Help Desk Technician Job Description

Job Duties

IT help desk professionals tend to be methodical problem-solvers with an innate ability to learn new skills and adapt to challenging circumstances. But what does a help desk technician do?

Day-to-day responsibilities will vary depending on specific needs, but here are some of typical tasks:

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  Analyzing employees’ computer problem

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  Setting up or repairing computer equipment

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  Documenting issues for easy reference

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  Walking employees through solutions and fixes

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  Installing and training users on new hardware or software

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  Providing remote technical support via internet or phone

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  Backing up and restoring files

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  Maintaining operating systems by repairing hardware and configuring software

Work Environment

There are two primary types of help desk technicians: In-house and Remote. Remote help desk technicians support via phone and online. In-house technicians work on-site in various types of hospitals and provide support for internal employees.

Pay Scale

The salary range for help desk technicians is remarkable: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage is $55,510 with the highest 10% earning more than $110,000 per year.

Industry Demand

Technology is moving fast—so fast that health systems always need tech-savvy professionals to help keep their systems current and functioning properly. Thus, demand for help desk technicians is on the rise, pacing at about 9% growth over the next ten years, according to the latest update from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.