How long does it take to become a computer technician?

It takes about one to four years to become a computer technician after high school. Depending on what postsecondary education or certifications you earn, it can take more or less time. Most computer technicians have a bachelor's or associate's degree in computer science or a related field like computer information systems and information technology.

Is a computer technician a good career?

Yes, being a computer technician is a good career to start with if you like working with computers. However, you may consider gaining experience and honing your skills to advance to a higher position since computer technicians don't get paid highly.

What qualifications do you need to be a computer technician?

The qualifications you need to be a computer technician are, at minimum, a high school diploma and certifications to prove your skills. Most computer technicians have a bachelor's or associate's degree in computer science or a related field like computer information systems and information technology.

What is a computer technician and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted Experts

Kate Marek Ph.D.,

Oriehi Destiny Anyaiwe

A computer technician provides technical support for computer hardware and software. They diagnose, troubleshoot, and repair computer systems, as well as install and configure software and hardware. Computer technicians may work in IT departments, repair shops, or as freelance consultants. They must have knowledge of operating systems, networking, and security protocols to ensure proper function of technology. Their communication skills allow them to work with clients or end-users to explain technical issues and solutions.

What general advice would you give to a Computer Technician?

Kate Marek Ph.D.

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 TechnicianUS Average

Salary

3.1

Avg. Salary $39,767

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level

6.7

Growth Rate 10%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity

6.4

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.41%

Asian 11.13%

Black or African American 11.21%

Hispanic or Latino 16.11%

Unknown 5.37%

White 55.76%

Gender

female 12.98%

male 87.02%

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

What are the pros and cons of being a Computer Technician?

Pros

High demand for computer technicians
Potential for career advancement
Opportunity to work with a diverse range of clients and businesses
Good pay and benefits
Flexibility in work schedule

Cons

Risk of burnout due to long hours and demanding workloads
Exposure to harmful chemicals and radiation from computer equipment
Working on weekends or holidays may be required
Lack of job security in some cases due to outsourcing or automation
Can be physically demanding, requiring long hours of standing or sitting in front of a computer

Key steps to become a computer technician

Explore computer technician education requirements

Most common computer technician degrees

Bachelor's

39.8 %

Associate

37.8 %

High School Diploma

10.4 %

Start to develop specific computer technician skills

Skills	Percentages
Customer Service	12.60%
Desk Support	8.46%
Network Printers	5.57%
Computer System	5.53%
Technical Support	5.52%

Complete relevant computer technician training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New computer technicians 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 technician based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real computer technician resumes.

Gain additional computer technician certifications

Computer technician 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 technician certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for computer technicians include Network 5 Certification and Certified Network Computer Technician (CNCT).

More About Certifications

Research computer technician duties and responsibilities

Recreate and manage company website, maintain regular updates, manage DNS servers, administrate e-mail and outlook exchange server.
Manage and maintain desktop security updates company-wide with no downtime of systems due to OS vulnerability exploitation.
Manage backups, replications and disaster recovery plans of company mission critical servers and database files to ensure redundancy.
Add and configure networked printers for TCP/IP printing and other peripheral equipment including video conferencing equipment.

Prepare your computer technician resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your computer technician 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 technician 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 Technician Resume templates

Build a professional Computer Technician 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 Technician resume.

Apply for computer technician jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a computer technician job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How do computer technicians rate their job?

5/5

Based On 1 Ratings

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

Computer Technician reviews

A zippia user wrote a review on Nov 2023

Pros

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

Cons

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

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

A zippia user wrote a review on Apr 2020

Pros

I enjoy the challenges and learning new things . Technology is always evolving.

Cons

Customer is unwilling to provide you with necessary information in order to assist them.

What is a computer technician and how to become one

What general advice would you give to a Computer Technician?

What are the pros and cons of being a Computer Technician?

Computer Technician career paths

Key steps to become a computer technician

Explore computer technician education requirements

Most common computer technician degrees

Start to develop specific computer technician skills

Complete relevant computer technician training and internships

Gain additional computer technician certifications

Research computer technician duties and responsibilities

Prepare your computer technician resume

Choose From 10+ Customizable Computer Technician Resume templates

Apply for computer technician jobs

How Did You Land Your First Computer Technician Job

Average computer technician salary

How do computer technicians rate their job?

Computer Technician reviews

Computer Technician FAQs

How long does it take to become a computer technician?

Is a computer technician a good career?

What qualifications do you need to be a computer technician?

Search for computer technician jobs

Computer Technician jobs by state