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What is a computer support engineer and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
Quoted Expert
Kate Marek Ph.D.
There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a computer support engineer. For example, did you know that they make an average of $38.24 an hour? That's $79,531 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 Support Engineer?

Kate Marek Ph.D.Kate Marek Ph.D. LinkedIn Profile

Director and Professor, Dominican University

Choose an organization in tune with one's values. Look for a job in growth areas, such as data asset management, data analysis, etc.
ScoreComputer Support EngineerUS Average
Salary
6.2

Avg. Salary $79,531

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level
6.7

Growth Rate 10%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity
6.0
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.41%

Asian 14.73%

Black or African American 10.52%

Hispanic or Latino 14.70%

Unknown 5.27%

White 54.36%

Gender

female 13.86%

male 86.14%

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
6.5

Complexity Level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance
7.4

Work Life balance is good

6.4 - fair

Computer Support Engineer career paths

Key steps to become a computer support engineer

  1. Explore computer support engineer education requirements

    Most common computer support engineer degrees

    Bachelor's

    56.5 %

    Associate

    27.8 %

    Master's

    8.3 %
  2. Start to develop specific computer support engineer skills

    SkillsPercentages
    CAD22.17%
    PCB9.29%
    Linux8.95%
    Customer Service5.78%
    System Administration5.44%
  3. Complete relevant computer support engineer training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New computer support engineers 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 support engineer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real computer support engineer resumes.
  4. Research computer support engineer duties and responsibilities

    • Accomplish many networking projects and utilize many command line level processing for LINUX / UNIX operating base systems.
    • Manage inventory of forensic hardware and software utilities of forensic laboratory as well as maintaining forensic workstations and laboratory LAN.
    • Upgrade many UNIX / LINUX version operating systems independently.
    • Configure hardware/software for VPN networking.
  5. Prepare your computer support engineer resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your computer support engineer 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 support engineer 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 Support Engineer Resume templates

    Build a professional Computer Support Engineer 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 Support Engineer resume.
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    Computer Support Engineer Resume
  6. Apply for computer support engineer jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a computer support engineer 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 Support Engineer Job

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Average computer support engineer salary

The average Computer Support Engineer salary in the United States is $79,531 per year or $38 per hour. Computer support engineer salaries range between $59,000 and $106,000 per year.

Average Computer Support Engineer Salary
$79,531 Yearly
$38.24 hourly

What Am I Worth?

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How do computer support engineers rate their job?

-/5

5 Stars

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1 Star

Computer Support Engineer reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Nov 2023
Cons

I have aids now due to the painfulness of sitting down all day

Pros

You get to help a lot of people in many different ways as well as learning new things about technology


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jan 2022
Cons

There was nothing to like. Everyone was polite an hard workers

Pros

Working with The people


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2020
Pros

I decided to go to technical support because I've been fascinated by technology all my life and I love working with the people as well. I want to use my technical know-how to solve directly the problems that customers have. I want to be the person who makes life easier and more enjoyable for people who have had a problem. This is what I like most as a technical Support.

Cons

I don't like sitting around being inactive. So I'll keep my self always busy


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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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