Become A Computer Technician
Where do you want to work?
Working As A Computer Technician
- Interacting With Computers
- Getting Information
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
$58,920
Average Salary
What Does A Computer Technician Do
How To Become A Computer Technician
Because of the wide range of skills used in different computer support jobs, there are many paths into the occupation. A bachelor’s degree is required for some computer support specialist positions, but an associate’s degree or postsecondary classes may be enough for others.
EducationEducation requirements for computer support specialists vary. Computer user support specialist jobs require some computer knowledge, but not necessarily a postsecondary degree. Applicants who have taken some computer-related classes are often qualified. For computer network support specialists, many employers accept applicants with an associate’s degree, although some prefer applicants to have a bachelor’s degree.
Large software companies that provide support to business users who buy their products or services often require a bachelor’s degree. Positions that are more technical are likely to require a degree in a field such as computer science, engineering, or information science, but for others, the applicant’s field of study is less important.
To keep up with changes in technology, many computer support specialists continue their education throughout their careers.
CertificationCertification programs are generally offered by vendors or from vendor-neutral certification providers. Certification validates the knowledge of and best practices required by computer support specialists. Companies may require their computer support specialists to hold certifications in the products the companies use.
AdvancementMany computer support specialists advance to other information technology positions, such as network and computer systems administrators and software developers. Some become managers in the computer support services department. Some organizations provide paths for support specialists to move into other parts of the organization, such as sales. For more information, see the profiles on network and computer systems administrators and software developers.
Important QualitiesCustomer-service skills. Computer support specialists must be patient and sympathetic. They must often help people who are frustrated with the software or hardware they are trying to use.
Listening skills. Support workers must be able to understand the problems that their customers are describing and know when to ask questions to clarify the situation.
Problem-solving skills. Support workers must identify both simple and complex computer problems, analyze them, and solve them.
Speaking skills. Support workers must describe the solutions to computer problems in a way that a nontechnical person can understand.
Writing skills. Strong writing skills are useful for preparing instructions and email responses for employees and customers, as well as real-time web chat interactions.
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Computer Technician jobs
Computer Technician Career Paths
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Computer System Technician 3.9 years
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Computer Technician Lead 3.3 years
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Computer Technician 3.0 years
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Information Technology Technician 2.6 years
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PC Support Technician 2.5 years
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Helpdesk Computer Technician 2.3 years
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Technician 6.3%
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Network Technician 5.6%
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Sales Associate 5.5%
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Help Desk Analyst 5.3%
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Internship 4.2%
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Assistant Manager 3.7%
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Field Technician 3.6%
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Cashier 3.5%
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Computer Operator 3.4%
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Help Desk Specialist 3.4%
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Network Technician 6.4%
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Technician 5.2%
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Help Desk Analyst 4.4%
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Systems Engineer 3.6%
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Field Technician 3.5%
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Network Engineer 3.4%
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Help Desk Specialist 3.3%
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Sales Associate 2.9%
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Average Length of Employment
Top Careers Before Computer Technician
Top Careers After Computer Technician
Computer Technician Demographics
Gender
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Male
83.8% -
Female
14.4% -
Unknown
1.8%
Ethnicity
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White
75.3% -
Hispanic or Latino
12.9% -
Asian
8.7% -
Unknown
2.4% -
Black or African American
0.8%
Languages Spoken
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Spanish
54.5% -
French
7.9% -
Arabic
4.5% -
German
4.4% -
Russian
3.6% -
Mandarin
3.0% -
Chinese
2.8% -
Portuguese
2.4% -
Japanese
2.2% -
Cantonese
2.2% -
Hindi
2.2% -
Vietnamese
2.0% -
Carrier
1.5% -
Italian
1.4% -
Urdu
1.1% -
Korean
1.0% -
Polish
0.8% -
Turkish
0.8% -
Armenian
0.8% -
Tagalog
0.8%
Computer Technician
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Computer Technician Education
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University of Phoenix
26.0% -
Strayer University
6.9% -
University of Maryland - University College
5.7% -
Kaplan University
5.5% -
Northern Virginia Community College
4.9% -
Western Governors University
4.7% -
ECPI University
4.6% -
American InterContinental University
4.5% -
University of Houston
4.0% -
Colorado Technical University
3.6% -
The Academy
3.3% -
More Tech Institute
3.3% -
Community College of the Air Force
3.2% -
Southern New Hampshire University
3.2% -
Capella University
3.0% -
Houston Community College
2.9% -
George Mason University
2.7% -
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
2.7% -
University of Central Florida
2.6% -
Pennsylvania State University
2.6% -
Computer Science 17.4%
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Information Technology 13.4%
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Business 10.8%
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Computer Networking 9.4%
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Computer Engineering 3.0%
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Information Systems 3.0%
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Criminal Justice 2.5%
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Management 1.7%
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Communication 1.6%
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General Studies 1.5%
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Computer Programming 1.5%
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Education 1.5%
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Psychology 1.4%
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Bachelors
34.4% -
Other
26.6% -
Associate
23.1% -
Masters
7.7% -
Certificate
5.3% -
Diploma
2.3% -
Doctorate
0.5% -
License
0.1%
Schools
Majors
Degrees
Computer Technician
Unfortunately we don’t have enough data for this section.
Real Computer Technician Salaries
Job Title
|
Company
|
Location
|
Start Date
|
Salary
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Execution Desktop IT | Citadel LLC | Chicago, IL | Sep 30, 2012 | $190,000 |
| Compute DEV Tech Engineer | Nvidia Corporation | Bedford, MA | Oct 31, 2011 | $125,000 |
| Computer DEV Tech Engineer | Nvidia Corporation | Santa Clara, CA | Sep 01, 2015 | $114,802 - $158,357 |
| Project PC (Project Controls) Specialist | Arcadis U.S., Inc. | Irvine, CA | Oct 01, 2013 | $105,019 |
| Desktop Technologies Engineer | Deluxe Corporation | Shoreview, MN | Jul 05, 2010 | $100,000 |
| Manager, Anti-Money Laundering Comp.-Technology | American Express Travel Related Services Company | Phoenix, AZ | Jul 28, 2014 | $100,000 |
| Computer Hardware Engrs | Microsoft Corporation | Mountain View, CA | Mar 15, 2011 | $93,892 |
| Business Consultant/Computer Technology & Data Man | Consultant Solutions, Inc. | Erlanger, KY | Aug 01, 2014 | $79,306 |
| Research Scientist II, Computational Technologies | Genomatica, Inc. | San Diego, CA | Sep 10, 2011 | $79,248 - $95,000 |
| Manager In Computer Technology Accounting | Peace ECO Green Research & Educational Institute C | Miami Beach, FL | Jan 15, 2010 | $75,654 - $78,263 |
| Application Deployment Technical Marketing Special | The Mathworks, Inc. | Natick, MA | Mar 18, 2013 | $75,000 |
| Comp. Tech. Support Consutl 4-Senior ETL Dev.(Ucp 10) | University of Connecticut | Storrs, CT | Jan 23, 2015 | $69,262 - $117,373 |
| Computer Technical Specialitst | Brillio, LLC | Tampa, FL | Sep 02, 2015 | $63,086 |
| Research Computing Technologist | Case Western Reserve University | Cleveland, OH | Mar 19, 2016 | $60,273 |
| Computer Hardware Engiener | Reliable Software Resources Inc. | Farmington Hills, MI | Mar 24, 2009 | $60,100 |
| Computer Technician | Universal Processing LLC | New York, NY | Oct 01, 2013 | $59,751 |
| Computer Technician | Universal Processing LLC | New York, NY | Sep 28, 2013 | $58,728 |
| End User Services/Client Computing Technician | Bridgestone Americas, Inc. | Normal, IL | Aug 23, 2010 | $58,200 |
| Computer Technician | Bat Blue Corporation | Clifton, NJ | Jan 22, 2010 | $56,307 |
| Business Consultant/Computer Technology & Data Man | Consultant Solutions, Inc. | Erlanger, KY | Aug 18, 2014 | $56,245 - $79,306 |
| Computer Information Technologist II | Central Technology Services, Inc. | Jefferson City, MO | May 02, 2016 | $55,557 - $60,000 |
| Computer Technician | University of Utah | Salt Lake City, UT | Feb 01, 2015 | $43,848 |
| Computer Technician | Ingenics Corp | Greenville, SC | May 23, 2016 | $43,410 |
| Computer Technician | Hill Line, Inc. | Oklahoma City, OK | Jul 24, 2015 | $41,662 |
| Computer Technician | Hill Line, Inc. | Oklahoma City, OK | Oct 16, 2015 | $41,662 |
| Solution Deployment Tech | Turnberry Solutions Inc. | Malvern, PA | Oct 01, 2012 | $41,600 |
| Computer Technician | Sooner Technology LLC | Weatherford, OK | Apr 01, 2015 | $40,000 |
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Top Skills for A Computer Technician
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Top Computer Technician Skills
- Computer Hardware
- Personal Computers
- Desk Support
- Repaired/installed computer hardware and software on all IBM products under temporary contract.
- Performed maintenance of personal computers and peripheral equipment, identifying problems and providing appropriate solutions.
- Provided help desk support to company clients utilizing Remedy.
- Perform hardware and software repairs on desktop and laptop computers; diagnose hardware and software problems; load and customize software.
- Diagnose and repair PC's and network printers.
Top Computer Technician Employers
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