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What is a computer operations specialist and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
Quoted expert
Mario Bkassiny Ph.D.
There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a computer operations specialist. For example, did you know that they make an average of $21.01 an hour? That's $43,692 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 10% and produce 83,100 job opportunities across the U.S.

What general advice would you give to a computer operations specialist?

Mario Bkassiny Ph.D.Mario Bkassiny Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Associate Professor, SUNY Oswego

Young graduates should continuously seek every learning opportunity to enhance their professional skills. With the fast growth of engineering technology, it is important for engineers to remain up to date with the most recent innovations in their fields. The learning process does not stop at graduation, but instead, it extends beyond college to the workplace where engineers can gain expert knowledge in their fields.
ScoreComputer Operations SpecialistUS Average
Salary
3.4

Avg. Salary $43,692

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
6.7

Growth rate 10%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
6.5
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.41%

Asian 10.48%

Black or African American 12.00%

Hispanic or Latino 16.25%

Unknown 5.38%

White 55.49%

Gender

female 28.15%

male 71.85%

Age - 41
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 41
Stress level
6.7

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
6.6

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
7.4

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

Computer operations specialist career paths

Key steps to become a computer operations specialist

  1. Explore computer operations specialist education requirements

    Most common computer operations specialist degrees

    Bachelor's

    44.4 %

    Associate

    36.8 %

    High School Diploma

    6.9 %
  2. Start to develop specific computer operations specialist skills

    SkillsPercentages
    IBM Mainframe8.26%
    Computer Operations7.94%
    Unix7.44%
    Technical Support7.31%
    Computer System5.97%
  3. Complete relevant computer operations specialist training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New computer operations specialists learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a computer operations specialist based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real computer operations specialist resumes.
  4. Research computer operations specialist duties and responsibilities

    • Manage the facilities and the environmental systems, including electrical power, security, and HVAC and fire detection/suppression.
    • Manage consistent operations of mainframe and peripheral info systems through detail scheduling of equipment, personnel and priorities.
    • Perform UNIX and PC systems installations.
    • Used HVAC computer base digital control systems to monitor and control operations.
  5. Prepare your computer operations specialist resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your computer operations specialist resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a computer operations specialist resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable computer operations specialist resume templates

    Build a professional computer operations specialist resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your computer operations specialist resume.
    Computer Operations Specialist Resume
    Computer Operations Specialist Resume
    Computer Operations Specialist Resume
    Computer Operations Specialist Resume
    Computer Operations Specialist Resume
    Computer Operations Specialist Resume
    Computer Operations Specialist Resume
    Computer Operations Specialist Resume
    Computer Operations Specialist Resume
  6. Apply for computer operations specialist jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a computer operations specialist job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first computer operations specialist job

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Average computer operations specialist salary

The average computer operations specialist salary in the United States is $43,692 per year or $21 per hour. Computer operations specialist salaries range between $28,000 and $66,000 per year.

Average computer operations specialist salary
$43,692 Yearly
$21.01 hourly

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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.

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