IT Technician Salaries (Certifications & Pay)
IT support pay depends more on the job, location, experience, and duties than on a certificate alone. In May 2023, BLS median annual pay was $60,810 for computer user support specialists and $71,530 for computer network support specialists. These are national occupation medians, not entry-level pay or promised earnings. Compare local jobs before choosing training.
A common mistake is to search for one “IT technician salary” and treat it as a reliable pay offer. That label can cover help desk, desktop, and network support work, which differ in tasks and pay. A certification may help show your skills, but it does not set your wage.
I use a simple test: start with the job you want, compare its local postings and pay data, then choose training that closes a real skills gap. The steps below help you compare roles, credentials, and education without relying on salary promises.
IT technician roles and entry requirements
IT support roles involve helping people use computers, software, and networks. The title “IT technician” is broad, so pay research works best when you compare a specific job title and its duties. A bachelor’s degree is not a universal entry requirement, but employers may ask for experience, technical skills, or a degree.
BLS reports two useful national benchmarks for May 2023:
| BLS occupation | Median annual pay | What the work generally covers |
|---|---|---|
| Computer user support specialists | $60,810 | Helping users solve computer, software, and access problems |
| Computer network support specialists | $71,530 | Supporting network systems and related equipment |
These figures are medians: half of workers in each occupation earned more and half earned less. They are not starting salaries, local estimates, or a measure of what a certificate adds. Check the latest BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics before making a decision, since the figures above are from May 2023.
Job titles can also blur together. “Help desk technician” often points to user support, while “network support technician” may include more network-focused tasks. Read the duties, not just the title. Note required experience, tools, schedule, and whether the role involves on-site work or remote support.
Before paying for training, review a sample of local postings for the role you want. Record common skills and credentials, then compare them with your current skills. This gives you a target based on employers near you, rather than a broad national label.
How certifications relate to pay
A certification is proof that you met an issuer’s requirements for a set of skills or knowledge. It can help employers assess your preparation, but it does not guarantee a job or a set pay increase. Employers set their own requirements, and many weigh experience and demonstrated skills as well.
CompTIA A+ is a common credential for IT support. Candidates must pass the two exams in the currently offered A+ series. Exam codes, topics, fees, and renewal rules can change, so confirm them on CompTIA’s official site before you plan or pay.
For network-focused roles, Cisco CCNA may match some employers’ needs. Check Cisco’s current exam blueprint and any prerequisites directly with Cisco. Neither A+ nor CCNA is a universal license required to work in IT support. A posting may prefer a credential, require one, or not mention it.
| Credential or route | When it may fit | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| CompTIA A+ | User support or entry-level roles that ask for broad support skills | Current two-exam series, fees, objectives, and renewal rules |
| Cisco CCNA | Network support roles that list Cisco networking skills | Current exam blueprint and prerequisites |
| College certificate | A structured course of study with labs or transferable credits | Total net cost, lab access, transfer rules, and employer fit |
| Degree program | Roles that value a degree, or a longer-term education plan | Accreditation, completion costs, schedule, and job outcome methods |
Be careful when comparing pay by certification. A worker with a credential may also have more experience, work in a higher-paying area, or handle more complex duties. A salary difference between two groups does not show that the credential caused the difference. Compare roles with similar duties, locations, and experience before drawing conclusions.
The practical test is whether the credential appears in postings for your target role and helps you prove a skill you need. If employers do not ask for it and you cannot explain what skill gap it fills, pause before spending the money.
Training, skills, and cost checks
Training is useful when it builds skills employers need and gives you a way to demonstrate them. You can learn through employer-sponsored courses, community-college certificates, or accredited degree programs. Compare the full cost and time, not just the advertised tuition or a headline about graduate salaries.
| Training route | Possible advantage | Questions to ask before enrolling |
|---|---|---|
| Employer-sponsored training | May link learning to a current job or internal role | Is there a fee, repayment rule, or work commitment? |
| Community-college certificate | May offer instructor support and hands-on labs | What is the net cost, schedule, and credit-transfer policy? |
| Accredited degree program | May provide broader study and credits toward further education | Is the school accredited, and what are total costs and completion rates? |
| Self-study with certification | Can focus on a defined exam or skill set | Are you able to practice with real tasks and show your work? |
For a college program, check institutional accreditation using the U.S. Department of Education’s Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs or CHEA’s directory. Ask the school for transfer-credit terms in writing. A certification is an issuer credential; it is not a college degree or institutional accreditation.
Build core skills alongside study. Useful areas include troubleshooting, operating systems, hardware, customer service, and networking basics. Hands-on practice can help you explain how you approach a problem. Keep a record of projects, such as a documented troubleshooting task or a small lab exercise, and describe your role and result honestly.
If a private program markets a high salary, ask how it calculated that figure. Request cohort-level completion and placement rates, the definition of “placed,” the date and source of salary data, and the share of students included. Compare those details with total net cost and local job requirements. A promised salary is not a sound basis for taking on debt.
Salary scenarios and career progression
A career scenario is a planning example, not a salary forecast. It shows how skills, job duties, and credentials might line up across roles. Your pay depends on the employer, location, experience, and responsibilities, so use current local postings and wage data to estimate your own range.
Illustrative scenario 1: moving toward user support. A student sees local postings for help desk work that repeatedly mention operating systems, customer service, and troubleshooting. They compare those needs with their training, build practice evidence, and consider A+ if it matches the postings. The next step is to apply and track interview feedback, not assume the certificate will raise pay.
Illustrative scenario 2: moving toward network support. A working user-support technician wants to shift toward network duties. They review postings for network support, note recurring skills and experience requirements, and then decide whether focused networking study or CCNA is relevant. They compare the role’s local pay with user-support data, while recognizing that the two national BLS medians are not individual salary predictions.
Use this sequence to build a flexible plan:
- Choose a target role. Pick user support, desktop support, or network support. Search local listings under several related titles.
- Check the requirements. Track repeated skills, experience, credentials, schedule, and pay range. Separate “required” from “preferred.”
- Close a specific gap. Use coursework, labs, projects, or a credential tied to a skill employers request.
- Apply and measure results. Track applications, interviews, offers, job title, location, pay, and benefits.
- Review the next move. If employers keep asking for a skill you lack, update your plan. Avoid collecting credentials without a clear job goal.
When comparing offers, look beyond annual pay. Consider hours, benefits, commute, on-call work, schedule, and the duties you will gain. A role with a lower starting offer may still fit your goals, but compare the full terms rather than guessing at future raises.
FAQ about IT support pay and credentials
These answers summarize how to use wage data and credentials when planning an IT support career. Pay varies by job title, employer, location, experience, and duties. Treat national medians as reference points, then confirm current figures and requirements with BLS and the employers you are targeting.
What is the median pay for an IT support technician?
“IT support technician” is not one BLS occupation. For May 2023, BLS reported a $60,810 median for computer user support specialists and $71,530 for computer network support specialists.
Does CompTIA A+ raise your salary?
A+ does not guarantee a raise or a specific salary. Its value depends on whether employers for your target role request it and whether it helps you demonstrate relevant skills.
Do I need a degree to become an IT technician?
A bachelor’s degree is not a universal entry requirement for IT support. Some employers may require a degree, experience, or specific technical skills, so check local job postings.
Is A+ required for help desk jobs?
No. Employers set their own requirements. Some may prefer or require A+, while others focus on experience, practical skills, or other qualifications.
Is CCNA worth it for IT support?
It may fit a goal in network support when local postings ask for Cisco networking skills. Check the current Cisco exam details and compare them with the job requirements before enrolling.
Which IT support jobs pay more?
The May 2023 BLS median was higher for computer network support specialists than for computer user support specialists. That comparison does not predict an individual’s pay or prove that a credential causes higher earnings.
How can I check local IT technician salaries?
Search current local postings using specific job titles, then compare them with the latest BLS wage data. Note location, experience, duties, and whether a listed figure is a range or an offered wage.
How do I avoid overpaying for IT training?
Compare total net cost, time to complete, hands-on practice, accreditation where relevant, and transfer rules. Ask programs for clear placement and salary methods, and verify claims before borrowing or enrolling.
(This article was written by one of our staff writers, James Holloway. Visit our Meet the Team page.)
