Career comparison
Computer Repair Technician vs. IT Support Specialist
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
IT support specialists earn more at the median ($61,860 vs. $47,810), while IT support specialists usually get to work faster (3–6 months of training). Computer repair technicians fix computers, printers, ATMs and other office technology. IT support specialists help people solve computer, account and network problems: the classic way into IT.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Computer Repair Technician | IT Support Specialist | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $47,810 ($22.99/hr) | $61,860 ($29.74/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $35,910 – $71,730 | $40,980 – $100,540 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | -3.0% (a projected decline) | -3.5% (a projected decline) |
| Openings per year | 6,100 | 39,700 |
| Typical entry education | Some college, no degree | Some college, no degree |
| Training time | 3–12 months | 3–6 months |
| Key credential | CompTIA A+ | CompTIA A+ |
| Work setting | Technicians work in repair shops, retail stores, corporate IT departments and at customer sites. | IT support specialists work for companies of every kind, managed service providers (MSPs), schools and government. |
What each job does
Computer Repair Technician
- Diagnose hardware and software problems
- Replace failed components
- Remove malware and reinstall systems
- Recover and transfer data
- Service printers, copiers and POS systems
IT Support Specialist
- Respond to help desk tickets, calls and chats
- Troubleshoot hardware, software and connectivity issues
- Set up and configure computers, phones and peripherals
- Manage user accounts, passwords and permissions
- Install updates and support security tools
How they’re similar
Both careers involve problem-solving and indoor work. Both are part of the technology field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose computer repair technician if…
- I like taking things apart and fixing them
- I enjoy troubleshooting
- I’m patient with customers
Choose IT support specialist if…
- I enjoy fixing tech problems
- I stay patient when people are frustrated
- I like learning new technology
Still torn? Take the Computer Repair Technician fit quiz and the IT Support Specialist fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, computer repair technician or IT support specialist?
IT Support Specialists earn more at the median: $61,860 versus $47,810 for computer repair technicians, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
IT Support Specialists typically train faster (3–6 months) than computer repair technicians (3–12 months).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects computer repair technicians to grow -3.0% from 2025–35, compared with -3.5% for IT support specialists.