Growth in the information technology industry should result in the creation of 800,000 new jobs relating to computers from 2006 through 2016, predicts the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). While many careers related to computers require a four-year bachelor's degree, some jobs require less or no formal post-secondary education, including manual labor and some office jobs. Salary expectations for these basic computer jobs vary among job types.
Data Entry Clerks
Data entry clerks input information, such as customer contact information or inventory records, into computer systems. Typically, only a high school diploma or GED is necessary to work as a data entry clerk; employers provide on-the-job training. Having the ability to type quickly without sacrificing accuracy is necessary for success as a clerk. Often, clerks have goals to complete so many entries during an hour or over an entire shift. As of May 2009, the average annual salary for data entry clerks was $28,000, according to BLS.
Computer Repair Technician
Computer repair technicians use tools such as circuit testers and soldering guns to fix the internal parts of computers when they break or malfunction. When problems occur, technicians run diagnostic tests to determine the source and may consult technical diagrams and drawings while making repairs. Most employers prefer to hire technicians who have some formal training in electronics repair. Vocational-technical schools and computer manufacturers offer training courses and certificate and diploma programs. Some community colleges also offer computer repair associate degrees. Computer repair technicians made an average of $39,420 per year as of May 2009, explains BLS.
Webmaster
Webmasters or website administrators maintain websites for one or more companies. They add content, answer or forward emails received through the site and monitor web traffic. Some employers prefer to hire webmasters with a certificate or diploma from a vocational or technical school, while others will hire high school graduates with experience in the field. Prospective webmasters can also seek voluntary certifications to make themselves more desirable to employers or earn higher rates of pay. Offered through groups such as Certification Partners, Inc., these certifications usually require the completion of a written examination. As of November 2010, webmasters made an average of $37,504 to $58,877 per year, reports Payscale.
Help Desk Specialists
Help desk specialists provide assistance to computer users by phone or online. Specialists ask users questions to determine the nature of their problems and then walk users through the solutions. Some employers provide on-the-job training for help desk specialists and require only a high school diploma or GED and previous computer-related experience. Others look for applicants who have a certificate, diploma or associate's degree in computer support, computer science or a related field. Certifications are also available for specialists from computer and software manufacturers and organizations such as CompTIA. Computer support specialists received average annual salaries of $47,360 as of May 2009, according to BLS.
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