Duties & Responsibilities of a Computer Technician

by Ashley Donohoe; Updated June 27, 2018

A computer technician's job focuses on fixing software, operating system and hardware issues that customers face, whether it's a word processing program that needs to be installed or a faulty memory board that needs to be replaced. This role requires knowing the details about how software and hardware function, along with an ability to provide good customer service. If you're interested in technology and you like solving challenging technical issues, working as a computer technician can be a good place to start.

Job Description

Computer technicians offer remote support from an office or they perform hands-on work at the work site, so they help get software, hardware and operating systems installed and configured. They also provide support when problems occur. The roles of a computer technician also include troubleshooting. They ask the customers various questions about the installed computer systems, and they run diagnostic software, handle software security updates to keep computers safe and they reassemble computers when needed. You'll need strong customer service and listening skills to understand a customer's problem so that you can help them, even when they are frustrated. Problem-solving skills are paramount so that you can figure out exactly what is causing the tricky hardware and software issues.

Educational Requirements

The main requirement for a computer technician job is to have the necessary technical expertise for the job. Employers may require an undergraduate degree or a computer certification. You can find non-degree and degree options at technical schools that offer computer-support technician programs that focus on setting up, managing and debugging computers and the associated networking equipment. The CompTIA certification vendor offers some options for computer technicians, including A+ and Network+ credentials.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), computer-user support specialists made median annual wages of $50,210 in May 2017, with the lower half of support specialists making less and the upper half of specialists making more. The BLS noted that the lower 10 percent earned under $30,550 a year, and the upper10 percent exceeded $82,900 annually. The average wage reported for the top employer-computer systems design – was $55,700, whereas K-12 schools offered an average of $47,890. Average wages were higher for software publishers at $59,370.


As a computer technician, the most common industries you might work in include computer systems designs; K-12 schools and post-secondary education; company and enterprise management; and employment services. Software publishers, data firms and manufacturers also hire computer technicians. Although being on-site or traveling to customers is necessary for hardware installation and repair, you may be able to work remotely if you fix software and operating system issues. You can expect to work full-time with irregular hours that are often needed in support services.

Years of Experience

Being in an entry-level information technology role, computer technicians tend to earn less starting out than do other technical workers. Pay increases do happen with experience, however, and you can specialize in a field such as networking or software so that you could advance to higher paying computer occupations. Here is an example of computer technician pay ranges by experience from April 2018, reported on PayScale.com:

  • Entry-level: $24,782 - $52,047
  • Mid-career: $28,210 - $57,711
  • Experienced: $29,975 - $65,897
  • Late-career: $33,100 - $74,820

Job Growth Trend

Employment growth for computer technicians between 2016 and 2026 will be 11 percent, which is better than average, notes the BLS. Companies will particularly need computer technicians to help install hardware and software and fix issues that arise. The healthcare and computer systems design industries will have the highest demand computer technicians. Although you can expect good career prospects because of increased demand, you can fare even better if you have technical experience and a college degree.

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