# Computer User Support Specialists

> Provide technical assistance to computer users. Answer questions or resolve computer problems for clients in person, via telephone, or electronically. May provide assistance concerning the use of computer hardware and software, including printing, installation, word processing, electronic mail, and operating systems.

- **SOC code:** 15-1232.00
- **Canonical URL:** https://singulariki.com/roles/role-15-1232-00
- **Also known as:** Computer Support Specialist, Computer Tech (Computer Technician), IS Tech (Information Systems Technician), IT Specialist (Information Technology Specialist), Desktop Support Technician (Desktop Support Tech), Help Desk Analyst, Help Desk Tech (Help Desk Technician), IT Support Specialist (Information Technology Support Specialist)
- **Frame:** "AI exposure" means task overlap (how codifiable the work is), not jobs lost or a forecast. Every figure below is traced to a named public dataset.

## What this work is

**Core tasks** (O*NET):
- Oversee the daily performance of computer systems.
- Set up equipment for employee use, performing or ensuring proper installation of cables, operating systems, or appropriate software.
- Read technical manuals, confer with users, or conduct computer diagnostics to investigate and resolve problems or to provide technical assistance and support.
- Answer user inquiries regarding computer software or hardware operation to resolve problems.
- Install and perform minor repairs to hardware, software, or peripheral equipment, following design or installation specifications.
- Confer with staff, users, and management to establish requirements for new systems or modifications.
- Enter commands and observe system functioning to verify correct operations and detect errors.
- Maintain records of daily data communication transactions, problems and remedial actions taken, or installation activities.
- Refer major hardware or software problems or defective products to vendors or technicians for service.
- Prepare evaluations of software or hardware, and recommend improvements or upgrades.
- Develop training materials and procedures, or train users in the proper use of hardware or software.
- Inspect equipment and read order sheets to prepare for delivery to users.

## Skills, tools, capabilities

**Knowledge, skills & abilities** (O*NET, highest importance first):
- Computers and Electronics _(knowledge)_
- Customer and Personal Service _(knowledge)_
- Reading Comprehension _(essential_skill)_
- Active Listening _(essential_skill)_
- Speaking _(essential_skill)_
- Oral Comprehension _(ability)_
- Written Comprehension _(ability)_
- Oral Expression _(ability)_
- Written Expression _(ability)_
- Near Vision _(ability)_
- Telecommunications _(knowledge)_
- English Language _(knowledge)_

**Skills in demand:**
- Reading Comprehension _(Common Skill)_
- Active Listening _(Common Skill)_
- Telecommunications _(Specialized Skill)_
- English Language _(Common Skill)_
- Critical Thinking _(Common Skill)_
- Speech Recognition _(Specialized Skill)_
- Information Ordering _(Specialized Skill)_
- Deductive Reasoning _(Common Skill)_
- Complex Problem Solving _(Common Skill)_
- Writing _(Common Skill)_
- ServiceNow _(Specialized Skill)_
- Microsoft Windows _(Common Skill)_

**Tools & technology:**
- Apple iOS _(hot technology, in demand)_
- Apple macOS _(hot technology, in demand)_
- Linux _(hot technology, in demand)_
- Microsoft Active Directory _(hot technology, in demand)_
- Microsoft Azure software _(hot technology, in demand)_
- Microsoft Excel _(hot technology, in demand)_
- Microsoft Office software _(hot technology, in demand)_
- Microsoft Outlook _(hot technology, in demand)_
- Microsoft Windows _(hot technology, in demand)_
- ServiceNow _(hot technology, in demand)_
- Structured query language SQL _(hot technology, in demand)_
- Adobe Acrobat _(hot technology)_

## AI exposure & outlook

- **AI task-overlap index:** 80th percentile (High) across all occupations — composite of current-era exposure studies (ai-exposure-index-v1).
- **LLM task exposure, γ (OpenAI / Eloundou):** 62nd percentile (Moderate) — source: eloundou_gamma.
- **AI assistant applicability (Microsoft):** 95th percentile (High) — source: microsoft_applicability.
- **Projected employment (BLS 2024–34):** -3.7% growth (Declining); 40.8k annual openings; 729.5k → 702.5k jobs.
- **Pay & employment (BLS OEWS, May 2024):** median $60,340; 697,210 employed.

## Sources

- **O*NET** (30.3) — U.S. Department of Labor / National Center for O*NET Development. https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html
- **BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)** (May 2024) — U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- **BLS Employment Projections** (2024–2034) — U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- **Anthropic Economic Index** (v4 (2026-01-15) + v2 (2025-03-27)) — Anthropic. https://www.anthropic.com/economic-index
- **Microsoft “Working with AI”** (working-with-ai) — Microsoft Research. https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/research/
- **“GPTs are GPTs” (Eloundou et al.)** (arXiv 2303.10130) — OpenAI / academic. https://arxiv.org/abs/2303.10130

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_Generated from Singulariki's joined dataset; data snapshot 2026-06-02T21:00:32.945303+00:00. https://singulariki.com/roles/role-15-1232-00_