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Client Support Analyst, Computer Specialist, Customer Service Representative, Help Desk Support Analyst, Information Clerk, Information Technology Specialist, Network Support Specialist, Technical Support Analyst
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.
Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.
2006 NOC
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
2023 OaSIS
This job is growing and changing with technology. Duties vary but, in general, customer support analysts:
They also may:
Solving users’ problems is a big part of the job. To solve problems, they:
Customer support analysts must keep their knowledge and skills up to date. To do so, they work with other experts, read manuals and trade magazines, and go to trade shows and workshops.
Customer support analysts usually specialize. They may focus on certain types of computers or software. They could also focus on certain types of problems. For more information, see the Information Systems Consultant occupational profile.
Customer support analysts work in offices and remotely from home. They may work standard office hours or shifts. Shifts can include evening and weekend hours. They sometimes need to be on call. They may need to work overtime to meet deadlines or solve problems.
Their need to travel may depend on where users are based. Analysts who install hardware may need to lift heavy computer parts.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
To find out how well this occupation fits your work personality types, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
Click or tap a personality type for its description.
Find other alis occupations that match this occupation’s work personalities.
To identify or change your work personalities, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
User support technicians
2023 OaSIS: 22221.00
The graph below shows how well your scores match the overall abilities for this occupation.
The closer your ability scores are to the center, the more they match this occupation’s. The further away they are, the less they match this occupation’s.
The lower your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the more challenging the occupation will likely be for you. The higher your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the less challenging the occupation will likely be for you.
To find out how well this occupation fits your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
The 49 abilities are grouped into 5 abilities sets: Critical Thinking, Numbers and Patterns, Physical Activity, Mind-Body Coordination, and Senses.
Some abilities are more relevant to an occupation than other abilities. Individual abilities that are not relevant to an occupation are greyed out.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
Critical Thinking includes 9 abilities related to identifying and solving problems, thinking of ideas, and communication, such as speaking and writing.
This is how well your scores match the set of Critical Thinking abilities for this occupation:
Numbers and Patterns includes 10 abilities related to math, memorizing, and multitasking. It also includes how we perceive patterns, shapes, and distances.
This is how well your scores match the set of Numbers and Patterns abilities for this occupation:
Physical Activity includes 9 abilities related to strength, balance, flexibility, coordination, and endurance.
This is how well your scores match the set of Physical Activity abilities for this occupation:
Mind-Body Coordination includes 9 abilities related to movement control and how we react to signals. It also includes fine motor skills, such finger and hand dexterity and hand-eye coordination.
This is how well your scores match the set of Mind-Body Coordination abilities for this occupation:
Senses includes 12 abilities related to seeing, hearing, and speaking.
This is how well your scores match the set of Senses abilities for this occupation:
Customer support analysts need:
Customer support analysts should enjoy technology. They should also enjoy analyzing problems and finding creative solutions. They should enjoy taking an ordered approach to work. Their work requires precision.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 111 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Feb 13, 2025 and Oct 08, 2025.
Review these skills to learn:
| Tasks: Collect, organize and maintain a problems and solutions log for use by other technical support analysts | 98 |
|---|---|
| Tasks: Provide advice and training to users in response to identified difficulties | 95 |
| Tasks: Communicate electronically and in person with computer users experiencing difficulties to determine and document problems experienced | 94 |
| Tasks: Provide business systems, network and Internet support to users in response to identified difficulties | 87 |
| Tasks: Consult user guides, technical manuals and other documents to research and implement solutions | 85 |
| Tasks: Set up equipment for employee use, performing or ensuring proper installation of cables, operating systems, or appropriate software | 71 |
| Experience: 1 year to less than 2 years | 66 |
| Tasks: Participate in the redesign of applications and other software | 59 |
| Tasks: Supervise other technical support workers in this group | 58 |
| Construction Specialization: Organized | 50 |
Most customer support analysts complete post-secondary education in computer science or a related field. Options include:
These programs are offered by:
For related programs, see the Computer Network Administrator and Computer Programmer occupational profiles. After completing a program, they must continue taking courses to stay current.
Before enrolling in a program, people thinking about this job should:
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
Certain professional titles or duties within this occupation are protected by provincial legislation. Requirements vary if you use these titles or perform these duties.
The related legislation is shown below. If there are multiple related legislations, select a certification heading to learn about each one.
Information systems professionals investigate, analyze, design, develop, or manage information systems based on computer and related technologies. They do so objectively applying specialized knowledge and professional judgement.
Information Systems Professional is a protected title under Alberta’s Professional and Occupational Associations Registration Act [pdf]. This means that to call yourself an Information Systems Professional or use the I.S.P. designation, you must be a registered member of the Canadian Information Processing Society of Alberta (CIPS Alberta).
You do not have to be registered if you do not call yourself an Information Systems Professional.
For information on what you need and other details, visit the certification profile Information Systems Professional.
Depending on the job, employers may require applicants to be certified in areas such as:
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Customer support analysts work for:
In some places, customer support analysts are the first tier in a 2- or 3-tier support system. They provide the first response to customers. They send problems that need greater expertise to technical support analysts.
Customer support analysts may advance to positions such as:
They may move into related positions, such as:
A person with the right qualifications could become:
This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
User support technicians
2016 NOC: 2282
76.5% of people in this occupational group work in:
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
This section shows the Alberta job market condition, or short-term demand forecast, for this occupation over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2024-2026 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.
This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Salaries for customer support analysts depend on their qualifications and responsibilities.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.
All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.
To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.
Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.
High Reliability, represents a CV of less than or equal to 6.00% and 30 survey observations and/or represents 50% or more of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $18.00 | $44.47 | $31.39 | $30.52 |
| Overall | $21.84 | $62.79 | $38.75 | $35.94 |
| Top | $24.63 | $74.18 | $42.36 | $38.46 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Pay brackets for hourly wages
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $76,883 |
|---|---|
| Oil & Gas Extraction | $77,499 |
| Construction | $70,331 |
| Manufacturing | $116,720 |
| Wholesale Trade | $64,577 |
| Retail Trade | $55,951 |
| Transportation and Warehousing | $67,077 |
| Information, Culture, Recreation | $72,964 |
| Finance, Insurance, Real Estate, Leasing | $61,238 |
| Professional, Scientific & Technical Services | $71,570 |
| Educational Services | $72,535 |
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $68,026 |
| Public Administration | $79,731 |
Canadian Information Processing Society (CIPS) of Alberta website: ab.cips.ca
Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC) website: www.ictc-ctic.ca
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 31, 2022. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.
