I'm worked for 20 years in legal admin. But during my life I've accumulated a lot of computer and Office expertise (Windows, Mac, bash, zsh, etc.), and usually can grok the ins and outs of new software pretty quickly.<p>In addition to my existing knowledge I'm a good problem-solver and know how to Google answers and adapt them to the problem at hand, and already have done a lot of informal help desk at every job I've been at. The help desk at my current employer know I'm a good liaison.<p>I get a kick out of helping people with their problems one-on-one.<p>In short I feel I'm a talented amateur who has the above inclinations and the skills, but I'm at a total loss as to how to take that and transition it to a paying job opening in the field.<p>Do I need formal certifications, and if so, from which entities (I see Microsoft and Google both have certificates)?<p>Are there ways to discover where the gaps in my knowledge lay (which I probably don't know exist) for a typical help desk technician?<p>Is there a way to learn what an average help desk tech salary in my metropolitan area would be?<p>This and any other advice would be appreciated.
Have you checked out job postings on Indeed to see what help desk jobs are paying?<p>That's where I'd start. Check out what employers are asking for as far as certifications go. A while back, experience was good, but some wanted the CompTIA Network+ or A+ certifications.