If you鈥檙e interested in providing IT support for a company鈥檚 customers and employees, being a technical support engineer may be a fitting role. Learn more about what a technical support engineer does, how to become one, the different types, and more.
The job of technical support engineers is to provide information technology (IT) support to an organization鈥檚 customers and employees. Some tech support engineers work internally, assisting employees with computer-system-related issues, while others are outward-focused and interact solely with customers. Many technical support engineers are part of an in-house IT department, but others may work for third-party companies that provide IT support for organizations. Learn more about how to become a technical support engineer and how to qualify for the role, and discover details about the earning potential and job responsibilities of a technical support engineer.
A technical support engineer provides technical support for users of an organization鈥檚 network systems and may work to maintain them through regular testing and monitoring. Your goal in this role is to address technical issues reported by users and to resolve them. The process can involve a series of steps, from walking users through troubleshooting options over the phone, in person, or via chat to generating support tickets to document the interaction. Depending on the company, technical support engineers may work with customers or employees.听
According to Glassdoor, the estimated total pay for a technical support engineer in the US is $105,598 per year []. This figure includes an average base salary of $81,440 and $24,157 in additional pay [. Additional pay may represent profit-sharing, commissions, or bonuses. Remember that your education level, experience, location, industry, and employer will likely affect your earnings. In this profession, earning certifications can positively affect your salary and ability to move into higher-paying positions.听
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates a 6 percent job growth for computer support specialists from 2023 to 2033 []. It estimates roughly 62,700 computer support specialist jobs will be available yearly on average through the next decade []. Computer support specialists are in-demand positions as organizations seek IT professionals to provide support to employees and customers.听
As a technical support engineer, you can work under various titles and specialize in certain areas of computer tech support. Depending on the type of engineer you are, it may impact your overall earnings, duties, and responsibilities. You might need a different skill set and additional qualifications to work in certain areas of technical support. Some common types of technical support engineers include the following:听听
Applications support engineer (ASE): Typically focuses on customer-facing software applications听
Field support engineer: A customer-facing position that addresses and resolves technical questions about a product and related issues
Customer support engineer: A customer-facing position that involves troubleshooting, onboarding, and answering technical questions about a product or service听
If you鈥檙e wondering about tech support engineer duties, they include providing IT solutions while maintaining an organization鈥檚 computer systems; this may require installing software, hardware, and network systems. These professionals must ensure the integrity of their network systems by monitoring performance and security while reporting any issues. Some common responsibilities of a technical support engineer include:听
Providing technical support: Troubleshoot, diagnose, and resolve technical issues. If the technical support engineer can鈥檛 resolve the issue, the next step is to report it and pass it along to the appropriate individual or department.听
Monitoring and maintaining computer networks: Perform regular and routine maintenance of an organization鈥檚 computer networks to ensure networks are operating properly. Technical support engineers use various monitoring tools to detect, identify, and report issues before they cause problems.听
Installing computer programs and performing system updates: Assist users in installing programs. Perform system updates and test systems to evaluate performance. Tech support engineers suggest and identify steps to improve system performance.听
Repairing and resolving technical issues: Document the issue and interaction when a hardware or software problem is identified. As a technical support engineer, you work to resolve reported problems as the final step in the troubleshooting process.听
To be a successful technical support engineer, it鈥檚 important to have both technical and workplace skills. Technical skills represent the practical aspects of your role, while workplace skills contribute to how productive you are in a work environment.
To be a technical support engineer, you鈥檒l need a thorough understanding of IT terminology, computer network systems, and how to help people needing IT support and assistance. The following are some skills that may be helpful to you in this role:听
Customer service
Technical support听
SQL
System administration听
Network configuration听
Wide area networks (WANs)
Local area networks (LANs)
Windows听
Python and other programming languages
Monitoring software听
Enterprise software and hardware听
Network security听
Patience听
Positivity
Perseverance听听
Communication听
Collaboration听
Troubleshooting听
Active listening听
Friendliness
A technical support engineer is often considered a mid-level role, so you鈥檒l need three to five years of relevant professional experience, according to Glassdoor. To enter this field, consider the following entry-level roles to gain experience:听
Technical support specialist
Field service technician
Electronics technician
Network technician
If you鈥檙e interested in furthering your career in this field, you can pursue management roles as an IT manager, IT project manager, or senior technical support engineer. Other careers to consider with experience as a technical support engineer include information security analyst, software developer, and computer systems administrator.
Most employers require at least a bachelor鈥檚 degree in computer science, electrical engineering, or a related field to become a technical support engineer. According to Zippia, 62.6 percent of tech support engineers have a bachelor鈥檚 degree, 21 percent hold an associate degree, and 9 percent have earned a master鈥檚 [].听
Earning advanced degrees, such as a master鈥檚 degree in a related field, will likely improve your salary. Certifications are another popular avenue for improving your annual earnings in this position.听
The need for technical support engineers spans a range of industries since many different types of organizations rely on IT professionals to maintain their computer network systems. Some of the top companies employing technical support engineers include []:听
Dell Technologies听
Verizon
Apple
Amazon
Oracle
Concentrix
IBM
A career as a technical support engineer can offer you job security and the opportunity to work in various industries.
You can start preparing for an entry-level job today. Learn in-demand IT skills from a tech industry leader by enrolling in the Microsoft IT Support Specialist Professional Certificate program. In just two months, you'll learn to apply concepts like data management, troubleshooting, customer support, and networking while earning an employer-recognized certificate from Microsoft.
Glassdoor. 鈥, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/technical-support-engineer-salary-SRCH_KO0,26.htm.鈥 Accessed December 10, 2024.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics. 鈥, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/computer-support-specialists.htm#tab-6.鈥 Accessed December 10, 2024.
Zippia. 鈥, https://www.zippia.com/technical-support-engineer-jobs/how-to-become-a-technical-support-engineer/.鈥 Accessed December 10, 2024.
Glassdoor. 鈥, https://www.glassdoor.com/Explore/top-technical-support-engineer-companies_IO.4,30.htm.鈥 Accessed December 10, 2024.
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