IT Support: career path and pay in the UK
Where a IT Support goes next, what each step typically pays in the United Kingdom, and how exposed the path is to AI replacement. 3 steps, from IT Support Specialist / Help Desk Technician to Senior IT Support / IT Support Manager.
Also for the United States: IT Support in the US
The path
Step 1 · 0 to 2 years
IT Support Specialist / Help Desk Technician
£25K to £35K
Typical UK pay for this job title, retrieved September 2026.
What this step adds
Credentials that help: CompTIA A+ - Global, CompTIA Network+ (optional) - Global, ITIL Foundation - Global, BCS Foundation Certificate (optional) - UK/EU.
Step 2 · 2 to 5 years
IT Support Engineer / Desktop Support
£25K to £35K
Typical UK pay for this job title, retrieved September 2026.
What this step adds
Credentials that help: CompTIA Security+ - Global, Microsoft Certified: Modern Desktop Administrator Associate - Global, ITIL Practitioner - Global, BCS Practitioner Certificate - UK/EU.
Step 3 · 5 to 10 years
Senior IT Support / IT Support Manager
£35K to £50K
Typical UK pay for this job title, retrieved September 2026.
What this step adds
Credentials that help: ITIL Expert - Global, CompTIA Security+ - Global, BCS Advanced Certificate - UK/EU, PMP (optional) - Global.
Exposure and pay along the path
Exposure to AI, now to later
76% → 52%
Falls 24 points. Each step is harder to automate than the last. Lower is better.
Typical pay, now to later
£25K to £35K → £35K to £50K
UK estimates by job title, Glassdoor, Indeed and PayScale UK.
What the work involves
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.
Skills that matter most
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Writing
- Active Learning
Knowledge areas
- Computers and Electronics
- Customer and Personal Service
- Telecommunications
- English Language
- Education and Training
- Mechanical
Education people bring
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree: 14%
- First Professional Degree - awarded for completion of a program that: requires at least 2 years of college work before entrance into the program, includes a total of at least 6 academic years of work to complete, and provides all remaining academic requirements to begin practice in a profession.: 4%
- Some College Courses: 2%
Job Zone 3, job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Other paths from here
More Technology paths in the UK
Related occupations in O*NET: Computer Network Support Specialists, Network and Computer Systems Administrators, Computer Systems Engineers/Architects, Computer Systems Analysts, Software Developers.
Your own role
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SourcesSalary bands: Glassdoor, Indeed and PayScale UK, UK national averages by job title, retrieved September 2026Skills, knowledge and education: O*NET 31.0 Database
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CC BY 4.0
Salary estimates by job title from Glassdoor UK, Indeed UK and PayScale, retrieved September 2026. Each band runs from 20% below to 20% above the reported average, rounded to £5K. Exposure percentages and the skills listed under each step are this app's own editorial ratings, not published data.