Application Specialist Salary

Created by Henry Steele

By Henry Steele - April 15, 2018
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The following article discusses the career path of Application Specialist. Learn about how to become one, education requirements, job duties, traits and qualities, national salary outlook as well as top national employers of Application Specialists.

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Job Duties

Application specialists advise and help computer users within businesses and organizations. Sometimes, they support the network, whereas at other times, they support those who directly use the application. They often have to provide remote assistance to those who require help, although this may also be offered in person.

They can be responsible for resolving a host of problems, depending on where they work and which application they specialize in. Sometimes, they work for huge organizations and provide instructions on a range of applications. At other times, they focus on a single application and develop solutions for the organization as a whole, rather than the end users. In some cases, their focus is on the hardware supporting the particular application they specialize in.

Other job duties of the application specialist are:

  • To evaluate and test applications they have designed or support
  • To ensure that applications are maintained properly and remain fit for purpose
  • To troubleshoot problems with their applications and supporting systems
  • To provide remote or in person support to end users
  • To monitor the development and adoption of applications and report on this to senior management

Where We Work

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 835,300 computer support specialists in 2016, a profession closely related to that of application specialist. The largest employers of these professionals are as follows:

  • 198,800 computer network support specialists worked in:
    • Computer systems design and related services 18%
    • Wired telecommunications carriers 10%
    • Finance and insurance 8%
    • Management of companies and enterprises 6%
    • Data processing, hosting, and related services 4%
  • 636,600 computer user support specialists worked in:
    • Computer systems design and related services 21%
    • Educational services; state, local, and private 12%
    • Management of companies and enterprises 5%
    • Temporary help services 4%
    • Software publishers 3%

How to Become

Application specialists can work in a huge variety of computer support positions. As a result, there are many ways in which someone can become this type of professional. That said, most of them hold a bachelor’s degree, although there are still a few who only hold a high school degree, GED, or associate’s degree and have grown on the job but this is quite rare.

Education Requirements

The exact education requirements for an application specialist vary significantly. There is, naturally, a requirement for them to have an understanding of computers, although this doesn’t have to be at the post-secondary level. Those who have completed courses in relation to computers may also qualify. An associate’s degree may still be accepted in some organizations.

Larger companies, on the other hand, will generally only hire those who hold a relevant bachelor’s degree. The more technical the application they specialize in, the more relevant their degree subject becomes. Many have a bachelor’s degree in fields such as information science, engineering, or computer science.

All application specialists must ensure that their knowledge remains up to date. This means they spend a lot of time on continuous education classes. Often, these classes and courses also lead to certifications. Often, they are specific to the application’s vendor, although others are more general in nature.

Traits & Qualities

The most effective application specialists have the following traits to some degree or other:

– Excellent customer service skills and being able to slowly and patiently provide explanations
– Great listening skills, which means being able to read between the lines and hear what is really being said
– Strong problem solving skills
– Excellent communication skills, particularly on oral communication, specifically being able to translate complex application jargon into an easy to understand language
– Writing skills

Minimum Education

Bachelor’s Degree

National Salary

The national average salary estimate for Application Specialist was $62,451. This number is estimated from over 829,036 employees, users past and present job advertisements from Indeed.com. This equates to an hourly salary of $32.53 and monthly of $5,204.

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$14,000

$146,000

Salary Distribution

Salary by State

The following section lists Application Specialist salaries in each state around the country. The figures are based on the total number of job postings through Indeed.com. For example, New Jersey had the largest quoted salary of $93,458 while Kentucky had the smallest quoted salary of $28,243.

AlabamaKentuckyOhio
ArkansasLouisianaOklahoma
ArizonaMassachusettsOregon
CaliforniaMarylandPennsylvania
ColoradoMaineRhode Island
ConnecticutMichiganSouth Carolina
DCMinnesotaSouth Dakota
DelawareMissouriTennessee
FloridaMontanaTexas
GeorgiaNorth CarolinaUtah
IowaNew HampshireVirginia
IdahoNew JerseyVermont
IllinoisNew MexicoWashington
IndianaNevadaWisconsin
KansasNew YorkWyoming
Alabama – $68,591Rank: 10th
The average salary ranks 10th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CyberCoders and TEKsystems.

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$29,000

$125,000

Salary Distribution
Arkansas – $29,048Rank: 43rd
The average salary ranks 43rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like University of Arkansas and TEKsystems.

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$14,000

$111,000

Salary Distribution
Arizona – $32,947Rank: 41st
The average salary ranks 41st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Cigna, Department of Veterans Affairs, University of Arizona, and Accounting Principals.

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$7.25

$36.10

Salary Distribution
California – $82,509Rank: 3rd
The average salary ranks 3rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Tesla Motors, A-Life Medical, INLAND EMPIRE HEALTH PLAN, and Phoenix 2.0.

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$24,000

$175,000

Salary Distribution
Colorado – $53,974Rank: 22nd
The average salary ranks 22nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CyberCoders, Avaya, Robert Half Technology, and University of Colorado.

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$14,000

$122,000

Salary Distribution
Connecticut – $79,753Rank: 5th
The average salary ranks 5th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Apex Systems, CyberCoders, Cigna, and Selective Insurance Company of America.

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$29,000

$155,000

Salary Distribution
DC – $80,429Rank: 4th
The average salary ranks 4th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CyberCoders, M9 Solutions, and Federal Government Jobs.

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$23,000

$172,000

Salary Distribution
Delaware – $79,722Rank: 6th
The average salary ranks 6th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Cigna, Department of Technology and Information, and Citi.

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$19,000

$182,000

Salary Distribution
Florida – $64,266Rank: 15th
The average salary ranks 15th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Ascendo Resources, Robert Half Technology, City of St. Petersburg, and MM Staffing.

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$14,000

$150,000

Salary Distribution
Georgia – $45,415Rank: 33rd
The average salary ranks 33rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CyberCoders, iStaff, Augusta Staffing, and University of Georgia.

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$14,000

$94,000

Salary Distribution
Iowa – $33,369Rank: 40th
The average salary ranks 40th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like The River Group Inc., infinite Computer Solution, TEKsystems, and Aerotek.

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$7.25

$44.60

Salary Distribution
Idaho – $42,721Rank: 35th
The average salary ranks 35th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Jelli, Inc..

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$21,000

$65,000

Salary Distribution
Illinois – $61,590Rank: 18th
The average salary ranks 18th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Davalyn Corporation, Connexis Search Group, IBM, and CPS, Inc. (Consumer Products Laboratory Division).

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$17,000

$132,000

Salary Distribution
Indiana – $57,458Rank: 20th
The average salary ranks 20th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Nigel Frank International, Cummins, Robert Half Technology, and Accounting Principals.

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$14,000

$129,000

Salary Distribution
Kansas – $57,929Rank: 19th
The average salary ranks 19th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like TEKsystems, Altek, and Accountemps.

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$22,000

$111,000

Salary Distribution
Kentucky – $28,243Rank: 45th
The average salary ranks 45th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like TEKsystems, Aramark, and Adecco.

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$7.25

$37.30

Salary Distribution
Louisiana – $49,575Rank: 27th
The average salary ranks 27th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like IBM.

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$14,000

$110,000

Salary Distribution
Massachusetts – $68,820Rank: 9th
The average salary ranks 9th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like UMass Memorial Medical Center, City of Cambridge, AVCO CONSULTING INC, and The Sales Zone.

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$23,000

$137,000

Salary Distribution
Maryland – $66,235Rank: 12th
The average salary ranks 12th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like OpalStaff, Absolute Opportunities, Robert Half Finance & Accounting, and TEKsystems.

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$16,000

$150,000

Salary Distribution
Maine – $45,963Rank: 31st
The average salary ranks 31st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CyberCoders.

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$17,000

$88,000

Salary Distribution
Michigan – $64,063Rank: 16th
The average salary ranks 16th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CyberCoders, Altair Engineering, Cerner Corporation, and Trinity Health.

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$18,000

$136,000

Salary Distribution
Minnesota – $65,550Rank: 13th
The average salary ranks 13th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Alliance Search Solutions, Cummins, Minnesota IT Services, and Robert Half Technology.

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$22,000

$132,000

Salary Distribution
Missouri – $63,299Rank: 17th
The average salary ranks 17th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Nigel Frank International, Next Step Systems, Diopsys, Inc., and Softpath System LLC.

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$14,000

$147,000

Salary Distribution
Montana – $45,955Rank: 32nd
The average salary ranks 32nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Helena Public Schools and Frontline Processing Corporation.

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$23,000

$77,000

Salary Distribution
North Carolina – $72,172Rank: 7th
The average salary ranks 7th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like North Carolina State University, Connexis Search Group, IBM, and University of North Carolina.

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$23,000

$146,000

Salary Distribution
New Hampshire – $38,112Rank: 37th
The average salary ranks 37th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Madison Resources.

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$9.45

$33.95

Salary Distribution
New Jersey – $93,458Rank: 1st
The average salary ranks 1st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Nigel Frank International, IRIS Software, Inc., TEKsystems, and Plymouth Rock Management Company of New Jersey.

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$26,000

$202,000

Salary Distribution
New Mexico – $37,094Rank: 38th
The average salary ranks 38th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Sabio Systems.

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$7.25

$40.20

Salary Distribution
Nevada – $51,639Rank: 25th
The average salary ranks 25th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like University of Nevada, Reno and Robert Half Technology.

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$19,000

$100,000

Salary Distribution
New York – $85,907Rank: 2nd
The average salary ranks 2nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like DEPT OF INFO TECH & TELECOMM, Washington Frank, MTA Headquarters, and MTA.

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$24,000

$186,000

Salary Distribution
Ohio – $28,742Rank: 44th
The average salary ranks 44th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Robert Half Technology, Accountemps, Accounting Principals, and A-Line Staffing.

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$7.25

$38.95

Salary Distribution
Oklahoma – $56,626Rank: 21st
The average salary ranks 21st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Rowland Group, The and Accountemps.

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$14,000

$129,000

Salary Distribution
Oregon – $46,713Rank: 30th
The average salary ranks 30th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Technocraft Solutions and Robert Half Technology.

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$7.25

$55.20

Salary Distribution
Pennsylvania – $52,896Rank: 24th
The average salary ranks 24th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like The Advantage Group, Inc., CyberCoders, Federal Government Jobs, and TMG Health, Inc..

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$14,000

$132,000

Salary Distribution
Rhode Island – $45,388Rank: 34th
The average salary ranks 34th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CSC.

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$7.25

$70.00

Salary Distribution
South Carolina – $47,131Rank: 28th
The average salary ranks 28th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Della Infotech Inc.

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$14,000

$117,000

Salary Distribution
South Dakota – $39,072Rank: 36th
The average salary ranks 36th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Good Samaritan Society.

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$10.20

$30.75

Salary Distribution
Tennessee – $53,107Rank: 23rd
The average salary ranks 23rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Volunteer State Community College, The Sedona Group, Vdart Inc, and Accountemps.

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$14,000

$138,000

Salary Distribution
Texas – $67,345Rank: 11th
The average salary ranks 11th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like IBM, University of Texas Medical Branch, JDA Professional Services, Inc., and National Instruments.

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$17,000

$151,000

Salary Distribution
Utah – $31,353Rank: 42nd
The average salary ranks 42nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Intermountain Home Care, Intermountain Healthcare, and TEKsystems.

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$7.25

$29.60

Salary Distribution
Virginia – $64,973Rank: 14th
The average salary ranks 14th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Request Technology, Scope Group, Piper Enterprise Solutions, and City of Virginia Beach.

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$16,000

$146,000

Salary Distribution
Vermont – $46,982Rank: 29th
The average salary ranks 29th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like State of Vermont.

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$12.25

$36.80

Salary Distribution
Washington – $35,097Rank: 39th
The average salary ranks 39th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like State of Washington, CyberCoders, Accountemps, and Accounting Principals.

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$7.25

$41.20

Salary Distribution
Wisconsin – $69,330Rank: 8th
The average salary ranks 8th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Nigel Frank International, CyberCoders, Aerotek, and Accountemps.

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$19,000

$150,000

Salary Distribution
Wyoming – $50,208Rank: 26th
The average salary ranks 26th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Wyoming Department of Health.

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$2,100

$6,400

Salary Distribution

Top 20 National Employers

According to Indeed.com, the following states had employers looking to hire a Application Specialist. The quoted salary figure represents the average salary from all job postings by this employer.

Employer NameLocationAverage Salary
Phoenix 2.0 Application SpecialistCalifornia$150,000
Citicorp Credit Services, Inc. (USA) Application SpecialistNew York$146,064
Citi Application SpecialistNew York$138,006
Diedre Moire Application SpecialistCalifornia$135,352
Material and Contract Services, Inc. Application SpecialistNew York$127,502
ADP Technology Services, Inc. Application SpecialistNew Jersey$123,157
Nigel Frank International Application SpecialistCalifornia$121,493
Selective Insurance Company of America Application SpecialistNew Jersey$119,977
Sierra-Cedar, Inc. Application SpecialistGeorgia$119,570
Symantec Application SpecialistCalifornia$117,403
Sherpa LLC Application SpecialistNorth Carolina$117,325
Full Suite Solutions Application SpecialistMaryland$116,370
SAP Application SpecialistPennsylvania$116,199
Federal Government Jobs Application SpecialistDC$114,323

Learn More

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Henry Steele
Managing Editor
Henry is Managing Editor of BusinessStudent.com. He is a seasoned business professional who regularly consults with local business's throughout Southern California. Henry pursued his undergrad in Business and Economics at the University of San Diego and gained valuable life changing experience through a unique internship upon graduation.

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