The short answer
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) says computer user support specialists, the help desk and desktop support roles, “require some computer knowledge but not necessarily a college degree”. It also says they typically learn through moderate-term on-the-job training. For systems administrators, information security analysts, and software QA testers, the BLS lists a bachelor’s degree as the typical entry-level education.
Those are national norms. Each employer sets its own bar, so each listing here shows what its own ad asks for.
| Occupation (BLS name) | Median annual pay, May 2025 | Typical entry-level education (BLS) |
|---|---|---|
| Computer user support specialists | $61,860 | Not necessarily a college degree |
| Computer network support specialists | $76,220 | Associate’s degree accepted by some employers |
| Network and computer systems administrators | $99,130 | Bachelor’s degree |
| Software quality assurance analysts and testers | $104,300 | Bachelor’s degree |
| Information security analysts | $129,180 | Bachelor’s degree |
The median is the middle of the pay range for workers at every experience level, so it is not a starting salary. In May 2025, a quarter of computer user support specialists earned less than $49,000 a year, and a tenth earned less than $40,980.
What “no experience” means in an ad
An ad that says “no experience necessary” can still have must-haves, such as a high school diploma, availability for nights or weekends, or customer service experience. The BLS notes that because support may need to be available 24 hours a day, some specialists work nights or weekends.
If you want a credential before you apply, two entry-level options are:
- CompTIA A+: two exams, Core 1 and Core 2. CompTIA names help desk support specialist as the job role.
- Google IT Support Professional Certificate: six courses on Coursera. Coursera says no prior experience is required and estimates 3 months at 10 hours a week.
Neither one guarantees a job. Check whether the ads you want list them as must-haves or as a plus.
The job market
The BLS counted about 750,600 computer user support specialist jobs in 2025. It projects employment of computer support specialists to fall 3 percent from 2025 to 2035. It still expects about 48,700 openings a year on average, all of them from the need to replace workers who move to other occupations or leave the labor force, for example to retire.
How to read a posting
- Find the requirements list and split it yourself. Anything followed by “preferred”, “a plus”, or “or equivalent” is not a must-have.
- Look for the words “will train”, “paid training”, or “no experience necessary”, then read what training the ad actually describes.
- Check the schedule line for shifts, nights, and weekends.
Sources
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Computer Support Specialists, Network and Computer Systems Administrators, Software Developers, Quality Assurance Analysts, and Testers, Information Security Analysts (pay data May 2025, projections 2025 to 2035).
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, computer user support specialists (15-1232), national percentiles.
- CompTIA A+ and the Google IT Support Professional Certificate on Coursera, checked November 2026.
Frequently asked
Do I need CompTIA A+ to get a help desk job?
It depends on the employer. Some ads list A+ as a must-have and others as a plus, and the Entry Bar Check on each listing shows which one the ad says. CompTIA names help desk support specialist as the job role A+ is for. Earning it takes two exams, Core 1 and Core 2.
Can I get a remote IT job with no experience?
Some remote ads don't ask for a degree or a set number of years of experience. The Remote entry-level page lists those. Check each ad for the states it hires in and any office days before you apply.
How long until I can move to sysadmin?
There is no fixed timeline. The BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical entry-level education for network and computer systems administrators, but says some employers accept a postsecondary certificate or an associate's degree. Read what each sysadmin ad lists as must-haves.