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What is an information technology assistant and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted experts
Ranganathan Chandrasekaran,
Alexey Kolmogorov Ph.D.

Information Technology (IT) Assistants are responsible for installing, configuring, and maintaining a company's computer network systems and other technologies. They prepare reports, track inventory, and review new technologies. Also, they negotiate contracts with vendors and devise contingency plans to cater for network failure. IT assistants work in technology companies, educational institutions, healthcare facilities, corporations, and more.

The required education for this position varies by employer. However, the standard requirement is a bachelor's degree in information systems, computer science, or a related field. Some employers may require technical training coupled with experience. Certifications offered by certain IT vendors, such as Microsoft, are beneficial. IT assistants make use of Microsoft Office, computer network hardware and software, office, and communications equipment.

Skills peculiar to IT assistants are communication, attention to detail, computer, project management, and troubleshooting skills. These professionals earn about $52,636 yearly -- their salary ranges between $24,000 and $118,000.

What general advice would you give to an information technology assistant?

Ranganathan ChandrasekaranRanganathan Chandrasekaran LinkedIn profile

Professor and Director of Graduate Studies, University of Illinois

As we roll into another month of the COVID-19 pandemic, graduating students are facing one of the worst moments of their lives. They face several uncertainties; due to financial challenges, uncertainty about completing their degrees on time, adjusting to online and hybrid modes of learning, and worst of all, facing the worst job market. As a result, I see the stress and anxiety levels among the graduating students to be significantly higher, at levels I have not experienced in my academic career.

Several businesses have been hit hard by the pandemic, and they have rolled back their offers made to students for internships and jobs. Businesses have also resorted to downsizing and layoffs, and we are likely to see that continue, at least in the near term. However, two sectors that are showing promises of a quick turnaround are technology and healthcare.

It might take many months for the economy to get back on track, but the demand for information systems graduates is likely to grow, as a large number of businesses have turned to increased use of technology in this pandemic period. As more companies go digital, we need more professionals to manage the remote-work, technological infrastructure and meet the other demands of the business. Students pursuing education in information systems, computer science, and healthcare are going to be in greater demand.

On the positive side, the uncertainties induced by the pandemic have also helped students to prepare themselves better for a tougher job market. I found many students rise up and use the lockdown period to have a serious introspection and invest their time and effort in upgrading their knowledge and skills. The internship drought and rescinding of job/internship offers brought their dreams crashing down, but I found several students to quickly get over their disappointments, and engage in improving their skillsets utilizing the pandemic lockdown as an opportunity. I am aware of many students, especially in the information systems disciple, who spent time doing online courses, completing certification programs, and take up DIY projects on data analysis, developing analytical and forecasting models, and visualization of various aspects of the pandemic. The pandemic has resulted in massive amounts of data, released by several organizations worldwide, that have provided a stimulant for students to indulge in DIY-projects. I had several students approach me over summer to do some projects, and we have done some interesting projects using public datasets related to COVID-19.
ScoreInformation Technology AssistantUS Average
Salary
3.1

Avg. Salary $39,574

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
6.0

Growth rate -8%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
3.0
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.73%

Asian 3.80%

Black or African American 9.09%

Hispanic or Latino 15.92%

Unknown 3.87%

White 66.60%

Gender

female 32.60%

male 67.40%

Age - 52
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 - 52
Stress level
6.0

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level
4.4

Complexity level is basic

7 - challenging

Work life balance
7.6

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

Information technology assistant career paths

Key steps to become an information technology assistant

  1. Explore information technology assistant education requirements

    Most common information technology assistant degrees

    Bachelor's

    57.2 %

    Associate

    23.9 %

    High School Diploma

    8.3 %
  2. Start to develop specific information technology assistant skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Computer System14.52%
    Customer Service11.58%
    Data Entry7.92%
    Troubleshoot7.08%
    Technical Support5.50%
  3. Complete relevant information technology assistant training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New information technology assistants 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 an information technology assistant based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real information technology assistant resumes.
  4. Gain additional information technology assistant certifications

    Information technology assistant 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 information technology assistant certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

    The most common certifications for information technology assistants include Certified Information Technology Professional (CITP) and Security 5 Certification.

    More About Certifications
  5. Research information technology assistant duties and responsibilities

    • Manage the configuration and performance management of all PC systems and telecommunications.
    • Open a new branch, setting up workstations with VOIP and all necessities.
    • Used extensive knowledge of HTML and CSS to provide quality content for the company website.
    • Provide phone and email support to customers regarding cash drawers, receipt printers, and POS hardware.
  6. Prepare your information technology assistant resume

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

    Choose from 10+ customizable information technology assistant resume templates

    Build a professional information technology assistant 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 information technology assistant resume.
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  7. Apply for information technology assistant jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for an information technology assistant job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

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

How did you land your first information technology assistant job

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Average information technology assistant salary

The average information technology assistant salary in the United States is $39,574 per year or $19 per hour. Information technology assistant salaries range between $28,000 and $55,000 per year.

Average information technology assistant salary
$39,574 Yearly
$19.03 hourly

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Information technology assistant reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2020
Pros

everything except phones : Meeting,greeting, customer service, interviewing, on boarding, recruiting, presenting, etc.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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