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Computer Support Technician Schools, Salaries, and Job Data

Computer Support Technicians Job Overview

Computer support technicians provide technical assistance, advise and support to customers and users. They interpret problems and provide support for hardware and software systems. They either work within a company using computer systems or for computer hardware or software vendors. They also can work for help desk or support service firms. Support technicians also install, clean, repair and modify computer hardware and software. They also look after the daily performance of their company’s computer systems.

Computer Support Technicians Schools and Degrees

A bachelor’s degree in computer science or information systems is generally required for computer support technicians, but certification and relevant experience is an added advantage. Many jobs in Computer Support require only an Associate's degree or certificate. Certifications for computer support technicians include MCE (Microsoft), Computer Repair, Computer Support, and others. Companies are becoming more flexible regarding requirement of college degrees. Vocational schools, community colleges and colleges offer relevant training. Certification training programs are offered by many vendors and product makers, which help to qualify for entry-level positions.

Job Requirements

Computer support technicians must have strong analytical, problem-solving and communication skills. They should be able to communicate effectively via e-mail, over the phone, on paper or in person. Beginners work for organizations that deal directly with customers. With improvements in technology, computer support technicians must strive to acquire new skills. Seminars offered by computing services firms are helpful in enhancing skills.

Nature of Work

Computer support technicians run automatic diagnostics programs to resolve problems, write training manuals and train computer users. Computer support technicians generally work in well-lighted, comfortable offices or computer laboratories. They work about 40 hours a week, but they might have to work for longer hours depending on employer requirement and unexpected technical problems. Like other people who work on computers, support technicians are prone to eyestrain, back discomfort and hand and wrist problems. They are accountable for local-area networks, wide-area networks, network segments and Internet and Intranet systems. They gather data to find out customer needs and then use the information to identify, interpret and assess system and network requirements. After gaining experience, they may specialize in printer, server or telecommunications repair, or work as a programmer or database manager.

Computer Support Technicians Jobs and Outlook

According to research, computer support technicians held about 552,000 jobs in the US and is expected to increase by 13 percent in the next ten years. Employment is the highest in the following industries:

  • Computer systems design and related services
  • Colleges, universities, and professional schools
  • Elementary and secondary schools
  • Management of companies and enterprises
  • Software publishers

The mean hourly wage for computer support technicians in the US is about $21.78, while the mean annual wages are around $45,300.

Job Numbers and Growth

There were about 552,000 computer support technicians across the US in 2008. Unemployment for workers was considered low in the recent past, relative to other occupations. The percentage of employees unemployed in 2008 was 4%.

Area Job Conditions

The cities with the most computer support technicians per capita are Coeur d'Alene (Idaho), Provo (Utah), and Lowell (Massachusetts), while the worst cities are Kingman (Arizona), Decatur (Alabama), and Ocean City (New Jersey).

The highest salaries for workers are in and around Lowell (Massachusetts), San Jose (California), and Boston (Massachusetts). The lowest-paying areas are Brownsville (Texas), Grand Forks (North Dakota), and Lexington (Kentucky).

Training and Education

Education or job training for employees typically involves an associate degree. At least 43% of computer support technicians had a degree of four or more years. About 44% of workers had some college below a bachelor's degree. An estimated 13% of employees had just a high-school diploma. Recommended schools are shown in the column to the right; request information from them to help you decide which if any could help you with this career.

Part-Time Work and Self-Employment

An estimated 7% of computer support technicians work part-time. An estimated 1% of workers were self-employed.

Computer Support Technicians by Metropolitan Area (city and its surroundings)

In the table below, a Job Density near 0% means the area has an average number of people in this occupation, for its population. A higher or lower Job Density (e.g., +22% or -45%) tells you there are that many more or fewer workers of that type there than in the average US metro area. So, the higher the number, the more common the occupation.

Alabama

City and AreaMedian SalaryEmployeesJob Density
Anniston$41,00060-67%
Auburn$37,000180+4%
Birmingham$45,0001,650-29%
Decatur$31,00050-76%
Dothan$35,00090-62%
Florence$34,00070-65%
Huntsville$41,0001,100+23%
Mobile$37,000410-48%
Montgomery$38,000580-21%
Tuscaloosa$42,000170-54%

Alaska

City and AreaMedian SalaryEmployeesJob Density
Anchorage$46,000500-27%
Fairbanks$48,00070-42%

Arizona

City and AreaMedian SalaryEmployeesJob Density
Flagstaff$43,000170-21%
Kingman$42,00050-75%
Phoenix$50,0009,450+13%
Prescott$35,000160-35%
Tucson$45,000970-40%
Yuma$41,00090-62%

Arkansas

City and AreaMedian SalaryEmployeesJob Density
Fayetteville$36,000810-5%
Fort Smith$35,000250-49%
Hot Springs$33,000110-21%
Jonesboro$33,000140-27%
Little Rock$40,0001,460-2%
Pine Bluff$33,00060-52%

California

City and AreaMedian SalaryEmployeesJob Density
Bakersfield$46,000530-54%
Chico$41,000220-21%
El Centro$44,00090-55%
Fresno$42,000690-53%
Hanford$43,00040-62%
Madera$46,00070-49%
Merced$46,000120-47%
Modesto$46,000260-63%
Napa$47,000100-61%
Oakland$54,0005,020+9%
Oxnard$46,0001,180-9%
Redding$47,000160-40%
Riverside$48,0003,210-44%
Sacramento$51,0003,770-5%
Salinas$47,000360-45%
San Diego$47,0006,300+5%
San Francisco$60,0005,510+23%
San Jose$67,0007,610+85%
San Luis Obispo$48,000330-20%
Santa Ana$49,0007,970+16%
Santa Barbara$45,000920+28%
Santa Cruz$51,000300-16%
Santa Rosa$50,000510-35%
Stockton$43,000390-58%
Vallejo$53,000450-12%
Visalia$41,000260-54%
Yuba City$42,000120-19%

Colorado

City and AreaMedian SalaryEmployeesJob Density
Boulder$48,0001,200+75%
Colorado Springs$48,0001,560+43%
Denver$52,0007,750+38%
Fort Collins$48,000810+60%
Grand Junction$45,000150-33%
Greeley$46,000220-27%
Pueblo$43,000110-48%

Connecticut

City and AreaMedian SalaryEmployeesJob Density
Bridgeport$55,0001,920-1%
Danbury$46,000230-19%
Hartford$52,0002,600+1%
New Haven$51,000820-33%
Norwich$46,000400-23%
Waterbury$45,000200-27%

Delaware

City and AreaMedian SalaryEmployeesJob Density
Dover$50,000200-7%
Wilmington$57,0001,730+20%

District of Columbia

City and AreaMedian SalaryEmployeesJob Density
Washington$53,00015,530+50%

Florida

City and AreaMedian SalaryEmployeesJob Density
Cape Coral$45,000720-20%
Deltona$40,000390-41%
Fort Lauderdale$37,0005,290+62%
Fort Walton Beach$44,000360+18%
Gainesville$34,000500+4%
Jacksonville$40,0002,340-13%
Lakeland$39,000430-48%
Miami$42,0003,590-19%
Naples$45,000310-38%
Ocala$36,000220-43%
Orlando$40,0004,830+3%
Palm Bay$43,000890+5%
Palm Coast$32,00040-12%
Panama City$37,000390+41%
Pensacola$37,000420-34%
Port St Lucie$42,000210-60%
Punta Gorda$36,00050-67%
Sarasota$40,000600-47%
Sebastian$35,000100-46%
Tallahassee$37,000910+31%
Tampa$43,0005,240-4%
West Palm Beach$43,0002,210-7%

Georgia

City and AreaMedian SalaryEmployeesJob Density
Athens$37,000410+35%
Atlanta$48,00015,120+42%
Augusta$40,000640-28%
Brunswick$40,00060-63%
Columbus$41,000610+34%
Dalton$35,000240-23%
Gainesville$45,000190-33%
Hinesville$36,00080+83%
Macon$37,000320-22%
Rome$34,000170+24%
Savannah$40,000430-32%
Valdosta$38,00090-59%
Warner Robins$47,000140-28%

Hawaii

City and AreaMedian SalaryEmployeesJob Density
Honolulu$45,0001,000-48%

Idaho

City and AreaMedian SalaryEmployeesJob Density
Boise$40,0001,950+66%
Coeur Dalene$40,000620+189%
Idaho Falls$40,000200+9%
Lewiston$33,00040-51%
Pocatello$34,00040-64%

Illinois

City and AreaMedian SalaryEmployeesJob Density
Champaign$38,000290-25%
Chicago$53,00014,530-15%
Danville$38,00050-46%
Decatur$47,00080-56%
Kankakee$45,00060-58%
Peoria$38,000460-37%
Rockford$37,000240-63%
Springfield$44,000570+34%

Indiana

City and AreaMedian SalaryEmployeesJob Density
Anderson$37,00050-67%
Bloomington$35,000190-31%
Columbus$42,000130-20%
Elkhart$40,000220-59%
Evansville$37,000380-49%
Fort Wayne$45,000740-19%
Gary$40,000680-44%
Indianapolis$43,0003,730-7%
Kokomo$43,00050-62%
Lafayette$37,000280-8%
Michigan City$41,00060-63%
Muncie$43,000220+26%
South Bend$37,000580+1%
Terre Haute$35,000110-61%

Iowa

City and AreaMedian SalaryEmployeesJob Density
Ames$43,000100-30%
Cedar Rapids$49,000460-19%
Davenport$38,000730-7%
Des Moines$42,0001,600+11%
Dubuque$39,000110-45%
Iowa City$43,000370+28%
Sioux City$36,000260-9%
Waterloo$38,000250-28%

Kansas

City and AreaMedian SalaryEmployeesJob Density
Lawrence$37,000120-31%
Topeka$43,000490+7%
Wichita$40,0001,400+5%

Kentucky

City and AreaMedian SalaryEmployeesJob Density
Bowling Green$34,000140-38%
Elizabethtown$34,000140-16%
Lexington$32,0001,760+67%
Louisville$42,0001,850-33%
Owensboro$36,000120-36%

Louisiana

City and AreaMedian SalaryEmployeesJob Density
Alexandria$44,00060-75%
Baton Rouge$45,000960-41%
Houma$40,000110-72%
Lafayette$41,000550-10%
Lake Charles$44,000120-66%
Monroe$30,000190-40%
New Orleans$40,0001,390-39%
Shreveport$43,000390-48%

Maine

City and AreaMedian SalaryEmployeesJob Density
Bangor$38,000180-29%
Lewiston$38,000140-27%
Portland$43,000760-13%

Maryland

City and AreaMedian SalaryEmployeesJob Density
Baltimore$50,0005,990+3%
Bethesda$52,0003,470+36%
Cumberland$38,00060-55%
Hagerstown$42,000410+0%
Salisbury$43,000150-27%

Massachusetts

City and AreaMedian SalaryEmployeesJob Density
Barnstable Town$50,000200-52%
Boston$62,00011,380+47%
Brockton$53,000120-67%
Framingham$59,0001,260+82%
Haverhill$49,000270-13%
Lawrence$56,000230+2%
Leominster$45,000150-23%
Lowell$66,0001,040+105%
New Bedford$47,000130-50%
Pittsfield$40,000140+14%
Springfield$45,0001,060-19%
Taunton$58,000170-5%
Worcester$52,000910-16%

Michigan

City and AreaMedian SalaryEmployeesJob Density
Ann Arbor$42,0001,170+65%
Battle Creek$41,000100-47%
Detroit$50,0002,780-12%
Flint$40,000210-64%
Grand Rapids$43,0001,220-27%
Holland$41,000210-50%
Jackson$37,00090-56%
Kalamazoo$42,000470-18%
Lansing$41,0001,110+34%
Monroe$45,00080-46%
Muskegon$50,000130-45%
Niles$48,000160-35%
Saginaw$42,000190-38%
Warren$47,0005,710+10%

Minnesota

City and AreaMedian SalaryEmployeesJob Density
Duluth$40,000300-44%
Minneapolis$50,00010,110+26%
Rochester$44,000410+8%
St Cloud$42,000310-27%

Mississippi

City and AreaMedian SalaryEmployeesJob Density
Gulfport$40,000290-36%
Hattiesburg$30,000290+30%
Jackson$41,000870-21%
Pascagoula$31,000120-34%

Missouri

City and AreaMedian SalaryEmployeesJob Density
Columbia$39,000520+56%
Jefferson City$39,000360+31%
Joplin$33,000130-60%
Kansas City$44,0005,270+14%
Springfield$39,000780-7%
St Joseph$40,000100-49%
St Louis$45,0006,640+10%

Montana

City and AreaMedian SalaryEmployeesJob Density
Billings$37,000250-24%
Great Falls$37,00090-30%
Missoula$39,000210+4%

Nebraska

City and AreaMedian SalaryEmployeesJob Density
Lincoln$41,000740+6%
Omaha$39,0001,860-9%

Nevada

City and AreaMedian SalaryEmployeesJob Density
Carson City$47,000180+83%
Las Vegas$46,0002,980-28%
Reno$42,000710-21%

New Hampshire

City and AreaMedian SalaryEmployeesJob Density
Manchester$49,000470+8%
Nashua$51,000630+8%
Portsmouth$45,000310+40%
Rochester$42,000280+25%

New Jersey

City and AreaMedian SalaryEmployeesJob Density
Atlantic City$45,000350-44%
Camden$45,0001,920-18%
Edison$51,0004,180-9%
Newark$49,0004,070-10%
Ocean City$48,00030-81%
Trenton$48,0001,440+55%
Vineland$40,00090-60%

New Mexico

City and AreaMedian SalaryEmployeesJob Density
Albuquerque$47,0001,760+2%
Farmington$45,00080-61%
Las Cruces$43,000250+3%
Santa Fe$40,00090-64%

New York

City and AreaMedian SalaryEmployeesJob Density
Albany$44,0002,090+8%
Binghamton$39,000480+9%
Buffalo$43,0002,040-15%
Elmira$45,00060-54%
Glens Falls$42,000110-46%
Ithaca$50,000250+54%
Kingston$43,000170-28%
Nassau$49,0003,650-35%
New York$57,00023,680+3%
Poughkeepsie$42,0001,060+2%
Rochester$46,0002,550+15%
Syracuse$43,0001,240-9%
Utica$38,000440-18%

North Carolina

City and AreaMedian SalaryEmployeesJob Density
Asheville$37,000470-38%
Burlington$45,000230-1%
Charlotte$47,0004,180+6%
Durham$48,0002,160+81%
Fayetteville$45,000320-37%
Goldsboro$45,00050-65%
Greensboro$45,0001,470-10%
Greenville$41,000380+33%
Hickory$41,000310-55%
Jacksonville$34,000100-35%
Raleigh$50,0003,050+34%
Rocky Mount$37,000170-26%
Wilmington$40,000480-22%
Winston Salem$45,000800-14%

North Dakota

City and AreaMedian SalaryEmployeesJob Density
Bismarck$37,000170-23%
Fargo$32,000930+92%
Grand Forks$33,000200+7%

Ohio

City and AreaMedian SalaryEmployeesJob Density
Akron$43,0001,300-12%
Canton$36,000390-47%
Cincinnati$44,0005,040+8%
Cleveland$44,0003,750-21%
Columbus$40,0006,560+57%
Dayton$41,0001,840+7%
Lima$38,00070-66%
Mansfield$40,000150-26%
Sandusky$40,000160+22%
Springfield$32,000110-39%
Toledo$40,000680-50%
Youngstown$36,000530-48%

Oklahoma

City and AreaMedian SalaryEmployeesJob Density
Lawton$35,00080-42%
Oklahoma City$37,0003,800+51%
Tulsa$39,0002,000+4%

Oregon

City and AreaMedian SalaryEmployeesJob Density
Bend$44,000290+6%
Corvallis$45,00090-21%
Eugene$45,000710+12%
Medford$40,000250-27%
Portland$45,0005,120+10%
Salem$40,000470-26%

Pennsylvania

City and AreaMedian SalaryEmployeesJob Density
Allentown$44,000920-38%
Altoona$33,000160-32%
Erie$33,000410-22%
Harrisburg$39,0001,380-1%
Johnstown$34,000110-50%
Lancaster$43,000520-49%
Lebanon$45,000110-38%
Philadelphia$45,00010,150+20%
Pittsburgh$39,0004,890-4%
Reading$46,000580-17%
Scranton$38,000780-30%
State College$41,000370+68%
Williamsport$37,000120-39%
York$41,000570-26%

Rhode Island

City and AreaMedian SalaryEmployeesJob Density
Providence$43,0002,000-20%

South Carolina

City and AreaMedian SalaryEmployeesJob Density
Anderson$36,00070-71%
Columbia$42,0001,200-22%
Florence$37,000220-35%
Greenville$42,0001,110-17%
Myrtle Beach$37,000150-70%
Spartanburg$45,000370-28%
Sumter$36,00040-69%

South Dakota

City and AreaMedian SalaryEmployeesJob Density
Rapid City$32,000170-31%
Sioux Falls$36,000760+30%

Tennessee

City and AreaMedian SalaryEmployeesJob Density
Chattanooga$40,000760-25%
Clarksville$49,000150-51%
Cleveland$32,00040-70%
Jackson$35,000100-56%
Johnson City$38,000130-57%
Kingsport$35,000260-45%
Knoxville$41,000830-44%
Memphis$44,0001,990-28%
Morristown$38,00050-72%
Nashville$44,0003,450+1%

Texas

City and AreaMedian SalaryEmployeesJob Density
Abilene$44,000210-14%
Amarillo$41,000280-32%
Austin$44,0005,180+52%
Beaumont$33,000350-48%
Brownsville$30,000220-57%
College Station$33,000360+16%
Corpus Christi$39,000290-61%
Dallas$47,00015,350+63%
El Paso$38,0001,120-2%
Fort Worth$42,0002,970-23%
Houston$48,00012,350+7%
Killeen$47,000790+59%
Laredo$36,000250-26%
Longview$41,000130-66%
Lubbock$34,000370-27%
Mcallen$32,000440-54%
Midland$45,000190-28%
Odessa$38,00080-64%
San Angelo$53,000120-22%
San Antonio$43,0003,680-2%
Sherman$37,000110-26%
Texarkana$32,00080-62%
Tyler$35,000180-51%
Victoria$35,00070-61%
Waco$40,000320-19%
Wichita Falls$40,000110-51%

Utah

City and AreaMedian SalaryEmployeesJob Density
Logan$35,000130-26%
Ogden$42,000790-8%
Provo$33,0001,630+131%
Salt Lake City$45,0003,990+43%
St George$36,000140-25%

Vermont

City and AreaMedian SalaryEmployeesJob Density
Burlington$47,000860+88%

Virginia

City and AreaMedian SalaryEmployeesJob Density
Blacksburg$37,000220-9%
Charlottesville$42,000460+20%
Danville$40,00050-61%
Harrisonburg$34,000130-38%
Lynchburg$44,000220-47%
Richmond$46,0003,380+27%
Roanoke$42,000350-48%
Virginia Beach$42,0003,060-9%
Winchester$40,000100-51%

Washington

City and AreaMedian SalaryEmployeesJob Density
Bellingham$43,000240-25%
Bremerton$41,000270-20%
Kennewick$47,000250-32%
Longview$43,00050-59%
Mount Vernon$47,00090-47%
Olympia$47,000580+51%
Seattle$52,0007,720+20%
Spokane$43,000800-11%
Tacoma$45,000780-34%
Wenatchee$39,00080-47%
Yakima$40,000220-32%

West Virginia

City and AreaMedian SalaryEmployeesJob Density
Charleston$35,000410-33%
Huntington$34,000150-68%
Morgantown$40,000200+12%
Parkersburg$39,000100-64%
Weirton$44,000110-31%
Wheeling$36,000190-24%

Wisconsin

City and AreaMedian SalaryEmployeesJob Density
Appleton$40,000290-39%
Eau Claire$44,000260-16%
Fond$39,00080-52%
Green Bay$46,000520-27%
Janesville$38,000180-30%
La Crosse$40,000170-38%
Madison$45,0001,520+4%
Milwaukee$47,0002,680-29%
Oshkosh$41,000250-27%
Racine$41,000160-49%
Sheboygan$35,000100-55%
Wausau$40,000230-14%

Wyoming

City and AreaMedian SalaryEmployeesJob Density
Casper$40,00040-72%
Cheyenne$39,000120-27%

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