Computer Repair Technician Job Description

Computers are an integral part of almost everyone's life these days, but what happens if your computer breaks down? Computer repair technicians, or computer service technicians, are the people who get you up and running again. In addition to personal computers, computer repair technicians repair printers, disc drives, mainframes, servers, and many other common peripherals.

Computer repair techs are typically divided into two groups according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), www.bls.gov: field technicians and bench technicians. Field technicians work to fix the computer at the site of the problem be it an industrial plant, busy office, or individual residence. Bench technicians work in the repair facility where they have more tools at their disposal. Customers bring in their computers for repair and the bench technician uses a variety of methods from hardware to software to troubleshoot and repair the devices.

Educational Requirements for Computer Repair Technicians

An associate degree or some other type of formal training is typically the bare minimum requirement for becoming a computer repair technician. Technical/vocational schools and community/junior colleges offer the associate degree, while electronic device companies, the military, and other institutions provide job training. Certification is typically not required, but is very helpful when looking for employment or increasing salary with the current employer.

Job Outlook for Computer Repair Technicians

According to the BLS, www.bls.gov, the overall employment for the occupation of computer repair technician is expected to grow more slowly than the average for all occupations through the year 2014. The average computer repair technician made $16.90 in 2004.