that level of education as you pursue more advanced roles. Consider earning a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Birla Institute of Technology and Science:

Learn more: Do I Need an Information Technology Degree? 4 Things to Consider

Popular entry-level IT certifications to consider

Certifications and Professional Certificates boost your credentials and offer opportunities to develop specific knowledge and skills you can use in your daily work. Earning a Professional Certificate or certification can help you stand out against other applicants, and some employers may expect you to earn them as part of the job requirements. Some options to consider pursuing include:

• AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner

• Cisco Certified Technician (CCT)

• Comp TIA A+

• Apple Certified Support Professional (ACSP)

• ITIL 4 Foundation

• CompTIA Network+

• Microsoft 365 Fundamentals

• Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA)

• CompTIA IT Fundamentals+ (ITF+)

• Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)

• Google IT Support Professional Certificate Program

In the Google IT Support Professional Certificate program, I learned skills to assist customers with end-to-end support, ranging from identifying problems to troubleshooting and debugging.

— Janelle H.

Read more: 10 Essential IT Certifications

What workplace skills do I need for an entry-level IT job?‎

Workplace skills you may need for an entry-level IT job include communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and resourcefulness. Many of these skills can transfer across different roles, and developing them can improve your marketability as an IT professional. The following skills may be helpful throughout your career:

• Analytical ability

• Communication

• Creativity

• Desire to help others

• Organization

• Perseverance

• Problem-solving

• Resourcefulness

Read more: 7 In-Demand IT Skills to Boost Your Resume in 2023

Career paths after entry-level IT support roles

An entry-level IT support role can be a great stepping stone into more senior positions. It allows you to develop skills, gain experience, and prove your ability to an organization that may have roles to fill. Alternatively, you may take the knowledge you learn of systems and software and apply them to different organizations.

IT support typically falls into three levels:

1. Entry-level is where you start, providing technical support, usually in a customer service role via phone, email, or chat. 

2. As you gain experience, you can look to progress to level two, which generally requires two to three years of experience and some certifications. This level is less likely to be customer-service related and usually involves having some specialist subject knowledge. 

3. Level three moves further away from customers and troubleshooting. It is often related to product development and is highly specialized. This requires three to five years of experience and further relevant certifications. After level three, you may be able to enter even more senior positions at the manager or even director level, such as technical support manager or chief technology officer (CTO). 

Read more: 7 IT Career Paths and How to Get Started

Tips to get your resume ready for IT support job applications

When applying for jobs in IT at the entry level, you may not have a lot or any experience. You may still be able to find a job as long as you highlight your technical and transferable skills and any relevant education you have. These tips can help you craft a resume showing who you are and what you do.

• Introduce yourself: Start with a strong summary and objective to demonstrate your interest in the industry and what you have to offer. 

• Education: If your experience is limited, start with your recent education. Make sure you also include any certifications, as this can set you apart from other applicants.

• Experience: Include any experience you have, whether it is unpaid, voluntary, or a personal project. Anything that can demonstrate your skills can be important to include. 

• Skills: Include a skills section to list hard and soft skills related to the job. This is where you include your technical skills and programs and tools you have mastered.

Always remember to tailor your resume to the role you’re applying for and show how your skills and experience align with the employer's needs.

Read more: 16 Resume Tips to Help You Apply with Confidence

Take the next step toward an entry-level IT support job

Certifications and Professional Certificates are important in the IT field. They verify your knowledge and skills and add weight to your resume. Some employers will ask for specific certifications, but having any in your field can set you apart. Take a closer look at the number of options available on Coursera, including Professional Certificates offered by industry leaders like the Google IT Support Professional Certificate or the IBM Technical Support Professional Certificate.