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Technology

Help Desk Technician

The front line of IT — troubleshoot hardware, software, and network issues for end users. A common first step into the broader tech industry.

no-degree-requiredremote-friendlyentry-levelquick-start
70
ROI · Strong
Investment vs return
Cost · time · demand normalized 0–100
59
Expected value
ROI × Attainability ÷ 100
See full ranking →
Compare this career
Salary progression

What you'll earn over your career

$42k
$58k
$78k
Entry
Mid-career
Senior
10-yr outlook
+6%
+6% (Faster than avg)
Open positions
78,000
Estimated nationwide
Entry paths

How to get here

Multiple paths lead to this career. Compare time, cost, online vs in-person delivery, and program links.

Certification Online
CompTIA A+
Time
2–4 months
Cost
$400 – $1,500
Top programs
CompTIA OfficialOnlineProfessor Messer (free)OnlineCoursera IT SupportOnline
Most common entry credential. Often paid for by first employer.
Fastest ROI
Self-taught Online
Portfolio + home lab
Time
3–6 months
Cost
Paid / Free
Top programs
TryHackMeOnlineYouTube – Network ChuckOnline
Works if you can demonstrate skills in interviews.
Affiliate disclosure: Some of the program links above may be affiliate partnerships. If you enroll, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only link to programs we have actually reviewed against our methodology. See our methodology for how we evaluate schools.
Attainability breakdown

What are the odds
you actually get there?

Six factors weighted to estimate the realistic probability a motivated person reaches this outcome. Higher = more attainable.

84
Composite
Attainability Score
Editorial estimate
Editorial estimate — based on best-available qualitative info. We're upgrading individual factors to published statistics where available.
  • Educational difficulty
    How hard the required schooling is to complete
    90
    20%
  • Licensing & exams
    Pass rates and difficulty of required exams
    100
    15%
  • Entry-job competition
    How many applicants per open entry-level role
    85
    20%
  • Career stay-rate
    Inverse of early-career attrition / industry exit
    60
    15%
  • Market demand
    Openings vs available workforce
    80
    15%
  • Alternative paths
    How many viable ways exist to enter the field
    90
    15%
Recommended schools

Schools known for this path

Verified high-ROI programs aligned with Help Desk Technician. Direct, transparent links to each school's official program page. See the full ROI shortlist →

WGU
Online, competency-based
Tuition
~$4,005 / 6-month term
Flat-rate. Finish faster, pay less.
Programs for Help Desk Technician
Cost vs. Salary
Estimated cost
Avg B.S. completion 2.5 yrs
Total cost
$20,000
Starting pay
$75,000
Cybersecurity Analyst
Break-even
6 mo
Time for surplus earnings (above $35,000 living costs) to pay tuition back.
10-yr net (median pay)
+$1,229,100
Salary data: BLS Occupational Outlook. Living-cost floor ($35K) is a national approximation. Your numbers will vary by state, employer, and aid.
Share this break-even
ASU Online
Online, public research university
Tuition
$580 / credit
Tuition only; mandatory program fees vary.
Programs for Help Desk Technician
Cost vs. Salary
Estimated cost
120 cr × $580/cr = $69.6K
Total cost
$69,600
Starting pay
$42,000
Help Desk Technician
Break-even
6.6 yrs
Time for surplus earnings (above $35,000 living costs) to pay tuition back.
10-yr net (median pay)
+$542,900
Salary data: BLS Occupational Outlook. Living-cost floor ($35K) is a national approximation. Your numbers will vary by state, employer, and aid.
Share this break-even
Purdue Global
Online, public university
Tuition
$371 / quarter credit
Built for working adults with prior college credit or experience.
Programs for Help Desk Technician
Cost vs. Salary
Estimated cost
Heavily reduced with transfer credit / military / prior learning
Total cost
$35,000
Starting pay
$42,000
Help Desk Technician
Break-even
3.3 yrs
Time for surplus earnings (above $35,000 living costs) to pay tuition back.
10-yr net (median pay)
+$577,500
Salary data: BLS Occupational Outlook. Living-cost floor ($35K) is a national approximation. Your numbers will vary by state, employer, and aid.
Share this break-even
Penn State Online
Online, Big Ten brand
Tuition
$675–$700 / credit
Same Penn State diploma as on-campus students.
Programs for Help Desk Technician
Cost vs. Salary
Estimated cost
120 cr × ~$600/cr
Total cost
$72,000
Starting pay
$55,000
Data Analyst
Break-even
3.6 yrs
Time for surplus earnings (above $35,000 living costs) to pay tuition back.
10-yr net (median pay)
+$751,600
Salary data: BLS Occupational Outlook. Living-cost floor ($35K) is a national approximation. Your numbers will vary by state, employer, and aid.
Share this break-even
Quick math

If you took the fastest path…

You'd train for
3–6 months
You'd spend (avg)
Paid / Free
Starting salary
$42,000
Mid-career
$58,000
Read more

Articles & resources

Computer Support Specialists – BLS Outlook
BLS
How to Land Your First IT Help Desk Job
CompTIA
Sources: BLS OOH 2024 · CompTIA

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