How Much Money Does a Computer Repair Specialist Make?
Computer repair specialists install hardware and software, maintain equipment and troubleshoot problems on computer systems in a company or for personal computer users. The repair technician can work in the computer support department of an organization or as a self-employed professional. The average salary for a computer repair technician is between $22,445 and $38,733 as of December 2010, according to PayScale.
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Experience
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Technicians with the most experience earn the highest salaries in this field. According to PayScale, a technician with 20 years in the position can earn an average salary up to $58,041 while those with one to four years as a computer repair specialist earn an average up to $36,755. Experienced computer repair technicians are familiar with hardware and software packages, which make these employees a valuable resource for an employer.
Type of Employer
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Computer repair specialists can work for companies, government agencies, colleges and universities or be self-employed contract employees. The highest paid employees are contract workers, with an average salary between $28,496 and $50,868, while those working for colleges and universities earn between $27,500 and $38,618, according to PayScale. Computer repair specialists working for a hospital earn an average salary of $36,940 and $49,156 and those working for companies earn between $25,833 and $43,887 as of December 2010.
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Location
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Location is another factor that determines the average salary a computer repair specialist earns. The cost of living in different states is one reason a worker in one state may earn a higher salary than those in another state. For example, computer repair technicians in California earn an average salary between $25,437 and $49,970 while those working in Georgia earn between $26,141 and $38,686, according to PayScale. According to Sperling's, the cost of living in Los Angeles is 32 percent higher than in Atlanta. One of the reasons for differences in cost of living is housing costs, which is 53 percent higher in Los Angeles.
Certification
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Computer repair specialists can acquire certifications for working on various types of equipment and software, which affects the salary the professional may earn. Certifications offer information on the latest hardware configurations for various models of computers. Repair specialists who are a Dell Certified Systems Expert earn the highest average salaries between $35,622 and $59,495. Microsoft Certified Professional technicians earn an average salary of $30,573 to $47,971. Computer repair specialists may hold additional certifications, such as Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator.
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References
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