IT Support Salary in USA 2025
Help desk to system administrator career progression
IT Support Specialist Average
How Much Do IT Support Professionals Earn in 2025?
IT support specialists are technical professionals who provide assistance to users experiencing hardware, software, and network issues. They troubleshoot problems, maintain systems, and ensure technology infrastructure runs smoothly.
2025 IT support salaries show clear career ladder progression: Help desk Tier 1 starts at $35,000–$45,000, desktop support earns $45,000–$60,000, and system administrators command $70,000–$95,000. IT managers reach $90,000–$130,000.
This is an excellent entry point to tech careers—no degree required, certification-friendly, and offers clear advancement paths to network engineering, cybersecurity, cloud architecture, and IT management. BLS reports strong job outlook with continued demand for IT support roles. For context, see the average salary in the US and high-paying jobs without degree.
IT Support Salary Snapshot
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Help Desk Tier 1 | $35,000–$45,000 |
| Help Desk Tier 2 | $45,000–$55,000 |
| Desktop Support | $45,000–$60,000 |
| IT Support Specialist | $50,000–$70,000 |
| System Administrator | $70,000–$95,000 |
| BLS Median (Computer Support) | $60,810 |
| Hourly Rate Range | $17–$45/hour |
Use our salary calculator to convert hourly to annual rates.
IT Support Career Ladder: Salary by Role
Clear progression path from entry-level to management:
| Career Level | Role | Salary Range | Years Experience |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | Help Desk Tier 1 | $35K–$45K | 0–1 years |
| Junior | Help Desk Tier 2 | $45K–$55K | 1–2 years |
| Mid | Desktop Support Technician | $50K–$65K | 2–4 years |
| Senior | IT Support Specialist III | $60K–$75K | 4–6 years |
| Advanced | System Administrator | $70K–$95K | 5–8 years |
| Senior Admin | Senior System Admin | $85K–$115K | 8–12 years |
| Management | IT Manager | $90K–$130K | 10+ years |
Help Desk Tier 1 (Entry Point)
Salary: $35,000–$45,000 ($17–$22/hour)
Focus: Password resets, basic troubleshooting, ticket management, user account setup.
Requirements: No degree required, CompTIA A+ helpful, strong communication skills.
Help Desk Tier 2
Salary: $45,000–$55,000
Focus: Escalated issues, software troubleshooting, network basics, hardware diagnosis.
Desktop Support Technician
Salary: $50,000–$65,000
Focus: On-site support, hardware deployment, imaging, inventory management.
System Administrator
Salary: $70,000–$95,000
Focus: Server management, Active Directory, Group Policy, backup systems, security.
Certifications: CompTIA Server+, Microsoft certifications, Linux certifications add $10K–$20K.
IT Manager
Salary: $90,000–$130,000
Focus: Team leadership, budget management, vendor relations, strategic planning.
IT Support Salary by Location
| Location | IT Support Range | System Admin Range |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $60K–$85K | $95K–$130K |
| New York, NY | $55K–$80K | $90K–$120K |
| Seattle, WA | $55K–$75K | $85K–$115K |
| Washington, DC | $55K–$75K | $85K–$115K |
| Austin, TX | $50K–$70K | $75K–$100K |
| National Average | $45K–$65K | $70K–$95K |
| Rural/Small Markets | $35K–$50K | $55K–$75K |
Remote Work Impact
Many IT support roles now offer remote options, especially Tier 1-2 help desk positions. Remote system administrators are common. Some companies pay location-adjusted rates; others offer flat national salaries. See our remote job salary guide.
IT Support Salary by Industry
| Industry | IT Support Range | Key Factors |
|---|---|---|
| Technology/Software | $55K–$85K | Highest pay, modern tools |
| Finance/Banking | $55K–$80K | Security focus, stability |
| Healthcare | $50K–$75K | HIPAA compliance, EHR systems |
| Government | $50K–$75K | Benefits, job security, clearances |
| Manufacturing | $45K–$65K | Legacy systems, on-site required |
| Education | $40K–$60K | Lower pay, good benefits |
| Retail | $35K–$55K | High volume, varied environments |
Certifications and Salary Impact
| Certification | Salary Premium | Career Level |
|---|---|---|
| CompTIA A+ | +$5K–$10K | Entry/Help Desk |
| CompTIA Network+ | +$5K–$10K | Tier 2/Desktop Support |
| CompTIA Security+ | +$8K–$15K | System Admin/Security |
| Microsoft (MCSA/Azure) | +$10K–$20K | System Admin |
| CCNA (Cisco) | +$10K–$20K | Network focus |
| AWS/Azure Cloud | +$15K–$30K | Cloud Admin |
Certification Path Recommendation
Entry: CompTIA A+ (foundation, help desk requirement)
Year 1–2: CompTIA Network+ (networking basics)
Year 2–3: CompTIA Security+ (security foundation, DoD requirement)
Year 3–5: Microsoft/Linux certifications (system admin specialization)
Year 5+: Cloud certifications (AWS/Azure for career growth)
How to Increase Your IT Support Salary
Earn Certifications
CompTIA A+ adds $5K–$10K, Security+ adds $8K–$15K, Cloud certs add $15K–$30K.
Progress Up the Career Ladder
Help Desk Tier 1 $35K → System Admin $70K–$95K (+100–170% over 5–8 years).
Specialize in High-Demand Areas
Cloud administration ($80K–$120K), cybersecurity ($85K–$130K), or DevOps ($100K–$150K).
Target High-Paying Industries
Tech/finance pay $55K–$85K versus retail/education $35K–$60K (+40–60%).
Relocate to Tech Hubs
SF/NYC pay $55K–$85K versus national $45K–$65K (+20–30%).
Move into Management
IT Managers earn $90K–$130K (+30–50% versus senior individual contributors).
See our salary negotiation guide for strategies.
Career Advancement Paths from IT Support
Infrastructure Track
System Administrator: $70,000–$95,000
Senior System Administrator: $85,000–$115,000
Infrastructure Architect: $120,000–$160,000
Network Track
Network Engineer: $75,000–$110,000
Senior Network Engineer: $100,000–$140,000
Security Track
Security Analyst: $70,000–$100,000
Security Engineer: $100,000–$140,000
Cloud Track
Cloud Administrator: $80,000–$110,000
Cloud Architect: $130,000–$180,000
DevOps Track
DevOps Engineer: $100,000–$150,000
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average IT support salary in 2025?
IT support specialists earn $45,000–$65,000 on average. Help Desk Tier 1 earns $35,000–$45,000, Desktop Support $50,000–$65,000, and System Administrators $70,000–$95,000. BLS reports median of $60,810 for computer support specialists.
Can you make $100K in IT support?
Yes. Senior system administrators earn $85K–$115K, IT managers $90K–$130K. Specialized paths (network engineering, security, cloud) regularly exceed $100K. Tech companies in major metros pay $100K+ for senior IT roles. See jobs that pay $100K.
Do you need a degree for IT support?
No degree required. Certifications (CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+) and demonstrated skills often matter more. Many IT professionals start with certifications and work experience, adding degrees later if desired. See high-paying jobs without degree.
How long does it take to become a system administrator?
Typically 3–5 years from entry-level help desk. Path: Help Desk Tier 1 (0–1 year) → Tier 2 (1–2 years) → Desktop Support (2–4 years) → System Administrator (4–6 years). Certifications and strong performance can accelerate this timeline.
What certifications should I get for IT support?
Start with CompTIA A+ (entry-level foundation). Add Network+ and Security+ within first 2–3 years. For system admin, pursue Microsoft (MCSA/Azure) or Linux certifications. Cloud certifications (AWS/Azure) open highest-paying paths. Each certification adds $5K–$30K in salary potential.