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What does a computer system technician do?

Updated January 8, 2025
8 min read
Quoted expert
Ming Chow

Computer system technicians provide support for a company's operating systems. They monitor the system's overall performance and catch errors to resolve as soon as possible. These technicians use software that ensures a network's functional performance, maintains hardware that can affect the system's performance, and relays computer reports to clients in layman's terms. Their jobs include training employees on using the company's hardware and software resources, thus the importance of quickly familiarizing with the system.

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Computer system technician responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real computer system technician resumes:

  • Manage LAN at test center sites locate around the country.
  • Manage collaborative CSV documentation efforts using Microsoft SharePoint.
  • Use of Linux operating system.
  • Install hardware, configure protocols utilizing TCP/IP.
  • Serve as Linux subject matter expert for onboard robot computers.
  • Maintain and repair POS equipment, computers, and printers.
  • Perform configuration changes to DNS and DHCP scopes and ranges as necessary.
  • Troubleshoot POS systems with-in the store, and communication issues and servers.
  • Maintain working knowledge of various OS, mobile devices, library software, and network hardware.
  • Install, configure, monitor and troubleshot PC's and relate hardware on all OS platforms.
  • Provide first-line investigation and troubleshooting of UNIX system resource problems and system failure recovery, as needed.
  • Develop processes and scripts to update UNIX systems with new software, feature packages, and customize software packages.
  • Support SQL applications and databases including installations, configurations, upgrades, importing/exporting data, and executing SQL queries.
  • Certify to troubleshoot, instruct and operate the applications and communications systems of FBCB2, MCS, ONESAF and CPOF.
  • Maintain a backup of all LAN and host-base files, security, and rights according to departmental policies and procedures.

Computer system technician skills and personality traits

We calculated that 15% of Computer System Technicians are proficient in Technical Support, Electronic Equipment, and Trouble Tickets. They’re also known for soft skills such as Customer-service skills, Listening skills, and Speaking skills.

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

  • Technical Support, 15%

    Provide software & hardware technical support for administrative, engineering and electronics departments.

  • Electronic Equipment, 9%

    Troubleshooted and repaired failures in electric and electronic equipment and machinery.

  • Trouble Tickets, 8%

    Experienced in using Active Directory, submitting and following up on trouble tickets, and troubleshooting various hardware and software issues.

  • Troubleshoot, 7%

    Diagnosed and troubleshoot desktop/laptops which involved upgrading memory, backing/replacing faulty systems throughout the military.

  • DOD, 5%

    Provided support to DoD secure project areas.

  • Customer Service, 5%

    Exhibited good time management skills, independent decision making capability; focus on customer service.

Most computer system technicians use their skills in "technical support," "electronic equipment," and "trouble tickets" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential computer system technician responsibilities here:

Customer-service skills. The most essential soft skill for a computer system technician 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 system technician resume shows how their duties depend on customer-service skills: "job duties: built custom pcs specified by customer from new parts. "

Listening skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling computer system technician 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 system technician resume, here's how computer system technicians can utilize listening skills in their job responsibilities: "communicated computer repair concepts to users using layman's terms. "

Speaking skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of computer system technicians is speaking skills. This skill is critical to many everyday computer system technician duties, as "support workers must describe the solutions to computer problems in a way that a nontechnical person can understand." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "addressed customer service related issue such as billing and contact inquires. "

Writing skills. For certain computer system technician responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "writing skills." The day-to-day duties of a computer system technician rely on this skill, as "strong writing skills are useful for preparing instructions and email responses for employees and customers, as well as for real-time web chat interactions." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what computer system technicians do: "possess outstanding customer service skills including interpersonal, communication, reading and writing. "

Problem-solving skills. Another common skill required for computer system technician responsibilities is "problem-solving skills." This skill comes up in the duties of computer system technicians all the time, as "support workers must identify both simple and complex computer problems, analyze them, and solve them." An excerpt from a real computer system technician resume shows how this skill is central to what a computer system technician does: "resolved computer hardware and software, printing, installation, word processing, email, and operating system issues. "

All computer system technician skills

The three companies that hire the most computer system technicians are:

Compare different computer system technicians

Computer system technician vs. Technician support tier

A technician support tier focuses on providing technical support to clients or employees within a company. Typically working in a team setting, a technician support tier addresses technical problems and troubleshoots to identify the root of the issues and perform necessary corrective measures or repairs. Their responsibilities also revolve around responding to inquiries, answering calls and correspondence, conducting regular maintenance of systems and networks, maintaining records of all transactions, and supporting software and networks. Furthermore, it is essential to coordinate with all team members while adhering to the company's policies and regulations.

The annual salary of technician support tiers is $13,899 lower than the average salary of computer system technicians.While their salaries may differ, the common ground between computer system technicians and technician support tiers are a few of the skills required in each roleacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities. In both careers, employee duties involve skills like technical support, trouble tickets, and customer service.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between computer system technicians and technician support tier. For instance, computer system technician responsibilities require skills such as "electronic equipment," "troubleshoot," "dod," and "switches." Whereas a technician support tier is skilled in "lan wan," "phone calls," "cisco ios," and "tier ii." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Technician support tiers earn the highest salaries when working in the technology industry, with an average yearly salary of $62,098. On the other hand, computer system technicians are paid more in the technology industry with an average salary of $72,333.The education levels that technician support tiers earn slightly differ from computer system technicians. In particular, technician support tiers are 2.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a computer system technician. Additionally, they're 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Computer system technician vs. Technical system analyst

Technical Systems Analysts are employees who are adept in information technology (IT). They work in the IT department, where they oversee the different networks and systems that exist in the company. They manage the technical systems and ensure that these systems are working properly at all times. They generate reports related to the networks and systems. They then study and analyze these reports to identify existing problems or anticipate challenges that may come their way. These reports help them craft solutions to problems and invest in infrastructure that will address challenges.

Technical system analyst positions earn higher pay than computer system technician roles. They earn a $13,487 higher salary than computer system technicians per year.A few skills overlap for computer system technicians and technical system analysts. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "technical support," "troubleshoot," and "linux. "

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that computer system technician responsibilities requires skills like "electronic equipment," "trouble tickets," "dod," and "customer service." But a technical system analyst might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "project management," "san," "data analysis," and "crm."

On average, technical system analysts earn a higher salary than computer system technicians. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, technical system analysts earn the most pay in the finance industry with an average salary of $94,207. Whereas computer system technicians have higher pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $72,333.In general, technical system analysts achieve similar levels of education than computer system technicians. They're 3.9% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for computer system technicians 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 system technician vs. Student information technician

In learning institutions, a student information technician is typically in charge of handling information systems, ensuring data security and accuracy. Their responsibilities include installing and upgrading systems, providing technical support in different areas, managing software and hardware, and devising strategies to keep student information safe and secure. They may also assist employees in troubleshooting, repairs, and coordinating information as needed. Furthermore, as a student information technician, it is essential to monitor the progress of all systems, conduct maintenance checks, and perform corrective measures quickly and efficiently.

On average scale, student information technicians bring in lower salaries than computer system technicians. In fact, they earn a $35,461 lower salary per year.computer system technicians and student information technicians both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "technical support," "troubleshoot," and "linux," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from computer system technician resumes include skills like "electronic equipment," "trouble tickets," "dod," and "customer service," whereas a student information technician is more likely to list skills in "gpa," "data entry," "java," and "sharepoint. "

Student information technicians typically earn similar educational levels compared to computer system technicians. Specifically, they're 2.2% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Computer system technician vs. Hardware technician

A hardware technician is typically in charge of providing technical support to clients or employees, ensuring efficiency and client satisfaction. In a company setting, a hardware technician is responsible for performing initial assessments on computer hardware, troubleshooting, diagnosing problems, and providing step by step solutions to solve the issues. They may also perform corrective repairs on problems and conduct regular maintenance checks to ensure the quality of equipment. Furthermore, as a hardware technician, it is essential to maintain an active communication line with staff for a smooth and efficient workflow.

Hardware technicians average a lower salary than the annual salary of computer system technicians. The difference is about $20,937 per year.While both computer system technicians and hardware technicians complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like technical support, electronic equipment, and trouble tickets, the two careers vary in some skills.

Even though a few skill sets overlap between computer system technicians and hardware technicians, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a computer system technician might have more use for skills like "troubleshoot," "dod," "tcp ip," and "system administration." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of hardware technicians require skills like "network printers," "test equipment," "rf," and "workstations. "

The technology industry tends to pay the highest salaries for hardware technicians, with average annual pay of $48,180. Comparatively, the highest computer system technician annual salary comes from the technology industry.The average resume of hardware technicians showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to computer system technicians. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 3.5% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.1%.

Types of computer system technician

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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