What Is an Implementation Specialist? How to Become One, Salary, Skills.

Implementation specialists apply technical expertise and foster customer relationships to make sure software products are installed properly and delivering value to the customer. Here’s what to know about an implementation specialist’s needed skills, salary and how to become one.

What Is an Implementation Specialist?

Implementation specialists ensure purchased software products are meeting customer needs and operating as intended. They ultimately aim to offer meaningful customer assistance and recommendations.

What Do Implementation Specialists Do?

Implementation specialists install, configure and troubleshoot software products and help customers understand how the technology functions. They are sent directly by the companies whose software was purchased.

Implementation Specialist Responsibilities

• Understand and troubleshoot company products, services and systems.
• Work with clients to install and customize products to user needs.
• Determine and review project and client consultation budgets. 
• Coordinate product needs between clients and company team members.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities of Implementation Specialists

• Inform clients of product functionalities and solution options.
• Travel to client locations to provide on-site assistance.
• Collect and analyze data and make informed client recommendations.
• Provide pre-sale product demonstrations for prospective customers. 

Implementation Specialists Within a Company

Implementation specialists are usually part of an IT team within a company. They may report to a senior implementation specialist or an implementation manager.

Importance of Implementation Specialists

Implementation specialists are important for offering user-specific product knowledge and maintaining customer satisfaction. They may act as the first point of contact between a client and a company, and provide hands-on assistance that otherwise may not be available to customers.

What Skills Are Needed to Be an Implementation Specialist?

Qualifications to Be an Implementation Specialist

• One or more years of experience in software implementation, technical consultancy or similar roles.
• Ability to efficiently diagnose and remedy technical issues.
• Ability to build and maintain customer relationships.
• Proficiency in technical product and system installation.

Implementation Specialist Prerequisites

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, IT or a related field.
• Company-specific product certifications.

Implementation Specialist Hard Skills

• Familiarity with computer software and hardware environments.
• Knowledge of programming languages (HTML, JavaScript, Python, SQL).
• Budgeting tools and techniques.
• Experience in database management systems.

Implementation Specialist Soft Skills

• Analytical skills.
• Customer service skills.
• Problem-solving skills.
• Verbal and written communication skills.

Tools and Programs Implementation Specialists Use

• Confluence 
• Google Workspace
• HTML
• JavaScript
• Jira 
• Microsoft 365 
• Python 
• SQL
• Visio 

How to Become an Implementation Specialist

Implementation Specialist Education and Experience

Implementation specialists usually earn a bachelor’s degree or similar education in computer science, IT or a related field.

Implementation specialists will also need to obtain one or more years of experience in software implementation, technical consultancy or similar roles. Knowledge of software installation and troubleshooting, customer service, programming languages, database management systems and budgeting tools are recommended.

Implementation Specialist Certificates and Courses

• Computer technician training for CompTIA A+ certification
• IT & Technical Support Guide to Helpdesk, Desktop & Servers
• Modern JavaScript From The Beginning
• The Complete SQL Bootcamp: Go from Zero to Hero

Implementation Specialist Career Path

Professionals often have prior experience as an IT specialist, software technician or similar roles before stepping into the implementation specialist role. After experience as an implementation specialist, professionals can move into roles like senior implementation specialist, implementation manager or product and operational specialist. 

Implementation Specialist Salary and Job Outlook

Implementation specialists are expected to have steady job growth, as employment for computer support specialists will increase six percent by 2031.

The full compensation package for an implementation specialist depends on a variety of factors, including but not limited to the candidate’s experience and geographic location. See below for detailed information on the average implementation specialist salary.