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What does a computer support engineer do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
Quoted expert
Ming Chow
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Computer support engineer responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real computer support engineer resumes:

  • 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.
  • Support all business applications and VPN connectivity internet and modem applications
  • Manage inventory of forensic hardware and software utilities of forensic laboratory as well as maintaining forensic workstations and laboratory LAN.
  • Lead technical operations for an innovative workforce virtualization movement, including initial design and improvement of technical systems and processes.

Computer support engineer skills and personality traits

We calculated that 22% of Computer Support Engineers are proficient in CAD, PCB, and Linux. They’re also known for soft skills such as Customer-service skills, Listening skills, and Speaking skills.

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

  • CAD, 22%

    Trained engineers and CAD librarians on proper CAD tool usage and documented company processes used to develop hardware designs.

  • PCB, 9%

    Worked with PCB and stencil vendors to resolve technical issues throughout the board fabrication process.

  • Linux, 9%

    Accomplished many networking projects and utilized many command line level processing for LINUX / UNIX operating based systems.

  • Customer Service, 6%

    Developed and oversaw customer surveys used to proactively improve call center performance and customer service.

  • System Administration, 5%

    Provide system administration and network management, security and hands on technical support to computers, printers and telecommunications.

  • Desk Support, 5%

    Provided help desk support to all administrative offices in the Boise School District and provided hardware and software solutions to problems.

Most computer support engineers use their skills in "cad," "pcb," and "linux" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential computer support engineer responsibilities here:

Customer-service skills. The most essential soft skill for a computer support engineer to carry out their responsibilities is customer-service skills. This skill is important for the role because "computer support specialists must be patient and sympathetic." Additionally, a computer support engineer resume shows how their duties depend on customer-service skills: "use customer supplied cad data to order tooling for applying solder paste to pwb's during the manufacturing process. "

Listening skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling computer support engineer duties is listening skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "support workers must be able to understand the problems that their customers are describing and know when to ask questions to clarify the situation." According to a computer support engineer resume, here's how computer support engineers can utilize listening skills in their job responsibilities: "communicated technical issues and actions taken to the application end-user community. "

Speaking skills. This is an important skill for computer support engineers to perform their duties. For an example of how computer support engineer responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "support workers must describe the solutions to computer problems in a way that a nontechnical person can understand." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a computer support engineer: "developed and presented formal classroom training to customer service/support personnel. ".

Writing skills. computer support engineer responsibilities often require "writing skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "strong writing skills are useful for preparing instructions and email responses for employees and customers, as well as for real-time web chat interactions." This resume example shows what computer support engineers do with writing skills on a typical day: "conducted uat by writing sql queries / scripts and also using quality centre on resolving reported bugs/technical issues. "

Problem-solving skills. A commonly-found skill in computer support engineer job descriptions, "problem-solving skills" is essential to what computer support engineers do. Computer support engineer responsibilities rely on this skill because "support workers must identify both simple and complex computer problems, analyze them, and solve them." You can also see how computer support engineer duties rely on problem-solving skills in this resume example: "resolved cad problems such as netlist corruptions and back-annotation failures. "

See the full list of computer support engineer skills

The three companies that hire the most computer support engineers are:

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Compare different computer support engineers

Computer support engineer vs. Support

A support employee is responsible for assisting the business operations and responding to customers' inquiries and concerns regarding its goods and services. Support logs all customers' interaction and escalates potential complaints to the appropriate department. They also help with implementing strategic procedures to improve operations and reach maximum productivity. A support employee must have excellent communication and customer service skills, ensuring clients' satisfaction with the services and maintain good feedback to boost the company's brand, attract more clients, and increase revenues.

If we compare the average computer support engineer annual salary with that of a support, we find that supports typically earn a $43,304 lower salary than computer support engineers make annually.Even though computer support engineers and supports are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require linux, customer service, and lan in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a computer support engineer are more likely to require skills like "tcp ip," "cad," "pcb," and "system administration." On the other hand, a job as a support requires skills like "cash management," "customer satisfaction," "hr," and "inventory control." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Supports really shine in the professional industry with an average salary of $50,563. Comparatively, computer support engineers tend to make the most money in the technology industry with an average salary of $84,089.On average, supports reach similar levels of education than computer support engineers. Supports are 2.7% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.5% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Computer support engineer vs. Support analyst

The role of support analysts is to resolve problems with hardware, computer programs, and peripherals. They may focus on a particular aspect of the information technology (IT) department or give technical support to end-users. They mainly detect issues with IT equipment and software and devise solutions to resolve these issues. Also, they are responsible for answering queries from users, preparing service records, and handling escalations. Support analysts also support the company's IT operations and best practices by creating and distributing relevant IT documents.

On average, support analysts earn a $3,542 lower salary than computer support engineers a year.A few skills overlap for computer support engineers and support analysts. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "tcp ip," "linux," and "customer service. "

Each career also uses different skills, according to real computer support engineer resumes. While computer support engineer responsibilities can utilize skills like "cad," "pcb," "system administration," and "desk support," support analysts use skills like "troubleshoot," "application support," "patients," and "issue resolution."

On average, support analysts earn a lower salary than computer support engineers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, support analysts earn the most pay in the finance industry with an average salary of $93,871. Whereas computer support engineers have higher pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $84,089.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Support analysts tend to reach similar levels of education than computer support engineers. In fact, they're 0.5% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.5% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for computer support engineers 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 support engineer vs. Support agent

As the name entails, the job of a customer support agent is to provide excellent support and assistance to both new and existing customers. You will provide customers with information on products or services, oversee and resolve customer complaints, cancellations, errors, and other issues, assist in maintaining customer satisfaction and retention. Additionally, a customer support agent is responsible for encouraging customers to purchase a product or service and educating them about the product. You are also expected to accurately process emails and fax communications with customers.

On average scale, support agents bring in lower salaries than computer support engineers. In fact, they earn a $43,486 lower salary per year.By looking over several computer support engineers and support agents resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "customer service," "technical support," and "computer system." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, computer support engineers are more likely to have skills like "tcp ip," "cad," "pcb," and "linux." But a support agent is more likely to have skills like "reservations," "data entry," "troubleshoot," and "crm."

Support agents make a very good living in the technology industry with an average annual salary of $41,689. On the other hand, computer support engineers are paid the highest salary in the technology industry, with average annual pay of $84,089.Most support agents achieve a similar degree level compared to computer support engineers. For example, they're 4.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Computer support engineer vs. Computer analyst

A computer analyst is responsible for generating technical solutions to improve operational efficiency and processes. Computer analysts create models for system applications and perform upgrades on software and hardware networks to boost optimization. They also develop strategic methods to enhance the performance of existing systems and identify inconsistencies for immediate resolution. A computer analyst must have excellent communication and technical skills, especially in managing the security of computer data and setting the configuration and accessibility of networks for authorized users.

Computer analysts typically earn lower pay than computer support engineers. On average, computer analysts earn a $3,679 lower salary per year.While their salaries may vary, computer support engineers and computer analysts both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "linux," "customer service," and "desk support. "

Even though a few skill sets overlap between computer support engineers and computer analysts, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a computer support engineer might have more use for skills like "tcp ip," "cad," "pcb," and "system administration." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of computer analysts require skills like "troubleshoot," "c++," "data entry," and "os. "

In general, computer analysts earn the most working in the technology industry, with an average salary of $81,179. The highest-paying industry for a computer support engineer is the technology industry.computer analysts reach similar levels of education compared to computer support engineers, in general. The difference is that they're 0.5% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 1.0% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of computer support engineer

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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