Is there an IT support talent shortage? The answer is yes and no. Employers have more open IT support jobs than they have in years. Yet many hiring managers still say they can’t find the right people to fill them.
The gap is not about too few people. It is about finding candidates with the right skills, at the right time. Here is what the latest numbers say about IT support hiring and what it means for your team.
What the Latest Hiring Data Says About IT Support Talent
Job Postings Are at a Three-Year High
Demand for tech workers is strong right now. According to CompTIA’s Tech Jobs Report, employers had 625,633 active tech job postings in September 2026. That is up 22.4% from the same time last year.
Employers also added 272,040 new tech postings that month. That is a 16% jump from September 2025.
Tech Support Is One of the Most Advertised Roles
Tech support specialist is one of the most requested jobs in the country. In August 2026, employers posted 25,215 tech support openings, up 653 from July. Many other top roles lost postings that month, but tech support gained.
Earlier in the year, postings for tech support specialists rose 16.1% between January and April. Here is a quick look at the numbers:
- 625,633 active tech job postings in September 2026
- 25,215 tech support specialist postings in August 2026
- 3.1% tech unemployment rate in May 2026, according to Dice’s summary of CompTIA’s June report
A 3.1% unemployment rate means most skilled tech workers already have jobs. That makes hiring harder for everyone else.
Why Employers Say Good IT Support Candidates Are Hard to Find
Many Employers Report Hiring Trouble
ManpowerGroup’s 2026 survey found that 72% of employers have trouble filling roles. That number was 74% the year before. So the problem is not going away.
Another 2026 hiring survey found that 58% of employers say finding qualified workers is harder than it was a year ago. Even when many people apply, few have the full set of skills needed.
Postings Are Up, but Hiring Is Not Keeping Pace
Here is something that surprises many HR teams. In September, CompTIA’s numbers showed postings at a three-year high. At the same time, the tech sector lost about 10,000 jobs.
This tells us employers want to hire. But roles are staying open because they can’t find a match, or they take too long to decide.
Is IT Support Demand Shrinking? What the Government Data Shows
BLS Projects a Small Decline
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics sees a different picture for the long term. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook projects computer support jobs to drop 3% from 2024 to 2034. That is about 24,200 fewer jobs.
Here are the key BLS facts:
- About 729,500 people worked as computer user support specialists in 2024
- About 152,700 worked as computer network support specialists
- Employers still need to fill thousands of openings each year, because workers retire, change jobs, or move up
Why the Numbers Seem to Disagree
Job postings are rising now, but BLS expects slower growth over ten years. Both can be true. Companies need IT support staff today. Over time, automation may handle simple tasks like password resets.
That means the openings you have now are real. But the people you hire need more than basic skills.
How the IT Support Job Has Changed
Simple Tasks Are Being Automated
Chatbots and AI tools now handle many easy requests. This means fewer pure Tier 1 jobs. What is left are harder problems that need a real person.
New Skills Are in Demand
Employers now want IT support staff who can do more. CompTIA reports that 349,821 active tech postings in September asked for AI skills. That number has grown about 282% since May 2024.
For IT support roles, this often means:
- Helping staff use new AI tools
- Fixing problems with cloud apps and remote setups
- Spotting security risks before they grow
- Explaining tech problems in plain words
A candidate who only knows the basics may not be enough for these roles anymore. This is a big part of the skills gap.
IT Support Salaries Today
What BLS Says IT Support Pays
Pay depends on the type of role. In May 2024, BLS reported these median yearly wages:
- Computer user support specialists: $60,340
- Computer network support specialists: $73,340
What This Means for Your Offers
When tech unemployment is low, strong candidates have choices. If your offer sits below the market, they will take another job. Check current pay for your area before you post a role.
Speed matters too. Good IT support candidates often get several offers within days of applying.
Where the IT Support Skills Gap Shows Up Most
Network Support Roles
Network support specialists are hard to find because the work is more technical. BLS shows they earn more than user support staff, which reflects the extra skill needed.
Help Desk and Desktop Support
These roles get the most applicants, but not all are ready. Many entry-level candidates lack hands-on experience. Employers often want someone who can work with little training.
Roles That Mix Support and Security
Security tasks are now part of many IT support jobs. Candidates who understand both are rare. They are also the ones who get hired fastest.
Ways Hiring Managers Can Fill IT Support Roles Faster
Look Beyond the Four-Year Degree
Many strong IT support workers learned through certifications and hands-on work. CompTIA data from June 2026 shows that 72% of tech support specialist postings and 89% of network support specialist postings did not require a four-year degree.
If your posting still asks for a degree, you may be missing good candidates.
Test Skills, Not Just Resumes
A resume does not always show what a person can do. Try a short hands-on test or a real troubleshooting question. This helps you find people who can solve problems, not just people who list the right words.
Write Clear Job Posts
Many job posts ask for too much. Keep the must-have skills short and clear. List the tools your team uses. Share the pay range.
Move Fast
Top candidates don’t wait long. Try to:
- Reply to applicants within 48 hours
- Keep interviews to two rounds when possible
- Make offers quickly after the final interview
Use a Direct Hire Partner
A direct hire staffing firm already knows where the skilled candidates are. They screen for skills before you ever see a resume. This saves your team time and helps you fill the role with someone who plans to stay.
So, is there an IT support talent shortage? Not a shortage of people, but a shortage of the right fit. Employers who move fast, pay fairly, and test for real skills have the best chance of winning top talent. If you need help filling an IT support role, Tier2Tek offers direct hire staffing for IT support and CAD positions.