How much does an IT help desk make?
a year · about $30 an hour
A typical IT help desk in the United States makes $61,860 a year, about $30 an hour, about the same as a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
Help desk workers answer calls, chats, or emails from people whose computer or printer is acting up. They ask questions, test fixes, guide users step by step, set up or repair devices, and record what they did.
Did you know? Surprise: in 2025, more than basic people skills were required for 97% of US computer user support jobs—listening matters alongside tech know-how.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $40,980 and $100,540How do you become one?
In the US, finish high school and build computer skills; some college courses can help, and a diploma plus relevant IT certificates may qualify you. Employers may require product-specific certificates, and new hires often receive on-the-job training.
School needed: Vocational school or a few years' experience
Good for people who like keeping things organized and building and doing
Why does pay differ?
In the US, experience, useful IT certificates, and more complex or specialized work can lead to different pay. Employer, industry, and location matter too; some help desks cover nights or weekends, so hours and shifts can also affect earnings.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in District of Columbia ($80,950), lowest in Arkansas ($46,360).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,980 | $61,860 | $100,540 | about 717,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $80,950 | about 3,000 |
| California | $79,570 | about 74,000 |
| Washington | $75,220 | about 22,000 |
| Massachusetts | $75,070 | about 18,000 |
| New York | $72,560 | about 39,000 |
Official definition: Provide technical assistance to computer users. Answer questions or resolve computer problems for clients in person, via telephone, or electronically. May provide assistance concerning the use of computer hardware and software, including printing, installation, word processing, electronic mail, and operating systems. Excludes “Network and Computer Systems Administrators” (15-1244).
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/computer-support-specialists
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/15-1232.00
- www.bls.gov/ors/factsheet/computer-user-support-specialist.htm
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY