A computer specialist is a professional that deals with the installation and repair of various computer components, both software, and hardware. Usually, they are also referred to as computer technicians or computer repair specialists.
The duties of a computer specialist typically include installing computer upgrades, troubleshooting equipment, and educating clients about the extent and cost of repairs. A computer specialist is also responsible for performing computer diagnostics, creating detailed documentation on computer maintenance, and recommending upgrades to clients.
The job of a computer specialist often requires a college degree in computer science, computer information systems, information technology, or other computer-related programs. Furthermore, an aspiring computer specialist must have broad technical knowledge about computer components, both for hardware and software, as well as adequate skills in customer service.
In terms of pay, the average salary of a computer specialist is around $35 an hour or roughly $71,000 per year. The highest-paying jobs are usually in the technology, education, healthcare, and retail companies.
Computer Specialist Overview
Computer Specialist Careers
There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a computer specialist. For example, did you know that they make an average of $34.52 an hour? That's $71,792 a year!
Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 10% and produce 83,100 job opportunities across the U.S.
What Does a Computer Specialist Do
There are certain skills that many computer specialists have in order to accomplish their responsibilities. By taking a look through resumes, we were able to narrow down the most common skills for a person in this position. We discovered that a lot of resumes listed customer-service skills, listening skills and speaking skills.
How To Become a Computer Specialist
If you're interested in becoming a computer specialist, one of the first things to consider is how much education you need. We've determined that 56.9% of computer specialists have a bachelor's degree. In terms of higher education levels, we found that 6.6% of computer specialists have master's degrees. Even though most computer specialists have a college degree, it's possible to become one with only a high school degree or GED.
Choosing the right major is always an important step when researching how to become a computer specialist. When we researched the most common majors for a computer specialist, we found that they most commonly earn bachelor's degree degrees or associate degree degrees. Other degrees that we often see on computer specialist resumes include high school diploma degrees or master's degree degrees.
You may find that experience in other jobs will help you become a computer specialist. In fact, many computer specialist jobs require experience in a role such as computer technician. Meanwhile, many computer specialists also have previous career experience in roles such as computer operator or technical support specialist.
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Computer Specialist Career Paths
In addition to switching up your job search, it might prove helpful to look at a career path for your specific job. Now, what's a career path you ask? Well, it's practically a map that shows how you might advance from one job title to another. Our career paths are especially detailed with salary changes. So, for example, if you started out with the role of systems administrator you might progress to a role such as information technology manager eventually. Later on in your career, you could end up with the title information technology director.
Computer Specialist Jobs You Might Like
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Average Salary for a Computer Specialist
Best Paying Cities For Computer Specialists
Recently Added Salaries
Company  | Company | Start Date | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
University of Utah Computer Professional Cctv Specialist | University of Utah | 08/20/2021 | $31,70208/20/2021 |
University of Florida End User Computing Specialist I, P.K. Yonge DRS | University of Florida | 08/19/2021 | $40,75008/19/2021 |
Robert Half Workers Comp Specialist | Robert Half | 08/05/2021 | $37,67008/05/2021 |
University of Florida Workers Comp Specialist | University of Florida | 07/30/2021 | $43,00007/30/2021 |
State of Indiana Sentence Computation Specialist | State of Indiana | 07/27/2021 | $30,08207/27/2021 |
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Computer Specialist Resumes
Designing and figuring out what to include on your resume can be tough, not to mention time-consuming. That's why we put together a guide that is designed to help you craft the perfect resume for becoming a Computer Specialist. If you're needing extra inspiration, take a look through our selection of templates that are specific to your job.
Bryan Ruiz Computer Specialist |
Johnny Pierce Computer Specialist  Fairfax, VA  (480) 555-5473  jpierce@example.com Experience Computer Specialist2011 - Present Lockheed Martin•Fairfax, VA
PC Systems Administrator2008 - 2011 General Dynamics•Fairfax, VA
Electronics Sales Associate2007 - 2008 RadioShack•New York, NY
Skills MacNew CustomersCompany PoliciesPOSDisaWindowsCFRRetail SalesGuest ServiceInformation Technology Education Bachelor's Degree In Management Information Systems2004 - 2007 University of Georgia•East Broad Street, Athens, GA |
Stephen Brown Computer Specialist  Computer Specialist2018 - Present XeroxRochester, NY
Computer System Specialist2017 - 2018 Edgewood Management GroupWashington, DC
Leasing Agent2014 - 2017 Edgewood Management GroupWashington, DC
 Bachelor's Degree In Business2011 - 2014 Strayer UniversityWashington, DC |
Contact Information  Rochester, NY (970) 555-7523 sbrown@example.comSkills Linux Credit Checks Property Amenities Computer System Financial Crimes Sales Goals Trouble Shooting Yardi Software Installation Renewal Process |
Ann Robertson Computer Specialist  Houston, TX  (410) 555-6703  arobertson@example.com Skills HardwareLinuxComputer SystemHelpdeskProblem ResolutionPersonal ComputersWindowsToshibaDNSDesktop |
Employment History Computer Specialist2018 - Present Comcast•Houston, TX
Microcomputer Technician2015 - 2018 Kforce•Austin, TX
Computer Repair Technician2012 - 2015 Staples•Chicago, IL
Education Bachelor's Degree of Computer Information Systems2009 - 2012 Ferris State University•Big Rapids, MI |
- Preformed hardware and software installs and repairs on computers.
- Certified as A+ Core Hardware and Windows/Apple repair technician.
- Promoted to First Geeksquad Double Agent (onsite repair and support of computer systems) in the company.
- Obtained training in hardware and software installation, troubleshooting and repair.
- Greet and help customers Give detailed recommendations for products based on hardware and software needs.
- Resolved and repaired computers in both hardware and software.
- Upgrade Oracle databases to 10.2.0.4 and applied the Oracle CPU patch on all Oracle database environment.
- Project: ERP & EDI Implementation for Asia Pacific Asia Pacific is a growing sales and manufacturing region for Bio-Rad.
- Engaged customers with new business ideas on how to improve their current IT infrastructure.
- Planned, initiated, and managed information technology (IT) projects.
- Provided UNIX support in a high profile 24/7 distributed computing environment comprised mainly of IBM R/S 6000 servers in various configurations.
- Contracted to IBM supporting the KodakQualex and HillenbrandHill-Rom Accounts providing level two software and hardware support remotely.
- Information Security
- Computer Issues
- CFR
- OS
- Test Results
- IP
- Java
- Hardware
- Health Information
- Network Security
- Major: Computer Information Systems
- Provided online chat technical support for the entire network infrastructure including Cable TV, Internet, and Digital Voice services.
- Acted as liaison between customer and technician to schedule a home visit to further troubleshoot the issue.
- Conducted end to end project management of large international retail client to deliver a mobile application.
- Install software and hardware to client specifications, and provide full support for the computer.
- Resolve computer hardware and software, printing, installation, word processing, email and operating systems issues.
- Performed computer upgrades of hardware and software.
- Managed and verified in Active Directory all onboarding and off boarding staffs' checklist are exhausted.
- Maintained communication with regional offices to ensure completion of installations.
- Train management and staff on new hardware and software.
- Install internet* Assist cable installers in directions to their routes
- Use big-data technologies to detect anomalies in Internet of Things networks.
- Researched and installed new systems when needed.
- Reconciled financial statements with general ledger.
- Participated in activities related to compliance with procedures and controls.
- Developed overhead cost allocation system enabling $750M budget overhead to be split across 5 business units.
- Prepared large data labor force analysis, drive-time analysis, demographic analysis with ArcGIS.
- Hardware
- Institutional Clients
- Data Analysis
- ERP
- Quantitative Analysis
- Java
- Information Technology
- DCF
- Essbase
- Trouble shoot internet and cable service for Comcast while provided customer service.
- Handled credit/debit payments over the phone.Assisted customers with any technical issues they had with their Ios and/or OS X devices
- Use internet to research and apply software trouble fixes, updates and new installs.
- Increased QA batch executions by 20% with fifty percent less resources.
- Tested new hardware for use on laptops that allowed agents to work more productively.
- Created documentation on proper troubleshooting procedures.
- Support multiple Operating Systems including but not limited to Windows 2000, Windows XP SP1, SP2 & SP3.
- Perform basic administration and maintenance of UNIX systems supporting 24x7 manufacturing lines.
- Assisted in the conversion of UNIX scripts into IPA as part of the transition to Windows workshop.
- Analyzed Abbott & competitive product portfolio performance for multiple and simultaneous IMHC pull-through initiatives to determine quantifiable results.
- Powerpoint
- R
- Information Security
- Hardware
- Setup
- Information Technology
- Cloud
- Strategic Sourcing
- Asset Management
- Project Management
- Worked with variety of user software and hardware in accordance with contract needs.
- Performed all PC hardware and software upgrades.
- Drive forklift in warehouse to put away palletized hardware equipment.
- Displayed strong knowledge of hardware and software technology * Collaborated with customers to determine computing product needs.
- Constructed portfolio reviews of clients' current assets Ran simulation models to calculate future expected returns
- Processed foreign equity, fixed income transactions and foreign exchange settlements for high net worth clients.
- Communicated effectively updates to Business partners and change management targets on a monthly basis.
- Deployed Microsoft Systems Management Server 2003 for comprehensive software and hardware inventory in a production environment.
- Perform build-up, repair and testing of Flight hardware of Trident I and Trident II ballistic Missiles.
- Map users to network share drives, and printers as needed.
- Created a standard windows image to be used system wide.
- Experience in troubleshooting hardware, software, and all windows operating systems.
- Trained in various selling techniques and strategies in order to better highlight personal computers sold by Best Buy.
- Repair and Upgraded hardware/software, troubleshooting and resolving computer issues with Windows or Mac systems.
- Diagnosed and repaired computer hardware and software for customers.
- Manage hardware inventory coordinate change requests with server owners
- Installed and replaced multi-vendor systems; which included hardware, software and network products as well as Windows operating systems.
- Created and implemented a full disaster recovery system with regular drills to ensure functionality.
- Installed and setup D2D2T hardware using virtual tape libraries to support DR.
- Used Java to create a new application, replacing an existing Oracle application.
- Clearance
- Linux
- Ethernet
- User Accounts
- Peripheral Equipment
- Troubleshoot
- CAD
- Citrix
- OS
- Active Directory
- Educate customers on different OS and various types of hardware and software's.
- Repaired/Upgraded Microsoft operating systems, including complete re-installations to finding drivers for all hardware on the systems.
- Installed and performed minor repairs to hardware, software, or peripheral equipment, following design or installation specifications.
- Keep up to date with existing models and part Computer System.
- Install RAM upgrades and along with other hardware to increase or restore functionally.
- Home theaters surround sound setup and configuration.
- Worked with latest hardware technology while gaining valuable knowledge.
- Greeted customers seeking to purchase personal computers, peripheral equipment, and/or accessories.
- Provide Hardware and Software support for Thin Clients, Laptops and Desktops.
- Served as on site system hardware repair technician, servicing an average of nine systems daily.
- Installed and configured new hardware and software applications for Wal-Mart pharmacies.
- Install new software applications or hardware on the organization's computer systems.
- Installed and configured network printers for each store and troubleshoot them if problem was reported.
Learn How To Write a Computer Specialist Resume
At Zippia, we went through countless Computer Specialist resumes and compiled some information about how to optimize them. Here are some suggestions based on what we found, divided by the individual sections of the resume itself.
View Computer Specialist Resume Examples And TemplatesTop Colleges for Computer Specialists
1. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
2. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
3. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
4. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
5. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
6. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
7. San Diego State University
San Diego, CA • Private
8. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
9. New York University
New York, NY • Private
10. Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Worcester, MA • Private
Online Courses For Computer Specialist That You May Like
Computer basics & troubleshooting skills for IT helpdesk support technicians, fixes for printers, email & slow computers...
This course is the first of a series that aims to prepare you for a role as an entry-level IT Support Specialist. In this course, you'll be introduced to the world of Information Technology, or IT. You'll learn about the different facets of Information Technology, like computer hardware, the Internet, computer software, troubleshooting, and customer service. This course covers a wide variety of topics in IT that are designed to give you an overview of what's to come in this certificate program...
Basic Hardware, Software, Privacy, Security, Backup Guide And Troubleshooting Tips To Use A Computer Running On Windows 10...
Top Skills For a Computer Specialist
The skills section on your resume can be almost as important as the experience section, so you want it to be an accurate portrayal of what you can do. Luckily, we've found all of the skills you'll need so even if you don't have these skills yet, you know what you need to work on. Out of all the resumes we looked through, 11.0% of computer specialists listed hardware on their resume, but soft skills such as customer-service skills and listening skills are important as well.
- Hardware, 11.0%
- Personal Computers, 6.7%
- Information Technology, 6.2%
- Technical Support, 5.3%
- Data Entry, 5.1%
- Other Skills, 65.7% See All Computer Specialist Skills
Best States For a Computer Specialist
Some places are better than others when it comes to starting a career as a computer specialist. The best states for people in this position are Alaska, Massachusetts, Maryland, and Connecticut. Computer specialists make the most in Alaska with an average salary of $87,300. Whereas in Massachusetts and Maryland, they would average $81,978 and $81,174, respectively. While computer specialists would only make an average of $80,777 in Connecticut, you would still make more there than in the rest of the country. We determined these as the best states based on job availability and pay. By finding the median salary, cost of living, and using the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Location Quotient, we narrowed down our list of states to these four.
1. District of Columbia
$92,684
Avg. Salary
2. Alaska
$87,300
Avg. Salary
3. Maryland
$81,174
Avg. Salary
How Do Computer Specialist Rate Their Jobs?
Computer Specialist Videos
