Duties and Responsibilities of an IT Technician Job

An Information Technology (IT) Technician is known as the “go-to” person for installing and maintaining computer systems and networks, aiming for the highest functionality. The size and industry of the company or organization will determine how many systems the technician will work with. Additionally, an IT Technician will train users on the systems to make appropriate and safe use of the IT infrastructure. This job involves a wide range of duties, but if you enjoy working with technology and people, a career as an IT technician may be a good fit for you. Let’s explore the IT technician job description in more detail.

What is an IT Technician? 

There are two different types of IT Technicians. Someone who can provide general desktop and printer support and someone who can provide network support. 

A general IT Technician installs computers and other IT equipment such as printers, copiers, and fax machines. They install software and systems onto the computer as well. Additionally, ensuring that new computers and laptops are connected to the servers on a secure network and support staff with any computer-related problems they may have.  Finally, the general IT Technician is usually the employee who monitors servers, their backups, and any software updates that may be needed. 

A network IT Technician installs all of the networking equipment, such as routers and switches, as well as cabling. While they do know about computers, the network is their main specialty. So, they regularly manage networks to ensure that they are running optimally and that there are no problems slowing down a network’s performance. The IT Technician is who the staff looks to for direction when they have a technical problem or need specific training on how to access a network. 

What are the Requirements & Qualifications of an IT Technician? 

The requirements and qualifications to be a successful IT Technician include a Bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field. They will also have proven experience in a related field. The IT Technician will have excellent diagnostic and problem-solving skills. They will also be a good communicator as they are the ones that staff and coworkers will look to for tech support. A solid knowledge of internet security and data privacy principles is also required. Finally, an in-depth understanding of a wide range of computer systems and networks.

Future Outlook for IT Technicians

In general, the industries that employ IT Technicians the most are computer system design companies, educational systems, and telecommunications. But, other industries are seeing the reward of staffing these experts. Because of this, these skilled workers are in demand and this demand is growing. This demand is expected to see an 11% increase over the next five years.  The median salary for a general IT Technician is about $50,800. A network IT Technician can expect to make about $62,000 annually. While not required, the IT Techician who has a certification in the industry (e.g. CompTIA A+, Microsoft Certified IT Professional) will have an advantage and can expect a higher pay.  

Organizations rely on their comuters and networks every day. It is the IT Technician who ensures that it is a secure system that is running at optimial levels.

Now that you’re familiar with the IT technician job description, learn more about other IT related jobs at techspirited.com.