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Job outlook for hardware and software technicians in the United States
Hardware and software technician job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected hardware and software technician job growth rate is 10% from 2018-2028.
About 83,100 new jobs for hardware and software technicians are projected over the next decade.
Hardware and software technician salaries have increased 9% for hardware and software technicians in the last 5 years.
There are over 92,567 hardware and software technicians currently employed in the United States.
There are 71,355 active hardware and software technician job openings in the US.
The average hardware and software technician salary is $46,989.
Are hardware and software technician jobs in demand?
Hardware and software technician job and salary trends over time
Hardware and software technician jobs over time
Hardware and software technician job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 92,567 | 0.03% |
| 2020 | 157,680 | 0.05% |
| 2019 | 77,374 | 0.02% |
| 2018 | 65,752 | 0.02% |
| 2017 | 64,007 | 0.02% |
Average hardware and software technician salary over time
Hardware and software technician salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $46,989 | $22.59 | +3.4% |
| 2025 | $45,440 | $21.85 | +2.3% |
| 2024 | $44,412 | $21.35 | +1.5% |
| 2023 | $43,741 | $21.03 | +1.7% |
| 2022 | $43,027 | $20.69 | +1.6% |
Hardware and software technician jobs by state
Most common states for hardware and software technicians
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 388 | 56% |
| 2 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 240 | 28% |
| 3 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 685 | 24% |
| 4 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 1,313 | 23% |
| 5 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 471 | 23% |
| 6 | Alaska | 739,795 | 171 | 23% |
| 7 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 150 | 20% |
| 8 | Ohio | 11,658,609 | 2,190 | 19% |
| 9 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 1,186 | 19% |
| 10 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,492 | 18% |
| 11 | Nevada | 2,998,039 | 537 | 18% |
| 12 | West Virginia | 1,815,857 | 323 | 18% |
| 13 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 941 | 17% |
| 14 | South Carolina | 5,024,369 | 851 | 17% |
| 15 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 527 | 17% |
| 16 | Tennessee | 6,715,984 | 1,085 | 16% |
| 17 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 969 | 16% |
| 18 | Hawaii | 1,427,538 | 234 | 16% |
| 19 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 204 | 15% |
| 20 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 162 | 15% |
Most common cities for hardware and software technicians
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fort Collins | 1 | 1% | $39,315 |
| 2 | Houston | 1 | 0% | $45,157 |
Hardware And Software Technician job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of hardware and software technician experts
Hampton University
University of Colorado at Colorado Springs
University of New Haven
Texas A&M University San Antonio
University of West Florida
University of Washington
Arizona State University
American University
University of Nebraska at Omaha
Grand Valley State University
Tiffin University
California State University - Long Beach
Grantham University
Utah Valley University
Dominican University
Governors State University
New York Institute of Technology
Carleton College
Tufts University
University of North Texas
What general advice would you give to a Hardware And Software Technician?
Dr. Yohannes Bekele: By entering the computer engineering profession now, individuals can take advantage of the high skilled-power demand in the field, diverse career paths broadly classified under hardware and software sub-areas, lucrative salaries as compared to other fields, continuous learning opportunities, and the potential for entrepreneurship in changing ideas into startup businesses easily. It is a field that offers long-term growth prospects and the chance to contribute to the development of cutting-edge technologies.
What will help Hardware And Software Technicians increase their earning potential?
Dr. Yohannes Bekele: In being a computer engineer, people like all the advantages in the field including attractive compensation packages and lucrative salaries, the intellectual satisfaction of solving complex problems, opportunities for continuous learning and innovation as technology rapidly evolves, ability to work on cutting-edge technologies and contribute to their development and the diverse career paths across hardware, software, embedded systems, and various industries. The main struggle most people have in becoming a computer engineer is its steep learning curve especially when it comes to hardware design and related areas. It takes years to become proficient in the field as compared to other fields such as software programming where a relatively shorter amount of time is enough to join the workforce. In addition, the ever evolving environment with constantly changing technologies, standards, and the need to keep learning new things makes it difficult to achieve the epitome in the field.
Dr. Darshika Perera Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorUniversity of Colorado at Colorado Springs
Computer Engineering
What general advice would you give to a Hardware And Software Technician?
Dr. Darshika Perera Ph.D.: One of my main advice for Computer Engineering students is that they should get hands-on experience as much as possible through various courses comprising labs and projects. In order to excel in this field, it is imperative for the students not only to learn the fundamentals but also to get hands-on experience. Also, as professors and educators, we are here to help students to get through their coursework and degree program successfully. Therefore, I would encourage students to have an open dialogue with their professors/instructors, and not to hesitate on approaching them with any concerns/problems encountered during the courses or degree program. My advice is not to get deterred by the years that you have to spend or some of the difficult courses that you have to take, instead consider this as a journey that you are taking to enhance your life and career.
Adrian Rusu
Professor, Alice E. and Michael J. Fisher Teaching Chair in Computer ScienceUniversity of New Haven
Computer Science
What general advice would you give to a Hardware And Software Technician?
Adrian Rusu: By getting involved in internships, co-ops, or other potential real-world experiences in their field of interest, so they can obtain real-world experience beyond classroom during their studies. Generally, employers value graduates who already have relevant real-world experience and who therefore can easier adapt to job requirements.
Robert Vinaja Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Computer Information SystemsTexas A&M University San Antonio
Computer Information Systems Department
What soft skills should all Hardware And Software Technicians possess?
Robert Vinaja Ph.D.: -Ability to work as part of a team.
-Attention to detail.
-Problem-solving and analytical skills.
What skills will help Hardware And Software Technicians earn the most?
Robert Vinaja Ph.D.: My personal view is that instead of following the skills that command higher salaries, one should focus on a field that you like and feel at ease with. Instead of following the money, one should follow your heart, and money will eventually follow.
Dr. Thomas Gilbar Ph.D.
Chair and LecturerUniversity of West Florida
Electrical and Computer Engineering
What hard/technical skills are most important for Hardware And Software Technicians?
Dr. Thomas Gilbar Ph.D.: There are quite a few hard/technical skills that are important for Computer Engineers. We've found a lot of managers are looking for comfort in a variety of programming languages, including C++, C#, Java, Python, etc. Also, try to have a background in a variety of operating systems (certainly windows and mac, but also having experience on Apple iOS, Android, and even Linux will give you a leg up on the competition). Having at least some experience in data/cyber security is also important these days. On the hardware side, programming and applying microcontrollers and VHDL/Verilog programming are extremely important. VLSI design is also a nice addition to skill sets, though in most cases, not a deal-breaker. Circuit and electronic design are also very important skills to supplement your microcontroller skills.
What skills stand out on Hardware And Software Technician resumes?
Dr. Thomas Gilbar Ph.D.: Resumes can be tricky things. You want to introduce yourself without overloading the reviewer. Note that this doesn't mean just listing technical skills. I heard from one of our alumni that grammar and misspellings will land a resume into the discard pile almost immediately. I can't emphasize how important it is to proofread resumes and cover letters before submitting them. Keep it neat and easy to follow. It is their first (and possibly only) impression of you, so make it good.
Aside from that, anything that emphasizes your leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills is always a plus. Any examples of seeing a project from beginning to end (including budgeting, planning, and design) are good. From a technical standpoint, being up to date on hot programming languages is pretty much required. Knowledge and comfort with a variety of operating systems are also important. Since we are talking about Computer Engineers and not Computer Scientists, make sure to emphasize hardware/software integration skills. Any experience you have with microcontroller design and applications is a huge plus, and don't leave out knowledge of PLD/FPGA design, programming, and testing.
Rania Hussein Ph.D.
Associate Teaching ProfessorUniversity of Washington
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
What hard/technical skills are most important for Hardware And Software Technicians?
Rania Hussein Ph.D.: C language and hardware description language, such as Verilog, microcontrollers and FPGA programming, computer organization, and low-level programming in assembly.
What skills will help Hardware And Software Technicians earn the most?
Rania Hussein Ph.D.: Continuous professional development and working on side projects to learn new technical and marketable skills.
Robert Rucker
LecturerArizona State University
School of Computing, Informatics, and Decision Systems Engineering
What skills stand out on Hardware And Software Technician resumes?
Robert Rucker: Being articulate/communicative is a real positive - being able to write up a coherent report is a big plus.
What soft skills should all Hardware And Software Technicians possess?
Robert Rucker: Being able to learn a new technology very quickly is critical since that is what my students encounter.
Anthony Baron
Teaching Assistant, Associate Software EngineerAmerican University
What skills will help Hardware And Software Technicians earn the most?
Anthony Baron: By earning, do you mean financially, career-wise, or most growth? Career-wise, it really depends on what the final goal is. For web developers, learning the programming languages and frameworks for web development would be the way to go. In general, any experience with programming and knowing a little about a lot will be helpful. Having top-level theory knowledge (some but not in-depth) is also very helpful. It will help you better understand what is happening under the hood and determine which methods are more efficient than others. Financially, it really depends on what skills are most in-demand today. Also, getting a Masters opens doors to more job opportunities, and in some companies, allows for a pay increase. However, this is not the case everywhere.
Deepak Khazanchi Ph.D.
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Community Engagement & Internationalization Officer, Professor of Information Systems & Quantitative Analysis, Director, Executive Master’s of Science in Information Technology (EMIT) Program, Executive Director, Center for Management of IT (CMIT), Fulbright Grantee (Specialist 2014; Core 2020-21)University of Nebraska at Omaha
College of Information Science & Technology
What's a good job out of college for Hardware And Software Technicians?
Deepak Khazanchi Ph.D.: I think the "best" and "interesting" jobs in my view will be those that leverage emerging technical skills such as AI/ML, data analytics, cybersecurity and medical informatics, with the nontechnical capabilities mentioned above.
What technical skills for a Hardware And Software Technician stand out to employers?
Chirag Parikh Ph.D.: If you ask me, I consider valuable experience over good paycheck. Once you have gained that experience the paycheck will follow. As soon as you are out of college, the knowledge gained is very fresh and raring to go. If put into the right place can enhance your technical skills and you can do wonders.
As a Computer Engineering professor, I would say the job opportunities are tremendous for students out of college as they can venture into hardware field (technical support, hardware engineer, test engineer and much more) as well as software field (software engineer, software developer, software tester and much more). The possibilities are endless.
With COVID and employees working remotely there is still ample opportunity to enhance your technical and interpersonal skills as I believe remote working might stay for a while till things get back to normal.
What type of skills will young Hardware And Software Technicians need?
George Miller: Many organizations realize graduates cannot learn everything in college about their major but want the graduate to have a solid foundation on their field of study. The organization wants to mold the graduate to their company environment with how they do things related to the field of study. Most companies want college graduates to have good communication skills (both oral and written), critical thinking skills and be able to work well in teams. These skills have been a staple for graduates since I can remember. This is why a college graduate takes many general education courses related to these skills and many of their major courses emphasize these skills.
Going back to the previous answer I believe graduates in all fields of study will need a better knowledge of technology and easier adaptability to changing technology. Again, an IS degree is already preparing students for this.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Hardware And Software Technician job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Lesley Farmer: Many employees have trouble pivoting to online work so in the short term, tech support and instructional design jobs are in high demand. Data privacy and security are also hot topics and need ed tech expertise. Tech maintenance, including cloud services and networks, continue to be needed, rather like car maintenance. Thinking forward, software development is another area of need, particularly with more online-based education. If grads have data analytics expertise, they can find jobs on data management and learning analytics.
Disabilities continue to be an issue, particularly in terms of equity, so jobs dealing with assistive technology and other ed tech supports are possible. Finally, grads should broaden their concept of educational settings; informal education is more important than ever: in business/HR, libraries and museums, recreational and youth-serving clubs, mass media, government and non-profit agencies. All of these entities are involved in training, outreach, PR, and public awareness/education. Be creative and persistent.
What Hardware And Software Technician skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Lesley Farmer: Internships are probably the best option, even if unpaid. Some institutions provide career placement services, and grads could contact their instructors about possible options. Companies, professional associations, and non-profits also advertise internships.
What general advice would you give to a Hardware And Software Technician?
Dr. Lesley Farmer: Get to know the site before interviewing, and remember that even interviews are an opportunity to practice communication skills-and to see if there's a good match between you and the site. Once hired, learn about the organizational culture and develop trustful relationships. Make one memorable contribution the first month, but focus on becoming an expert before changing others. In addition, join a local and national professional association to keep current and network.
What experience really stands out on Hardware And Software Technician resumes?
Lisa Sietstra: The job seeker's experiences will stand out when they've described previous accomplishments and shown a potential employer the value they have added in the past. Students/recent graduates (or really any job seeker at all) need to include quantifiable data in their statements; clearly painting a picture of achieved results. Connect the dots for the recruiter or hiring manager and really show that you have the potential to join the team and immediately contribute in positive ways.
Add details about academic projects if you do not yet have work experience in your field. Include a section of highlights from your coursework that applies to what the company is asking for in the job description.
Curtis Welborn
ProfessorUtah Valley University
Computer Science Department
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Hardware And Software Technicians?
Curtis Welborn: Not that I can see. The high tech sector and jobs for CS students remains very strong, and as the economy recovers, these areas will continue to grow as they have over the past 40 years.
What type of skills will young Hardware And Software Technicians need?
Curtis Welborn: First, they need a strong fundamental understanding of Computer Science. People think they have to learn language X or environment Y or this thing or that thing because it is hot. Well, the thing to know about Computer Science jobs is there is always some new thing, always some new language better than the last, always something that is hot. Learning the hottest new thing might get you a job today, but it will not keep you a job tomorrow.
Having strong fundamental skills in Computer Science will equip you to learn ANY new thing. A good fundamental education in CS includes knowledge of programming languages, data structures, database, computer architecture, internet programming and networking, incremental design and development, and some advanced topic, which can vary based on a person's interest. Beyond this, everyone should have a basic understanding of math and the ability to write clearly because you always have to write something.
What experience really stands out on Hardware And Software Technician resumes?
Curtis Welborn: That can really depend upon the company. Some companies want people with a strong background in machine learning right now. But I've met people who shy away from hiring people with too much machine learning on their resume even when the company wants someone to do machine learning because too many of these people only want to, or only can, do machine learning. They don't have a strong fundamental understanding of Computer Science (see No. 2). Our students who complete the Compiler course get jobs, not because companies are building a compiler but because companies know that someone who can build a compiler can most likely do anything they would want done. So people should not focus on finding that thing that makes their resume look good today. Just be great at everything you do. Take hard classes, and excel at them. Learn EVERYTHING you can, and companies will want you.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Hardware And Software Technician job market given the pandemic?
Kate Marek Ph.D.: Probably an acceleration of existing trends - remote working, skill-set based job openings (rather than degree-specific), along with an ongoing need for necessary skills such as writing, problem-solving, collaboration, and project management.
What Hardware And Software Technician skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Kate Marek Ph.D.: If possible, find a paid internship in your area of interest, which will help expand your professional network and build your skillset. Use this time to keep scanning job ads to identify skill sets in demand; look for online mini-courses to make those skill sets.
What general advice would you give to a Hardware And Software Technician?
Kate Marek Ph.D.: Choose an organization in tune with one's values. Look for a job in growth areas, such as data asset management, data analysis, etc.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Hardware And Software Technician job market given the pandemic?
Stephen Hyzny: Security, as more people need online services, the protection behind that technology will be needed.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Hardware And Software Technicians in the next 3-5 years?
Stephen Hyzny: IoT having small devices connected to networks that control everything in our lives will become more integrated into our lives.
Will there be an increase or decrease in demand for Hardware And Software Technicians in the next 5 years?
Stephen Hyzny: As everything involves technology, more educated people will need it in the future. As our cars, houses, and lives connect, people will be required to make it all work.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Hardware And Software Technicians in the next 3-5 years?
Babak Beheshti Ph.D.: -The enormous growth of IoT and wearables. The number of connected devices is expected to be more than 26 billion in 2020. That includes things like household appliances, controllable lighting, and much more. This trend is likely to continue as it is expected to see the industry grow to 661 billion dollars by 2021.
-We will be witnessing a more widespread commercial deployment of 5G in 2020. With the implementation of the Standalone 5G devices based on the 3gpp release 16, we should be seeing the more robust mobile broadband deployment of 5G, wider availability of 5G smartphones, and a push towards an all 5G Network in select urban areas around the world.
-Significant growth in AI-based technologies, from face recognition and voice recognition to business intelligence and market predictions. As machines and deep learning algorithms get integrated into many applications, many industries will undergo substantial changes. AI systems will continue to interact with our phones; cars will interpret and analyze their surroundings and intelligently drive themselves. Online vendors will monitor our browsing habits, and Google decides what kind of search results to give us, based on who it thinks we are.
What type of skills will young Hardware And Software Technicians need?
Joshua Davis Ph.D.: Studying mathematics is good practice for rigorous thinking and problem solving, which are valued across the workforce. For science and engineering applications, it is often also helpful to have R, Python, Matlab, or another popular programming language. But technical abilities get the graduate-only so far. They need interpersonal communication skills so that they can understand the needs of stakeholders and cooperate with colleagues. For this reason, many faculty at my school emphasize writing, speaking, listening, and teamwork skills.
How do you envision technology impacting Hardware And Software Technicians in the next 5 years?
Joshua Davis Ph.D.: Electronic communication has enabled new collaborative projects in academic math, sometimes involving tens of mathematicians, spontaneously organizing around new problems. In industrial math, computers' ever-increasing power is getting more and more math turned into practical technology. Many of today's biggest buzzwords --- machine learning, self-driving cars, etc. --- are based on sophisticated math and statistics. I expect that math will only grow in importance as these technologies become more prevalent in society.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Hardware And Software Technicians to find work opportunities?
Joshua Davis Ph.D.: Math is arguably the highest of high-tech, in the sense that it leads to other high-tech fields. For example, differential geometry and complex analysis were developed in the early 1800s; they became central to the language of physics in the early 1900s; those physics led to consumer products such as GPS and electronics in the present day. So it's unsurprising that companies in technology centers with research and development divisions often employ mathematicians. But I also have friends in the financial industry, the video game industry, the federal government, etc.
Will there be an increase or decrease in demand for Hardware And Software Technicians in the next 5 years?
Ming Chow: On the one hand, there are many opportunities in tech currently. On the other hand, new college hires will be competing with crowds of people with real experience who were laid off during COVID. Five years is too far ahead to predict.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Hardware And Software Technician job market given the pandemic?
Ming Chow: -Need to hit the ground running as many employees and companies don't have the time, energy, and training infrastructure.
-The soft skills, including communications, how to deal with change and the basics are becoming more critical-things like using a calendar, following-up, etc.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Hardware And Software Technicians in the next 3-5 years?
Ming Chow: Infrastructure, including cloud and networking, Security, Machine Learning, and Data Science.
References:
1. cybersecurity
2. cybersecurity
How do you envision technology impacting Hardware And Software Technicians in the next 5 years?
Mark Albert Ph.D.: AI is impacting everything we do, and the Biomedical Engineering program is integrating both human-based decision making and moral, well-validated, artificial intelligence into research and development. We also engage students in the MS in AI program and Data Engineering, both of which have Biomedical Engineering concentrations as part of the course sequence.
What experience really stands out on Hardware And Software Technician resumes?
Mark Albert Ph.D.: Projects. For resumes, it needs to be beyond a standard course final project. This can include a capstone team effort, a consistent theme among course projects, or engaging with faculty as a part of multi-year research pursuits. Also, we encourage our students to engage in the local community and seek internships to validate further their ability to work as part of a team.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Hardware And Software Technicians?
Mark Albert Ph.D.: They are now better at working remotely than ever before! It sure did accelerate the transition. Interestingly, our students are now more engaged beyond our academic borders than before, given remote collaboration capabilities.