How To Become A System Technician: What It Is and Career Path

What is a system technician and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

A system technician installs, maintains, and troubleshoots computer systems and networks. They are skilled in hardware and software components such as servers, routers, switches, and operating systems. System technicians also secure, back up, and update systems regularly to prevent failures or data loss. They work with other IT professionals such as network administrators and software developers to ensure efficient and secure systems. Additionally, system technicians provide technical support to end-users.

ScoreSystem TechnicianUS Average

Salary

3.4

Avg. Salary $43,410

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level

5.7

Growth Rate 5%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity

3.8

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.31%

Asian 8.79%

Black or African American 8.80%

Hispanic or Latino 12.49%

Unknown 5.08%

White 64.54%

Gender

female 9.98%

male 90.02%

Age - 42

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 - 42

Stress Level

5.7

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity Level

6.7

Complexity Level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance

7.1

Work Life balance is good

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a System Technician?

Pros

High demand for skilled technicians
Opportunities for career advancement and specialization
Good pay and benefits
Ability to work independently or as part of a team
Job stability

Cons

Risk of burnout due to high workload and pressure
Exposure to hazardous materials and equipment
High level of responsibility for system uptime and security
Potential for conflicts with clients or coworkers
Lack of recognition or appreciation for the work done

Key steps to become a system technician

Explore system technician education requirements

Most common system technician degrees

Associate

40.0 %

Bachelor's

36.4 %

High School Diploma

12.5 %

Start to develop specific system technician skills

Skills	Percentages
Customer Service	10.17%
Hand Tools	6.90%
Preventative Maintenance	5.92%
Technical Support	5.01%
Control Systems	4.33%

Complete relevant system technician training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New system technicians 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 system technician based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real system technician resumes.

Gain additional system technician certifications

System technician 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 system technician certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for system technicians include Master Certified Electronics Technician (CETma) and EPA Amusement Operators Safety Certification (EPA).

More About Certifications

Research system technician duties and responsibilities

Install and manage approve software distributions using Microsoft SCCM.
Manage, support and maintain modern EMC SAN storage platform.
Manage 185 virtualize desktops running in a cluster VMware ESX environment.
Provide on-site construction support and lead system testing, debugging, and startup.

Prepare your system technician resume

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

Choose From 10+ Customizable System Technician Resume templates

Build a professional System Technician 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 System Technician resume.