Computer Technician: Career and Salary Facts
Research what it takes to become a computer technician within the growing field of computer services. Learn about salary, education needed, and training to find out if this is the career for you.
What Is a Computer Technician?
Computer technicians install, maintain and repair computer hardware and software components. Much of the time, computer technicians work for a company setting up computers and maintaining the intranet and/or internet. They will also install the software needed by the employees of that company. These experts will troubleshoot user problems and analyze the fix. Technicians will be in charge of user security, maintenance, upgrading, and service of the computers and servers. They will also be versed at replacing hardware or running the latest updates for the computers or the programs.
The following chart provides an overview of what you need to know about entering this field.
<table border="1"><tr><td> <b>Degree Required</b> </td><td> Certificate or associate's degree; bachelor's required for some positions</td></tr>
<tr><td> <b>Education Field of Study</b> </td><td> Computer hardware, operating and networking systems, computer administration</td></tr>
<tr><td> <b>Key Responsibilities</b> </td><td> Install and maintain computers; upgrade hardware and software</td></tr>
<tr><td> <b>Certification</b> </td><td> Voluntary</td></tr>
<tr><td> <b>Job Growth (2020-2030)</b> </td><td> 9%* (<i>all computer support specialists</i>)</td></tr>
<tr><td> <b>Average Salary (2021)</b> </td><td> $45,139** (<i>PC maintenance technicians</i>)</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, **Salary.com</i>
</p><h3 id="section---WhatEducationDoINeedForACareerAsAComputerTechnician">What Education Do I Need for a Career as a Computer Technician?</h3><p>Completion of a diploma or certificate program designed specifically for computer technician training is likely sufficient to get you started on your career. Computer technician diplomas and certificates are offered by community colleges or through the extension or continuing education programs at universities. You could expect to complete courses in computer hardware, operating systems, networking, computer administration and information systems. Computer technician certificate programs can typically be completed in 9-12 months.
</p><p>Some community colleges allow you to apply course credits from a computer technician certificate program towards an associate degree in a computer-related field. Earning an associate degree in a field such as computer software technology could improve your earning potential.
</p><h3 id="section---DoINeedToGetCertified">Do I Need to Get Certified?</h3><p>In a field where technology evolves rapidly, obtaining professional certification could show employers that you possess up-to-date knowledge and skills which meet industry-wide standards. Certification exams test your knowledge of computer hardware, operating systems, peripheral hardware components and networking protocols, as well as your ability to perform installation, troubleshooting and maintenance functions, such as formatting and partitioning hard drives. Some community colleges offer training programs that prepare you for certification exams.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatJobDutiesMightIHave">What Job Duties Might I Have?</h3><p>As a computer technician, you'll likely be responsible for maintaining and repairing computers. You could also expect to install, configure and upgrade hardware and software components. Some employers might require you to provide technical support to customers online or over the phone. In more advanced computer technician positions, you could be responsible for setting up computer networks and ensuring network security.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatSalaryCouldIEarn">What Salary Could I Earn?</h3><p>According to data published by <i>Salary.com</i>, computer technicians earned an average annual salary of $45,139 as of December 2021. <i>Salary.com</i> reported that computer technicians in the top-paid ten percent of the salary range earned more than $56,253 in 2021, whereas those in the bottom-paid ten percent earned less than $36,693. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that during the 2020-2030 decade, jobs for all computer support specialists are expected to increase by 9%.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatAreSomeRelatedAlternativeCareers">What Are Some Related Alternative Careers?</h3><p>Alternative careers for computer technicians would definitely include computer hardware engineers who work planning and designing a variety of computer tech products like processors, circuit boards, and wireless memory devices. Maybe you'd be more interested in a career as a database administrator, where you'd spend time organizing, storing, and protecting information for a school, financial institute, or library. Other related work could include computer network architecture, which involves designing and building LANs or WANs. Another career could be as an operations research analyst, which requires the use of analytical methods and higher mathematics to identify and solve complex issues.</p>