43 Honest Help Desk Technician Salaries
If you work as a help desk technician, or you’re thinking about becoming one, you’re probably curious what a fair salary is. Before you head into job interviews or meetings about promotions, you’ll want to get a sense of what help desk technicians get paid.
To help answer that question, we gathered tons of data about average help desk technicians' salaries. We also worked out what training and certifications can help you move to a higher pay band. Read on to learn how to advance your career as a help desk technician.
What is a Help Desk Technician?
A help desk technician is a person providing hands-on (or remote-enabled) technical support and troubleshooting services for end users. They diagnose and resolve hardware and software issues.
Generally, a help desk technician can be either on-site (“in-house”) or remote. On-site help desk technicians typically support employees of the same company, ensuring that the network, hardware, and software operate optimally for their co-workers. Remote help desk technicians usually offer troubleshooting and diagnostic support to their company's clients and customers.
A help desk technician is often—but not always—an entry-level position, and the salaries usually reflect that. For many IT professionals, a position as a help desk technician is a career starting point to more advanced positions like network technician or systems administrator.
43 Real Salaries for Help Desk Technicians
To give you a sense of what a help desk technician gets paid, we gathered information from sources all over the internet and the country. We gathered data from job postings, descriptions, and professional IT networking sites.
Once we had all that salary information, we broke it down in a few different ways. First, we got national averages. But we also split the salaries into a high range and a low range. That way, we could get a sense of the salaries more suitable for trained and experienced help desk technicians and separate them from the entry-level jobs. The data is from ZipRecruiter as of April 2025.
The national average salary for a Help Desk Technician is $48,154.
The national average high for a Help Desk Technician is $54,000.
The national average low for a Help Desk Technician is $40,000.
Depending on where you work and what job markets are available to you, you might find a lot of variation in what salary you can look forward to. Take a look at our chart of 43 salaries for help desk technicians by state:
City | State | Low-end Average | Average | High-end Average |
Puerto Real | PR | $39,000 | $47,418 | $53,000 |
Rochester | NY | $39,000 | $47,458 | $53,000 |
Akron | OH | $38,000 | $46,707 | $48,000 |
Tallahassee | FL | $38,000 | $45,353 | $51,000 |
Springfield | MO | $37,000 | $45,378 | $50,000 |
Knoxville | TN | $38,000 | $45,623 | $51,000 |
Columbus | OH | $36,000 | $43,828 | $49,000 |
McAllen | TX | $38,000 | $45,828 | $51,000 |
Macon | GA | $38,000 | $46,122 | $51,000 |
Montgomery | AL | $39,000 | $47,097 | $53,000 |
Jackson | MS | $39,000 | $41,992 | $47,000 |
Mobile | AL | $39,000 | $47,512 | $53,000 |
Shreveport | LA | $32,000 | $39,806 | $43,000 |
Chattanooga | TN | $34,000 | $41,818 | $46,000 |
Tucson | AZ | $38,000 | $46,832 | $52,000 |
Waco | TX | $35,000 | $42,901 | $47,000 |
Augusta | GA | $37,000 | $45,958 | $50,000 |
Sioux Falls | SD | $39,800 | $47,901 | $53,000 |
Amarillo | TX | $36,000 | $44,207 | $50,000 |
Little Rock | AR | $38,000 | $46,507 | $51,000 |
Worcester | MA | $39,900 | $48,628 | $54,000 |
Savannah | GA | $37,000 | $44,676 | $50,000 |
Chicago | IL | $41,000 | $49,005 | $55,000 |
Pittsburgh | PA | $38,000 | $46,753 | $52,000 |
Fort Myers | FL | $37,000 | $45,178 | $51,000 |
Tampa | FL | $36,000 | $43,698 | $48,000 |
New Orleans | LA | $38,000 | $46,758 | $52,000 |
Eugene | OR | $40,000 | $48,018 | $54,000 |
Nashville | TN | $38,000 | $46,088 | $52,000 |
Enterprise | NV | $38,000 | $46,395 | $52,000 |
Midland | TX | $39,000 | $47,870 | $53,000 |
Salinas | CA | $43,000 | $51,680 | $60,000 |
Los Angeles | CA | $43,000 | $51,457 | $58,000 |
Sacramento | CA | $42,000 | $51,948 | $57,000 |
Seattle | WA | $45,000 | $55,032 | $61,000 |
San Diego | CA | $42,000 | $51,136 | $57,000 |
Newark | NJ | $41,000 | $50,162 | $56,000 |
New York | NY | $44,000 | $52,162 | $59,000 |
Washington | DC | $45,000 | $54,740 | $61,000 |
Alexandria | VA | $42,000 | $51,740 | $57,800 |
Bridgeport | CT | $40,000 | $49,937 | $55,000 |
San Jose | CA | $47,000 | $56,059 | $63,000 |
San Francisco | CA | $47,000 | $56,716 | $63,000 |
High Salaries Still Cluster in Coastal and Major Metro Areas
The best-paying jobs for help desk technicians are still mostly located in large, coastal cities. Of the top five cities with the highest average salaries, four are in California — with San Jose and San Francisco leading the pack at $56,059 and $56,716 respectively. Seattle, WA, Washington, DC, and New York, NY round out the top earners, all offering average salaries above $52,000. These areas also have the highest high-end averages, with techs in San Francisco and San Jose potentially making up to $63,000.
This suggests that experienced help desk technicians who want to maximize their earning potential should focus on metropolitan areas — especially those with a strong tech presence or higher cost of living that tends to boost wages.
Entry-Level Salaries are Still Fairly Predictable
Entry-level salaries (represented by the “low-end average”) fall within a tighter band than they might first appear. At first glance, it looks like they range from $32,000 (Shreveport, LA) up to $47,000 (San Jose and San Francisco). But that $32K is an outlier. When we remove the top 5 and bottom 5 cities, the real entry-level salary range tightens to about $36,000 to $43,000 — a fairly predictable window.
That stability suggests that companies across the country have a shared understanding of how to pay new help desk techs. The flip side? It's not especially competitive, and many new techs may need to take that into account when considering the cost of living.
Salary Gaps Within Cities Can Be Huge
In some locations, the difference between the low-end and high-end salary averages is significant. For example, in San Francisco, CA, there's a $16,000 spread between the low and high salary ranges—from $47,000 to $63,000. Shreveport, LA also shows a noticeable gap, with salaries ranging from $32,000 to $43,000, an $11,000 difference.
This tells us that who you work for can be just as important as where you work. Local job markets can support both low-paying entry roles and much more lucrative positions for seasoned pros — but you have to know where to look. Staying active in your market and keeping an eye on higher-tier openings could really pay off.
Location Matters—A Lot
The overall average salary for help desk techs can still vary dramatically based on geography — by up to 40% or more. Compare San Francisco at $56,716 to Jackson, MS at $41,992, and the difference is clear. And even the high-end salary in Jackson ($47,000) doesn’t reach the average in the top-tier cities.
For help desk technicians who can work remotely or are open to relocation, that’s a major opportunity. A geographic shift could mean the difference between a $45K job and a $60K one — especially as more companies embrace hybrid and remote models.
4 Salary Considerations for Help Desk Technicians
At this point, you should have a sense of what a help desk technician does—but more importantly, you now have a solid idea of what one gets paid. If our chart of 43 help desk technician salaries teaches us anything, it’s that while entry-level technicians probably shouldn’t expect much more than $38,000, with the right experience, it’s possible to push your salary well above $50,000, and in some cases, even into the $60,000+ range.
But what makes that possible? What can a help desk technician who recently took their first job do to improve their salary prospects? Four variables affect the salary a help desk technician can expect: broad experience, specific knowledge of tools and technology, certifications, and what industry you work in. Let’s explore each of those four salary considerations.
Experience Requirements for Help Desk Technicians
The good news? Help desk technician roles are often entry-level, meaning you don’t need years of experience or a formal degree to get started. Many employers will hire candidates who can demonstrate basic PC troubleshooting skills, a solid understanding of common operating systems, and general tech know-how.
That said, if you’ve never diagnosed a computer issue or supported a frustrated user before, breaking into the field might be a bit tougher. While formal education isn’t typically required, you’ll need to show familiarity with different types of hardware, software, and support environments. Knowing your way around Windows, macOS, mobile platforms, and common productivity tools is a strong starting point.
If you're already in a help desk role, the best way to grow is to broaden your exposure first, then specialize. Try not to box yourself into one system or vendor. A great help desk tech has a wide-ranging toolkit: experience with different devices, remote support platforms, ticketing systems, and enterprise environments. Once you’ve built that foundation, look for opportunities to go deep in one or two areas—like networking, security, or systems administration.
Not only will this make you a stronger technician, it can help you discover what areas of IT you enjoy most. Many network engineers, sysadmins, and cybersecurity pros start on the help desk—and those roles often come with significantly higher pay and long-term career potential.
4 Help Desk/Customer Support Tools You'll Need to Know
As a help desk technician, your value often comes down to how well you can use the tools of the trade. While different companies use different platforms, most fall into the same broad categories. The more familiar you are with each type, the more flexible and valuable you become.
Here are four essential tool sets every help desk technician should understand—and how they can boost your salary potential.
Help Desk Ticketing Systems
Ticketing systems are the backbone of IT support. Every request or issue becomes a “ticket,” which tracks the problem, updates, and resolution steps. Whether it’s ServiceNow, Zendesk, Freshservice, or a proprietary system, you’ll need to know how to manage tickets efficiently—and write clear, detailed notes that make life easier for everyone.
Salary impact: high. You don’t need to master every tool, but understanding how different ticketing platforms handle workflows, SLAs, and escalations shows you're ready for more responsibility. Strong communication and documentation skills in tickets can quickly set you apart from your peers.
Remote Monitoring and Management Tools
RMM tools let you monitor, manage, and troubleshoot devices without leaving your desk—a huge advantage in hybrid and remote environments. Tools like ConnectWise Automate, NinjaOne, and Kaseya are commonly used to manage endpoints, run scripts, apply patches, and automate tasks.
Salary impact: huge. Mastering your company’s RMM tool—and understanding how others work—can make you a force multiplier. Knowing how to automate common fixes or proactively catch issues before they escalate will put you in line for raises and promotions.
Computer Diagnostic Tools and Troubleshooting Tools
Whether you're working in Windows, macOS, or Linux, you’ll rely on diagnostic tools to identify and resolve issues. Tools like Performance Monitor, Event Viewer, Speccy, HWMonitor, or even built-in command-line utilities are essential for digging into hardware or system problems.
Salary impact: high. Troubleshooting is at the core of help desk work. The more tools you know—and the better you understand how to interpret the data they give you—the more capable and efficient you’ll be. And that kind of skill doesn’t go unnoticed.
IT Asset Management (ITAM) Platforms
Asset management platforms track everything from workstations and servers to licenses and warranties. Tools like Lansweeper, Spiceworks, or ManageEngine AssetExplorer help teams stay organized and informed about what’s running on the network and how it’s performing.
Salary impact: moderate to high. Understanding asset lifecycle data, spotting device health issues, and tracking down compliance problems gives you a leg up. It also opens the door to more advanced IT operations or systems management roles.
The 6 Best Certifications for a Help Desk Technician
Certifications are one of the best ways to boost your credibility as a help desk technician—and earn a better salary. They show employers you’re serious about your career, and they often help you qualify for promotions, raises, or better jobs down the line.
However, not all certifications are created equal. Some are expensive, some are difficult, and a few aren’t very useful. If you’re aiming to level up in a help desk or IT support role, CompTIA, Cisco, and Microsoft remain some of the most respected names in the game.
1. CompTIA A+
If you’re just starting out, CompTIA A+ is the gold standard. This vendor-neutral, entry-level certification covers the core skills every help desk technician needs: hardware, operating systems, software troubleshooting, networking basics, and customer support. It’s often listed as a requirement on job postings and is widely recognized across industries.
Salary impact: high. For many IT professionals, the A+ was their first cert—and the start of their career path.
2. CompTIA Network+
Once you’ve mastered the basics, Network+ is a logical next step. It focuses on networking concepts, infrastructure, and troubleshooting—skills that many help desk roles touch on. If your role involves network support or you're eyeing roles like network technician or NOC support, this cert will open doors.
Salary impact: moderate to high. Especially useful in organizations where you’re expected to support network connectivity or devices.
3. CompTIA Security+
Security is no longer a niche—every help desk tech should understand the basics of cybersecurity. Security+ covers essential concepts like threat detection, risk management, and compliance. With phishing, ransomware, and insider threats on the rise, IT teams want help desk techs who know how to spot red flags.
Salary impact: high. Security+ can position you for more advanced roles or set you up to move into cybersecurity.
4. Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
If your company uses Cisco gear—and many do—the CCNA is a respected credential. It covers networking, IP services, security fundamentals, and automation basics. It’s one of the most widely recognized networking certs out there. Even if you’re not a full-time network admin, understanding Cisco systems is a major plus.
Salary impact: significant. The CCNA is a strong justification for a raise or a move into more specialized roles.
5. Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate
As more companies move to the cloud, the Microsoft AZ-104 cert proves you can manage Azure users, permissions, resources, and more. Many organizations now run some or all of their infrastructure in Microsoft Azure. Help desk techs who can troubleshoot Azure-related issues are in high demand.
Salary impact: moderate to high. It is especially valuable if your organization uses Microsoft 365, Azure AD, or virtual desktops.
6. Google IT Support Professional Certificate (Coursera)
If you're brand new to IT and looking for a low-cost, beginner-friendly option, Google’s IT Support cert is a solid starting point. It's not a replacement for the A+, but it covers similar content and is great for building foundational knowledge. It’s affordable, accessible, and respected, especially among startups or companies that use Google Workspace.
Salary impact: entry-level boost. It's a great way to show initiative if you’re just starting your career.
What Type of Companies Need Help Desk Technicians?
Before diving into the job market, it’s worth considering where you want to work. While help desk technicians are part of IT, that doesn’t mean you’re limited to tech companies. In fact, most industries today rely on technology—and they need skilled support to keep things running smoothly.
Here are a few types of organizations that regularly hire help desk technicians, along with how they can impact your long-term career growth:
Healthcare and Medical Services
Think beyond hospitals—healthcare IT includes large hospital networks, insurance companies, medical data firms, and even telehealth providers. These systems are highly complex and heavily regulated, which means there's constant demand for reliable IT support.
Career outlook: Strong. Healthcare is a stable industry, and large networks often have room for growth into networking, cybersecurity, or systems administration roles. Just be sure to look for organizations with defined IT career paths.
Managed Service Providers (MSPs)
Technical support service providers offer IT support services to other companies, meaning you’ll handle a variety of issues across different clients, networks, and systems. These jobs are often remote and fast-paced—and they’re a great way to build hands-on experience quickly.
Career outlook: High learning potential. You’ll gain exposure to a wide range of tools and environments, which can help fast-track your technical skills. Just know that promotions may be slower or require jumping to a new company.
Education Institutions
Colleges, universities, school districts, and public libraries all rely on IT support to keep their staff and students connected. Many have in-house IT teams and ticketing systems, along with complex device and user management needs.
Career outlook: Mixed. You’ll often work with a broad range of tech and users, but career advancement can be limited if the organization doesn’t have structured paths for help desk techs. Still, it's a good entry point with a meaningful mission.
How to Increase Your Salary as a Help Desk Technician
A well-paid help desk technician gets a salary of roughly $55,000/year. Usually, making it to that point takes extensive experience. Earning certifications that qualify you for promotions or better pay can help you stay up-to-date with changes in technology—and bring a higher salary.
If you’re starting out as a help desk technician, your salary will probably be a bit lower—-likely closer to $40,000/year. If you take your time to improve your abilities and stay mindful of your career prospects, you can quickly advance to much better salaries.
Hopefully, the technology problems will never get so bad that your end users will be running through an office lobby and into an elevator screaming, “Tech support!” But get experience doing the job, get training and certifications, and you can be the one showing up when things go off the rails.
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