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Exploring Trades and Occupations

User Support Technicians

On this page

  • Job description
  • Advancement and mobility
  • Hourly wage
  • Job prospects for 2022-2026
  • Sectors of activity
  • Training and requirements
  • Main skills and characteristics
  • Personality profiles (RIASEC)
  • Additional information

Job description

These individuals provide assistance to users who are experiencing computer difficulties. They are self-employed or work for:

  • Manufacturers and retailers of computer equipment
  • Software developers
  • Call centres
  • Private and public sector computer services
  • Technical support companies

Environment

  • Controlled ambient temperature

Main tasks

  • Identify and document problems encountered by users.
  • Identify and implement solutions by referring to user guides and technical manuals.
  • Advise and train users in response to difficulties encountered.
  • Provide support to users of administrative, network, and Internet systems.
  • Maintain a log documenting problems and solutions.
  • Participate in writing specifications for applications or software.
  • Supervise staff, as required.

Advancement and mobility

  • Experience leads to various positions (programming, web development, systems analysis, etc.).

Hourly wage

The hourly wage is calculated by averaging wages from 2020 to 2022.
Minimum
$18.00
Median
$28.21
Maximum
$43.27

Job prospects for 2022-2026

sr.comparaison-region.titre

Les 2 champs de sélection ci-dessous vous permettent de comparer 2 régions. Les données des régions seront automatiquement mises à jour à la sélection. Par défaut, la province de Québec est sélectionnée pour la première région.

Job prospects for 2022-2026

Job prospects

All of Québec

Non available
Limited
Good
Very good
Very good

All of Québec

Non available
Limited
Good
Very good
Non available

Total jobs for 2021

All of Québec

11,000

All of Québec

na

Gender distribution

All of Québec

Not available.
22% Female
78% Male

Not available.
  • 22% Female
  • 78% Male

Job types

All of Québec

Not available.
Full time
Part time

Not available.
  • Full time
  • Part time

Yearly wage on 2015

All of Québec

$52,000

All of Québec

Other characteristics

All of Québec

  • Non traditional for women
  • None

All of Québec

  • Non traditional for women
  • None

Sectors of activity

All of Québec

Not available.
  1. Computer Systems Design and Related Services
    NAICS 5415
    20% of jobs
  2. Information and Cultural Industries
    NAICS 51
    17% of jobs
  3. Public Administration
    NAICS 91
    9% of jobs
  4. Business, building and other support services
    NAICS 55, 56
    8% of jobs
  5. Educational Services
    NAICS 61
    7% of jobs
  6. Others
    39% of jobs

All of Québec

Not available.
  1. Computer Systems Design and Related Services
    NAICS 5415
    20% of jobs
  2. Information and Cultural Industries
    NAICS 51
    17% of jobs
  3. Public Administration
    NAICS 91
    9% of jobs
  4. Business, building and other support services
    NAICS 55, 56
    8% of jobs
  5. Educational Services
    NAICS 61
    7% of jobs
  6. Others
    39% of jobs

Training and requirements

Formation

Most training programs are offered in French only.

Secondary

DVS in computing Support This hyperlink will open in a new window.
Code : 5729
More on graduates’ employment situation
DVS in soutien informatique This hyperlink will open in a new window.
Code : 5229

Placement rate: 72.5%

18.3% of graduates pursue further studies

More on graduates’ employment situation
DVS in soutien informatique (Nouvelle version) This hyperlink will open in a new window.
Code : 5385

College

DCS in administration générale (Programme expérimental) This hyperlink will open in a new window.
Code : 410E0
DCS in computer Science Technology This hyperlink will open in a new window.
Code : 420B0

Placement rate: 58.4%

37.5% of graduates pursue further studies

More on graduates’ employment situation

Sometimes required

  • Experience in computer programming may be an asset.
  • Proficiency in a third language may be an asset.
  • Certification or training provided by software vendors may be required.

Main skills and characteristics

Skills

  • Data collection
  • Reading comprehension
  • Active listening
  • Oral expression
  • Critical thought
  • Solving complex problems
  • Written expression
  • Information processing
  • Judgment and decision-making
  • System analysis
  • Active learning
  • Teaching
  • Result evaluation
  • Time management
  • Service oriented
More Less skills

Abilities

  • Written comprehension
  • Oral comprehension
  • Verbal skills
  • Near vision
  • Speech clarity
  • Information organization
  • Written expression
  • Deductive reasoning
  • Speech recognition
  • Awareness of issues
  • Inductive reasoning
  • Digital dexterity
  • Classification
  • Idea generation
More Less abilities

Knowledge and attributes

  • Critical thinking
  • Autonomy
  • Spoken and written bilingualism (French and English)
  • Knowledge of customer and personalized services
  • Honesty
  • Capacity to work in a team
  • Rigour
  • Knowledge of computer science, digital and electronics
  • Vitality
  • Commitment to quality

Interests

  • Work in sales or client service
  • Work in computer science or information and communication technologies (ICT)
  • Assist and advise

Personality profiles (RIASEC)

Investigative
People with this profile prefer relying on theoretical knowledge before acting. They like observation, analysis and problem solving.
Realistic
People with this profile prefer carrying out concrete tasks and being physically involved in what they do.
Conventional
People with this profile prefer specific, well-defined tasks. They like to respect the order of things and follow established rules.
Additional information

Note about CNP

Occupational information is provided based on the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2016. The 5-digit code of the NOC 2021 is shown in parentheses for information purposes only for occupations that correspond to those of NOC 2016.

Official name of the NOC 2282 (22221)

User support technicians

Job titles

  • Call centre agent - technical support
  • Technical support analyst - systems
  • Technical support supervisor
  • Help desk technician
  • User support technician
  • Technical help desk agent
  • Help desk analyst - systems
  • Personal computer (pc) support analyst
  • Software technical support analyst
  • Hardware technical support analyst
  • Computer help desk representative - systems
  • Client support representative - systems
  • Systems support representative
  • Computer help desk supervisor
  • Deskside support technician
  • Software installation technician
  • Hardware installation technician
More Less job titles

Skill type

Natural and applied sciences and related occupations

Related occupations

  • Computer programmers and interactive media developers
  • Information systems analysts and consultants
  • Information systems testing technicians

See also

  • Glossary (PDF 229 Kb)
  • Québec emploi This hyperlink will open in a new window.

See also

Non traditional

Hats Off to You!

Last update: April 28, 2023

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