NLP Engineer vs IT Support Specialist: Which Pays More?
Side-by-side salary comparison by city, experience level, and career growth outlook. Data reflects current market rates.
NLP Engineer
Build natural language processing systems and text AI models.
IT Support Specialist
Provide technical support for hardware, software, and networks.
NLP Engineer earns more on average — the national median is $58,370/year (94%) higher than a IT Support Specialist. However, salaries vary significantly by city, employer, and experience level — see the city-by-city breakdown below.
NLP Engineer vs IT Support Specialist — Salary by City
National median figures in USD across top cities.
| City | NLP Engineer | IT Support Specialist | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $175,055 | $92,808 | NLP +$82,247 |
| New York, NY | $135,980 | $72,917 | NLP +$63,063 |
| Seattle, WA | $174,364 | $86,967 | NLP +$87,397 |
| Austin, TX | $137,212 | $69,244 | NLP +$67,968 |
| Chicago, IL | $129,954 | $64,877 | NLP +$65,077 |
| Boston, MA | $156,119 | $79,215 | NLP +$76,904 |
| London, UK | £94,915 | £47,998 | NLP +$46,917 |
| Toronto, Canada | CA$156,823 | CA$84,196 | NLP +$72,627 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a NLP Engineer or IT Support Specialist earn more?+
A NLP Engineer earns more on average. The national median salary for a NLP Engineer is $120,230/year, compared to $61,860/year for a IT Support Specialist — a difference of $58,370 (94%).
Which has better career growth — NLP Engineer or IT Support Specialist?+
NLP Engineer roles are growing at 42% YoY while IT Support Specialist demand is growing at 5% YoY. NLP Engineer has stronger near-term demand growth.
Can you switch from NLP Engineer to IT Support Specialist?+
Yes. Many professionals transition between these roles, especially since both are in the same category. Shared skills include: analytical thinking, communication, and industry knowledge.
Which is harder to automate — NLP Engineer or IT Support Specialist?+
NLP Engineer has a lower AI automation risk (20% vs 71%). Based on Oxford Martin School and McKinsey 2023 analysis.