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.

I get a kick out of helping people with their problems one-on-one.

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.

Do I need formal certifications, and if so, from which entities (I see Microsoft and Google both have certificates)?

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?

Is there a way to learn what an average help desk tech salary in my metropolitan area would be?

This and any other advice would be appreciated.