Help Desk Specialist Data
While not a lucrative position compared to other tech positions, the advantage of help desk positions is volume—almost every company requires technical support. There are over 50,000 Help Desk Specialist positions in the United States, and according to Glassdoor, the national average salary for this position is approximately $44,400.
“CSS Tec has over 20 years of success with IT & Level 1 Help Desk Specialists. As a premier and active partner with the Philadelphia Chapter of HDI, we have a vast network of candidates and expertise ready for deployment at a moment’s notice. We recently delivered a high volume of direct placements for several of our clients who encountered IT emergencies and needed a partner who could deliver quality candidates quickly. Contact us for more information on these stories and others. We want to be your go-to for these types of roles!” says Toni Thomas, Account Executive at CSS-Tec.
Based on information available from the Dice Salary Calculator combined with CSS-Tec’s historical data, Help Desk roles in the Philadelphia area can expect to make the following salaries based on years of experience:
- Junior: $36,794 – $58,720
- Mid-Level: $44,036 – $70,966
- Senior: $50,768 – $85,916
In 2019, the Greater Philadelphia area alone had over 2,003 open jobs posted for Help Desk positions. The current demand for Help Desk candidates in the Philadelphia market currently outweighs the available candidate pool by about a 4.19/1 ratio and we see no signs that this demand will be slowing down any time soon.
“Every time you see 5 jobs posted for help desk, just know there is only 1 active candidate searching for a new opportunity.” says Dino Grigorakakis, COO, Contemporary Staffing Solutions.
What is a Help Desk Specialist?
A Help Desk Specialist is the support person for all computer and technical issues, either for internal employees or external clients. Help Desk Specialists use their knowledge of company systems, software, and hardware to answer questions and address issues via phone, email, or web chat. These interactions are usually logged through a specific issue/help desk system.
Help Desk Specialists often operate within three tiers. Tier 1 handles common, less complex issues. Tier 2 handles more complex issues. Tier 3 handles issues that require expert-level/engineer knowledge.
How to Become a Help Desk Specialist
A background in technology is imperative for this role. Help desk positions are an ideal position for recent graduates or those new to the tech world but help desk roles range from being entry-level to expert-level.
Tier 1 help desk roles are typically entry-level positions. Tier 2 help desk specialists are IT professionals with a couple more years of IT support under their belt. Tier 3 help desk specialists have the most experience out of all the tiers in support and technical skill.
If being a help desk specialist isn’t your end goal in the tech space, worry not—the help desk is a great jumping off point to a rewarding career in tech!
Who is CSS Tec?
CSS Tec, a business unit of Contemporary Staffing Solutions, has been a leading provider of contract, contract-to-hire, and direct hire technology solutions while also offering Project Management and implementations of Salesforce solutions. CSS Tec prides itself on internal retention, with the average recruiter’s tenure exceeding five years, as well as their strong, established presence in the Philadelphia Metro area. The CSS Tec team coaches you with current business intelligence so that we can manage your expectations.
“Help Desk expertise comes with a variety of expectations: some are highly technical and others are a bit more entry-level with less technical skills. We can help you with your internal help desk department or your third-party help desk,” says Sharon Tsao, CMO of Contemporary Staffing Solutions.
Are you looking for your next Help Desk role? Check out our job board for all our open positions or contact a tech recruiter to help you in your job search!
Employers, looking to find skilled candidates for technical positions? Reach out to CSS Tec to discuss partnering with us!