How To Become A Console Operator: What It Is and Career Path

What is a console operator and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Console operators work in research laboratories or manufacturing departments, and their duties are to control and monitor computer activities and other equipment. It is quite a demanding role that deals with identifying system faults, identifying and correcting errors as they appear, and writing a detailed report of every activity in the organization.

You coordinate building engineers and carry out emergency plans in case of an emergency. You also monitor CCTV cameras and provide a well-detailed incident plan during an investigation.

A console operator must show empathy, display excellent listening skills, and multitask where and when necessary. There are console operators who either have a bachelor's degree, a master's degree, a college degree, or a high school diploma or GED. Hence, any of these will earn you a position as a console operator. You can earn $17.29 per hour and $35,959 per year.

ScoreConsole OperatorUS Average

Salary

3.4

Avg. Salary $43,202

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

5.0

Growth rate 4%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

5.0

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.57%

Asian 12.32%

Black or African American 8.59%

Hispanic or Latino 9.87%

Unknown 4.90%

White 63.75%

Gender

female 33.90%

male 66.10%

Age - 43

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 - 43

Stress level

5.0

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

6.2

Complexity level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work life balance

6.2

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a console operator

Explore console operator education requirements

Most common console operator degrees

Bachelor's

36.8 %

Associate

27.7 %

High School Diploma

22.5 %

Start to develop specific console operator skills

Skills	Percentages
Emergency Situations	12.23%
CCTV	7.16%
Telephone Calls	5.79%
Troubleshoot	5.68%
Computer System	5.31%

Complete relevant console operator training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New console operators 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 console operator based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real console operator resumes.

Research console operator duties and responsibilities

Interpret and respond to system messages through use of JES2, MVS, SDSF and automate commands.
Work with CICS, DB2, and IMS relate issues on a nightly basis.
Ensure CICS and IMS online applications are available per the published SLA agreements.
Initiate bounce SNA VTAM CICS IMS online network regions system state manager operations.

Prepare your console operator resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your console operator 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 console operator resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable console operator resume templates

Build a professional console operator 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 console operator resume.