What does a hardware technician do?
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 technician responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real hardware technician resumes:
- Manage resource allocation and work scheduling for UNIX restatement administrators across all the shifts.
- Manage all customer network equipment including routers, switches, WLC's, AP's, and firewalls.
- Manage trouble ticket queues in order to keep tickets within SLA's and to expedite high level issues.
- Work to troubleshoot OS and hardware issue on many computers and peripherals.
- Test and troubleshoot: reset bios and perform power-on-self-test on servers and PCs, perform power on tests on various electronics.
- Update LAN spreadsheets with appropriate computer information.
- Build high end computers for use in Linux clusters.
- Administer and support LAN equipment, users and applications.
- Configure Janus readers and RF control boards for optimum performance.
- Configure network routers, wireless network access points and VPN tunnels.
- Connect the Ethernet cable from the digital phone to the personal computer.
- Design and implement a documentation system to track all LAN and audio wiring.
- Fix all VPN issues with staff and members whom are working remotely and/or out of state.
- Build specialize interconnecting cables (fiber optic, serial, Cat5E, Cat6, RF etc . )
- Install and configure PCs, laptops, and printers and conduct training for users on their new equipment.
Hardware technician skills and personality traits
We calculated that 6% of Hardware Technicians are proficient in Customer Service, Technical Support, and Network Printers. They’re also known for soft skills such as Customer-service skills, Listening skills, and Problem-solving skills.
We break down the percentage of Hardware Technicians that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Customer Service, 6%
Demonstrated leadership by coordinating production, customer service and internal support activities.
- Technical Support, 5%
Coordinated with technical support for unusual technical issues not resolved by hardware replacement.
- Network Printers, 5%
Configured and customized network printers.
- Desktop Support, 5%
Provided computer, telecommunication and desktop support for ministry-wide resources consisting of approximately 2,000 people.
- Test Equipment, 4%
Conducted over 200 equipment authentications contributing to a complete and accurate inventory of electronics equipment and test equipment.
- Switches, 4%
Maintain government and/or vendor-manufactured telecommunications equipment, fiber optic modems, multiplexer, fiber optic/Ethernet cables, switches & telephone systems.
Common skills that a hardware technician uses to do their job include "customer service," "technical support," and "network printers." You can find details on the most important hardware technician responsibilities below.
Customer-service skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a hardware technician to have is customer-service skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "computer support specialists must be patient and sympathetic." Hardware technicians often use customer-service skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "build, upgrade, and configure new pcs for customers. "
Listening skills. Many hardware technician duties rely on 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.," so a hardware technician will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways hardware technician responsibilities rely on listening skills: "performed computer hardware and software installations; represented deutsche bank in a professional and business-like manner and communicated effectively. "
Problem-solving skills. This is an important skill for hardware technicians to perform their duties. For an example of how hardware technician responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "support workers must identify both simple and complex computer problems, analyze them, and solve them." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a hardware technician: "solved hardware problems and answered questions over the phone and email. ".
Speaking skills. hardware technician responsibilities often require "speaking skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "support workers must describe the solutions to computer problems in a way that a nontechnical person can understand." This resume example shows what hardware technicians do with speaking skills on a typical day: "edited technical training presentations created in powerpoint by non-native english-speaking engineers based in cairo. "
Writing skills. Another crucial skill for a hardware technician to carry out their responsibilities is "writing skills." A big part of what hardware technicians relies on this skill, since "strong writing skills are useful for preparing instructions and email responses for employees and customers, as well as for real-time web chat interactions." How this skill relates to hardware technician duties can be seen in an example from a hardware technician resume snippet: "possess outstanding customer service skills including interpersonal, communication, reading and writing. "
The three companies that hire the most hardware technicians are:
- UnityPoint Health6 hardware technicians jobs
- Intecon6 hardware technicians jobs
- TEKsystems5 hardware technicians jobs
Choose from 10+ customizable hardware technician resume templates
Build a professional hardware technician resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your hardware technician resume.
Compare different hardware technicians
Hardware technician vs. Information technology/support technician
An information technology (IT) support technician is an individual who is responsible for providing support and troubleshoots software and hardware problems faced by customers. As for larger organizations that have their own IT department, technicians must work together internally with their IT staff members. IT support technicians are involved in inspecting and resolving minor local area network and wireless network issues, which include TCP/IP, DHCP, and VPN. They are also required to obtain an associate's degree in computer science or related field.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a hardware technician are more likely to require skills like "technical support," "desktop support," "test equipment," and "rf." On the other hand, a job as an information technology/support technician requires skills like "troubleshoot," "desk support," "phone calls," and "remote desktop." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Information technology/support technicians tend to make the most money working in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $53,210. In contrast, hardware technicians make the biggest average salary, $48,180, in the technology industry.On average, information technology/support technicians reach similar levels of education than hardware technicians. Information technology/support technicians are 2.6% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Hardware 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.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real hardware technician resumes. While hardware technician responsibilities can utilize skills like "network printers," "test equipment," "switches," and "rf," technician support tiers use skills like "lan wan," "phone calls," "cisco ios," and "tier ii."
Technician support tiers earn a higher average salary than hardware technicians. But technician support tiers earn the highest pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $62,098. Additionally, hardware technicians earn the highest salaries in the technology with average pay of $48,180 annually.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Technician support tiers tend to reach similar levels of education than hardware technicians. In fact, they're 0.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for hardware technicians in the next 3-5 years?
Ming Chow
Associate Teaching Professor, Tufts University
References:
1. cybersecurity
2. cybersecurity
Hardware 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.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a hardware technician is likely to be skilled in "customer service," "network printers," "desktop support," and "test equipment," while a typical student information technician is skilled in "gpa," "data entry," "java," and "sharepoint."
Student information technicians typically earn higher educational levels compared to hardware technicians. Specifically, they're 5.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.4% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Hardware technician vs. Information technology technician
An information technology technician, also known as an IT technician, is responsible for ensuring that all computer systems in a company or organization are running smoothly and efficiently. Their duties primarily revolve around installing and maintaining systems, including software and hardware, and resolving any issues. They also provide technical support such as troubleshooting, navigation, and even system upgrades. Furthermore, an information technology technician can choose whether to work for a company or independently.
Types of hardware technician
Updated January 8, 2025
