Post job

What does a computer laboratory assistant do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
Quoted expert
Ming Chow
What does a computer laboratory assistant do

The duties of a computer laboratory assistant vary in their place or industry of employment. In a school setting, a computer laboratory assistant is in charge of assisting users by addressing their issues and concerns, performing corrective measures and repairs, offering suggestions to users, and implementing the laboratory's policies and regulations. Furthermore, there are instances when they have to troubleshoot errors, produce progress reports, maintain software and hardware, provide instructions to users, and consult a more experienced colleague when experiencing a complex issue.

On this page

Computer laboratory assistant responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real computer laboratory assistant resumes:

  • Manage office technology equipment/machinery such as printers, scanners, PC/MAC.
  • Manage departmental computer labs, update departmental website and troubleshot relate PC/Mac applications.
  • Install CPU's, OS, drivers, and Bios.
  • Reset passwords, troubleshot as needed.
  • Provide repair services for PC's.
  • Experience with supporting multiple different OS platforms.
  • Maintain the cleanliness of the computers and other devices.
  • Conduct computer classes for students returning to school to get their GED
  • Provide assistance to students one on one with mathematics and science relate problems.
  • Tutor math students ranging from elementary, high school and college in mathematics.
  • Create and maintain center intranet and internet utilizing HTML coding and Microsoft FrontPage.
  • Convert traditional course curriculum into HTML and make ongoing updates to college website.
  • Cast and run agarose gels; interpret electrophoresis results to obtain PCR results.
  • Help students with the doubts regarding the tasks relate to the lab & Linux machines
  • Execute teaching methodologies for distant learning, high school, and GED online courses.

Computer laboratory assistant skills and personality traits

We calculated that 31% of Computer Laboratory Assistants are proficient in Computer Software, PowerPoint, and Mac. They’re also known for soft skills such as Customer-service skills, Listening skills, and Problem-solving skills.

We break down the percentage of Computer Laboratory Assistants that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Computer Software, 31%

    Skilled with the usage of video and digital imaging equipment Supervised and trained employees with computer software applications usage

  • PowerPoint, 5%

    Prepared PowerPoint presentations for classroom instruction.

  • Mac, 4%

    Managed departmental computer labs, updated departmental website and troubleshot related PC/Mac applications.

  • Computer Programs, 3%

    Supervised computer labs during hours of operation, assisted students and alumni with troubleshooting documents and computer programs.

  • Windows XP, 3%

    Resolve students' problems regarding PC hardware, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2012..

  • Technical Assistance, 3%

    Provided technical assistance including: software installation, troubleshooting computer programming/software issues and assignment completion assistance for individual users.

Common skills that a computer laboratory assistant uses to do their job include "computer software," "powerpoint," and "mac." You can find details on the most important computer laboratory assistant responsibilities below.

Customer-service skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a computer laboratory assistant to have is customer-service skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "computer support specialists must be patient and sympathetic." Computer laboratory assistants often use customer-service skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "assisted customers with computer issues learned numerous computer programs reimaged computers weekly"

Listening skills. Another essential skill to perform computer laboratory assistant duties is listening skills. Computer laboratory assistants responsibilities require that "support workers must be able to understand the problems that their customers are describing and know when to ask questions to clarify the situation." Computer laboratory assistants also use listening skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "communicated with students with disabilities to determine which adaptive computer programs would be most beneficial for them. "

Problem-solving skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of computer laboratory assistants is problem-solving skills. This skill is critical to many everyday computer laboratory assistant duties, as "support workers must identify both simple and complex computer problems, analyze them, and solve them." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "employed knowledge of pcs, laptops, and tablets to troubleshoot issues and guide positive solutions. "

Speaking skills. computer laboratory assistant responsibilities often require "speaking skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "support workers must describe the solutions to computer problems in a way that a nontechnical person can understand." This resume example shows what computer laboratory assistants do with speaking skills on a typical day: "addressed all computer related questions and technical questions regarding computer programs to ensure 100% satisfaction by computer lab users. "

Writing skills. Another crucial skill for a computer laboratory assistant to carry out their responsibilities is "writing skills." A big part of what computer laboratory assistants relies on this skill, since "strong writing skills are useful for preparing instructions and email responses for employees and customers, as well as for real-time web chat interactions." How this skill relates to computer laboratory assistant duties can be seen in an example from a computer laboratory assistant resume snippet: "trained staff trainees on general word processing, resume writing and email skills. "

Most common computer laboratory assistant skills

The three companies that hire the most computer laboratory assistants are:

Choose from 10+ customizable computer laboratory assistant resume templates

Build a professional computer laboratory assistant resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your computer laboratory assistant resume.
Computer Laboratory Assistant Resume
Computer Laboratory Assistant Resume
Computer Laboratory Assistant Resume
Computer Laboratory Assistant Resume
Computer Laboratory Assistant Resume
Computer Laboratory Assistant Resume
Computer Laboratory Assistant Resume
Computer Laboratory Assistant Resume
Computer Laboratory Assistant Resume
Computer Laboratory Assistant Resume
Computer Laboratory Assistant Resume
Computer Laboratory Assistant Resume
Computer Laboratory Assistant Resume
Computer Laboratory Assistant Resume
Computer Laboratory Assistant Resume
Computer Laboratory Assistant Resume

Compare different computer laboratory assistants

Computer laboratory assistant vs. Trainee

Trainees' general responsibility is to familiarize themselves with the best practices and processes of their chosen careers. Some of the trainee's duties include shadowing with a tenured employee to understand various tasks, taking practical examinations to test knowledge extent, maintaining the eagerness to learn and a positive working attitude, assisting with customer inquiries, escalating concerns, and maintaining record progress. A trainee should be a team player, a fast learner, and the ability to handle constructive criticisms for improvement.

If we compare the average computer laboratory assistant annual salary with that of a trainee, we find that trainees typically earn a $8,930 higher salary than computer laboratory assistants make annually.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both computer laboratory assistant and trainee positions are skilled in powerpoint, c++, and cad.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between computer laboratory assistants and trainee. For instance, computer laboratory assistant responsibilities require skills such as "computer software," "mac," "computer programs," and "windows xp." Whereas a trainee is skilled in "customer service," "cdl," "training programs," and "work ethic." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Trainees really shine in the finance industry with an average salary of $41,186. Comparatively, computer laboratory assistants tend to make the most money in the education industry with an average salary of $32,659.On average, trainees reach higher levels of education than computer laboratory assistants. Trainees are 7.1% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 1.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Computer laboratory assistant vs. Lead technician

Lead technicians are technicians who oversee the technical needs of a specific project or department. They are usually tenured employees, and their familiarity with the company's technical and technological processes, software, and hardware would be a great advantage in succeeding in their role. Lead technicians are responsible for installing, updating, and maintaining various software and hardware components in the office. They often manage a group of technicians, and they ensure that the group they manage is properly trained and well-versed on the processes of the company. Lead technicians are expected to have strong analytical skills and decision-making skills.

Lead technician positions earn higher pay than computer laboratory assistant roles. They earn a $60,360 higher salary than computer laboratory assistants per year.A few skills overlap for computer laboratory assistants and lead technicians. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "windows xp," "technical issues," and "c++. "

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that computer laboratory assistant responsibilities requires skills like "computer software," "powerpoint," "mac," and "computer programs." But a lead technician might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "java," "architecture," "digital transformation," and "customer service."

Lead technicians may earn a higher salary than computer laboratory assistants, but lead technicians earn the most pay in the retail industry with an average salary of $109,487. On the other hand, computer laboratory assistants receive higher pay in the education industry, where they earn an average salary of $32,659.In general, lead technicians achieve higher levels of education than computer laboratory assistants. They're 7.7% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 1.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for computer laboratory assistants in the next 3-5 years?

Ming ChowMing Chow LinkedIn profile

Associate Teaching Professor, Tufts University

Infrastructure, including cloud and networking, Security, Machine Learning, and Data Science.

References:
1. cybersecurity
2. cybersecurity

Computer laboratory assistant vs. Technical support specialist

A technical support specialist is responsible for assisting customer's and businesses' concerns and system issues by performing troubleshooting and remote solutions. These specialists must have extensive knowledge of system applications, including software and hardware database to handle complex processes that might affect the end user's experience or the business' daily operations. Technical support specialists should maintain excellent communication skills to guide the client and business on solving network problems. They must also document concerns and progress promptly for reference and quality checks.

On average scale, technical support specialists bring in higher salaries than computer laboratory assistants. In fact, they earn a $18,412 higher salary per year.Using the responsibilities included on computer laboratory assistants and technical support specialists resumes, we found that both professions have similar skill requirements, such as "computer software," "powerpoint," and "mac.rdquo;

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from computer laboratory assistant resumes include skills like "computer programs," "c++," "computer problems," and "student support," whereas a technical support specialist is more likely to list skills in "customer service," "technical support," "troubleshoot," and "math. "

Technical support specialists earn the best pay in the finance industry, where they command an average salary of $60,838. Computer laboratory assistants earn the highest pay from the education industry, with an average salary of $32,659.technical support specialists typically earn similar educational levels compared to computer laboratory assistants. Specifically, they're 1.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Computer laboratory assistant vs. Student technician

A student technician is responsible for assisting the school personnel and faculty on utilizing class technologies and other learning equipment. Student technicians accept school requests for setting-up audio-visual equipment during school events, class presentations, and related technical support services. They run multiple diagnostic tests on the systems before actual usage to prevent any defects and inconsistencies during operations. A student technician must have excellent knowledge of the technology and mechanical processes to identify preventive maintenance efficiently.

Student technicians tend to earn a lower pay than computer laboratory assistants by an average of $1,329 per year.According to resumes from computer laboratory assistants and student technicians, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "computer software," "powerpoint," and "mac. "Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. A computer laboratory assistant uses "computer programs," "software applications," "student support," and "mathematics." Student technicians are more likely to have duties that require skills in "java," "javascript," "html css," and "sql. "The average resume of student technicians showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to computer laboratory assistants. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 0.8% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.2%.

Types of computer laboratory assistant

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Browse computer and mathematical jobs