Become a Computer Support Technician

Computer support technicians are essential to the efficiency of a company's information technology.

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Computer Support Technician Job Description

Computer support technicians provide technical assistance to a company's computer users. They troubleshoot problems and provide technical support for hardware, software and computer systems. Computer tech support specialists analyze problems by using diagnostic programs and resolve users' computer problems. Computer support technicians also install computer software (or reinstall it, if it has become corrupted) and repair faulty hardware. If you've ever had a hard drive crash, you know how important good computer support techs are. They can sometimes recover invaluable lost data, and will install a new hard drive for you. Help desk technicians answer telephone calls and emails from customers who have computer problems. They must have good listening skills and ask questions to diagnose the nature of a user's problems, and then patiently walk the customer through the problem-solving steps. If they can't fix a problem on the phone, they will come to your desk to resolve it.

Education

While training requirements vary, many employers prefer to hire computer support technicians with formal college education. A bachelor's degree in computer science or information systems is a prerequisite for some jobs; other jobs may require only a computer-related associate's degree, or relevant computer experience and IT certification.

Job promotions often depend more on performance than on formal education, but continuing education is helpful to further your IT career. As computer support techs gain experience, they may begin to specialize, for instance in printer, server or telecommunications repair, or work their way up to other positions such as programmer or database manager. In some cases, they may advance because of their on-the-job experience, but in others additional computer education is essential.

Employment of computer support technicians is expected to increase by 13 percent from 2006 to 2016. While some IT phone support will be outsourced to other countries, companies will always need on-site computer technicians to make hands-on computer repairs for their employees.

Salary

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual income of computer support specialists is $47,360. The middle 50 percent earned between $34,320 and $57,290, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $72,690.

Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics 2009

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