How long does it take to become a Computer Operator?

It takes 2 years of professional experience to become a computer operator. That is the time it takes to learn specific computer operator skills, but does not account for time spent in formal education. If you include the normal education requirements to complete a college degree, then it takes 5 to 7 years years to become a computer operator.

How To Become A Computer Operator: What It Is and Career Path

What is a computer operator and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Betty Snyder Holberton, Jean Jennings Bartik, Marlyn Wescoff Meltzer, Francis Bilas Spence, Ruth Lichterman Teitelbaum, Kathlyn McNulty Mauchly Antonelliâ€¦

Did you know that the first-ever electronic computers built were operated and programmed by these 6 brilliant women? Back in the 1940s, they were helping to calculate ballistic trajectories for men who went to war. The calculations, done manually, were aimed at helping soldiers find correct firing angles, based on the distance of their targets and other factors such as weather conditions.

Consequently, two engineers named John Mauchly and J.Presper Eckhart designed the ENIAC, an abbreviation for Electronic Numerical Integrator And Computer. A digital computer with which these six women performed faster calculations. It was a challenging task intellectually and physically as programming meant configuring wires across a 50-by-30 foot room.

These days, with the advent of internet search engines, computer operators are playing just as important a role. Monitoring mainframe systems and computer networks have become essential, as they store and manage the data that runs our daily internet activities. Working hours for computer operators are generally 9 to 5, spending most of their time in the office, and can sometimes involve an overnight shift when working in data centers. This role earns an average of $19 per hour, requiring a high school diploma and some technical experience dealing with computer systems.

ScoreComputer OperatorUS Average

Salary

3.3

Avg. Salary $42,722

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level

5.0

Growth Rate 10%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity

5.0

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.57%

Asian 12.32%

Black or African American 8.59%

Hispanic or Latino 9.87%

Unknown 4.90%

White 63.75%

Gender

female 34.02%

male 65.98%

Age - 43

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 - 43

Stress Level

5.0

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity Level

6.9

Complexity Level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance

6.2

Work Life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a computer operator

Explore computer operator education requirements

Most common computer operator degrees

Bachelor's

38.3 %

Associate

37.5 %

High School Diploma

11.2 %

Start to develop specific computer operator skills

Skills	Percentages
CAD	17.73%
Customer Service	10.04%
Computer System	8.60%
IBM Mainframe	6.19%
Laser Printers	3.60%

Complete relevant computer operator training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New computer operators 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 operator based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real computer operator resumes.

Gain additional computer operator certifications

Computer operator certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific computer operator certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for computer operators include Certified Network Computer Technician (CNCT) and Computer Service Technician (CST).

More About Certifications

Research computer operator duties and responsibilities

Manage and control administration on DoD local, and wide area networks.
Manage peripheral operations of BARR systems (PC base RJE workstations), storage devices, and Litton laser printers.
Manage certificate revocation list, update expired certificates, ensuring DMS availability.
Manage multi-person team providing operational and investigative support to USAF and DoD counterparts.

Prepare your computer operator resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your computer operator 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 operator 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 Operator Resume templates

Build a professional Computer Operator 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 Operator resume.