IT Support Specialist Jobs in Chicago, IL
IT support specialists in Chicago earn a metro median of about $29 an hour, and downtown law firms such as Kirkland & Ellis and Sidley Austin post $62,000 to $83,000 for experienced service desk staff. Here are the current openings, followed by who is hiring and how to get certified.
Current IT support specialist Openings in Chicago, IL
Listings marked External are sponsored openings provided by the Jobs2Careers network.
IT Support Specialist Work in Chicago
Chicago's IT support jobs cluster downtown, where big law firms, trading houses and corporate headquarters need people on site to keep laptops, phones and Microsoft 365 running. Kirkland & Ellis staffs a 24/7 service desk from its Wolf Point offices, Sidley Austin runs a Chicago service desk, and Harbor hires desktop support technicians at its Loop headquarters. These firms pay well but usually want several years of experience and on-site work.
The entry-level path runs through smaller employers and nonprofits. SRAM, the bicycle component maker, hires IT systems associates at its Chicago headquarters and accepts a high school diploma plus CompTIA, Microsoft or Cisco certifications in place of a degree, and the nonprofit Braven hires a hybrid IT support specialist in Chicago. Federal contractor GDIT also staffs desktop support across the Chicago region.
Top Chicago Employers Hiring IT Support Specialists
These Chicago employers have IT support, service desk and desktop support openings posted on their own careers sites:
- Kirkland & Ellis - the global law firm hires service desk and technology support analysts for on-site, round-the-clock support at $67,000 to $83,000.
- Sidley Austin - the law firm hires Chicago service desk technicians supporting Windows, Citrix and smartphones at $62,600 to $75,000.
- SRAM - the bicycle component maker hires on-site IT systems associates at its Chicago headquarters, an entry point for certified candidates.
- Harbor - the legal technology and consulting firm hires desktop support technicians at its Chicago Loop headquarters.
- Braven - the college-to-career nonprofit hires a hybrid IT support specialist in Chicago working in macOS and Google Workspace.
- GDIT - the federal IT contractor staffs desktop support across the Chicago region, with senior roles requiring a Public Trust clearance.
IT Support Specialist Salaries in Chicago
- Entry level: about $20 to $24 an hour, or $42,000 to $50,000 a year, for help desk and junior support roles.
- Experienced: roughly $28 to $38 an hour, or $60,000 to $80,000 a year, for service desk and desktop support analysts.
- Senior: $40 to $47 an hour and up, or $85,000 to $98,000 a year, for leads and senior analysts.
These are estimates built from federal wage data for the Chicago metro, where computer user support specialists earn a median of $29.20 an hour, and from ranges Chicago employers post under the Illinois pay transparency law. Law firms and financial companies pay the most, overnight and on-call coverage adds to pay, and certifications such as CompTIA A+ and Microsoft credentials help you clear the entry band faster.
How to Become an IT Support Specialist in Chicago
Illinois has no state license for IT support work. Employers want hands-on troubleshooting skills, and CompTIA A+, the vendor-neutral entry certification, is the credential most Chicago postings name. City Colleges of Chicago offers Networking Systems and Technology certificates and an associate degree at Daley, Kennedy-King, Olive-Harvey, Truman and Wright colleges that prepare students for A+ and Network+, and Malcolm X College on the Near West Side runs free continuing education courses in cloud and computer basics this fall.
What the Job Involves
IT support specialists answer tickets, calls and walk-up requests from employees whose computers, accounts or devices are not working. Daily tasks include resetting passwords, setting up and imaging laptops, installing software, fixing printer and network issues, managing phones, logging every request in a ticketing system such as ServiceNow, and escalating harder problems to systems and network teams.
Skills Employers Look For
- Windows and macOS troubleshooting
- Microsoft 365, Active Directory and Intune
- Laptop imaging and hardware setup
- Ticketing systems such as ServiceNow or Jira
- CompTIA A+ or Microsoft certifications
- Patient, clear communication with non-technical users
- Willingness to work on site and cover shifts
Career Path and Advancement
Most Chicago IT support careers start on a help desk, move to desktop or service desk analyst in two to three years, and then branch into systems administration, networking, cloud or security. Downtown law firms promote experienced analysts into team lead roles, and the City Colleges networking and cybersecurity programs give a direct next step for anyone who wants to move up from support.
Related Careers in Chicago
If IT support interests you, these related Chicago roles are close matches:
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a license to work in IT support in Illinois?
No. Illinois does not license IT support specialists. Employers look at your experience and certifications instead, and CompTIA A+ is the one most often requested.
How much do IT support specialists make in Chicago?
The Chicago metro median for computer user support specialists is about $29.20 an hour, or $60,730 a year. Entry roles start near $42,000 to $50,000, and experienced law firm service desk analysts post $62,000 to $83,000.
Can I get an IT support job in Chicago without a degree?
Yes. Many employers accept a high school diploma or GED plus certifications. SRAM, for example, accepts CompTIA, Microsoft or Cisco certifications in place of a bachelor's degree for its IT systems associate role.
How long does it take to get CompTIA A+ certified?
A+ requires passing two exams, Core 1 and Core 2, each up to 90 questions in 90 minutes. Study time depends on your hands-on experience, and the City Colleges Networking Systems and Technology program is built to prepare students for it.
Are IT support jobs in Chicago remote?
Mostly not. Desktop and service desk roles at Chicago law firms and manufacturers are usually on site because the work involves hands-on hardware, though some nonprofits and smaller firms offer hybrid schedules.
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