Google executive reports 'unprecedented' demand for this job, which pays over $100,000 and doesn't require a degree.

Considering a career in IT support can be a wise choice if you're seeking a well-paying job with strong job security, even though it may not be the most glamorous tech job.

IT support is often overlooked as a behind-the-scenes job, but it offers competitive salaries, diverse opportunities, and flexibility, according to Lisa Gevelber, a vice president at Google and founder of Grow With Google, as reported by CNBC Make It.

As more companies shift online and embrace new technologies such as AI and cloud computing, the demand for IT support has intensified. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of IT support jobs is projected to increase by at least 15% in the next ten years, which is significantly faster than the average growth rate for all occupations.

Gevelber highlights that there are over 300,000 vacant IT support positions in the U.S. currently.

In 2024, the number of searches for "IT support jobs" and "IT support skills" on Google reached an "all-time high," according to a report from the search engine that has been tracking such queries for the past 20 years.

To secure a job in IT support and discover the top employment prospects, follow these steps.

Getting into IT support without a degree

To tackle critical labor shortages in IT support, companies are increasingly opting to hire individuals without bachelor's degrees. Typically, most IT support positions demand a minimum of a high school diploma or GED, along with the successful completion of an online certification or training.

Google's Grow with Google initiative, founded in 2017 by Gevelber, includes an IT support certificate as part of its skilling initiative. The Google Career Certificate Program offers lessons and certifications for in-demand skills such as IT support, cybersecurity, and data analytics.

Completing the IT support certificate in just 3 months costs $49 monthly, and other organizations, such as Amazon Web Services and CompTIA, also offer comparable certificates.

Some of the most in-demand roles in IT assistance are computer support specialists, help desk analysts, and IT support technicians.

Gevelber states that while the daily tasks vary among roles, the essential skills remain constant across all jobs.

IT support professionals must possess the ability to identify and remedy technical problems, including faulty servers or software errors.

Strong communication and customer service skills are important.

"According to Gevelber, being both a techie and a people person is necessary for this problem-solving role. This job demands active listening, comprehending the issue, communicating and documenting solutions to individuals with varying technical proficiency."

Gevelber states that if you possess both technical and soft skills, you will excel in this field.

Opportunities to earn six figures and work from home

Recent research from Lightcast indicates that while IT support professionals are required in all industries, there is a particularly high demand for talent in manufacturing, health care, education, technology, and business fields.

Google's IT support certificate program has attracted the attention of companies such as Wells Fargo, Verizon, and Dell Technologies, who have hired graduates from the program directly, according to Gevelber.

Several IT support jobs have median salaries exceeding $100,000, with system analysts earning a median of $135,000 and database administrators earning $118,000 annually.

There are numerous remote IT support jobs available, some of which offer salaries of over $150,000 per year.

According to Gevelber, the ideal career path is one that is expanding and has a critical need for your skills within the organization. This is precisely what IT support offers, as it is a highly valued and rewarding skill set that will remain in demand for the foreseeable future.

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