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Computer Installation/Repair

Types of Degrees Computer Installation/Repair Majors Are Earning

Those studying Computer Installation/Repair may pursue degrees at several award levels.

Award Level	Graduates
Certificate	441
Associate’s Degree	142
Bachelor’s Degree	27
Master’s Degree	1,319

What Computer Installation/Repair Majors Need to Know

Coursework for Computer Installation/Repair emphasize a specific mix of knowledge, skills, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in occupations that Computer Installation/Repair graduates commonly enter.

Knowledge Areas

Coursework in Computer Installation/Repair emphasizes the following knowledge areas:

• Computers and Electronics — Importance 4.3 / 5; level 5.2 / 7.
• Mechanical — Importance 3.9 / 5; level 4.6 / 7.
• Customer and Personal Service — Importance 3.8 / 5; level 3.9 / 7.
• Engineering and Technology — Importance 3.3 / 5; level 3.8 / 7.
• English Language — Importance 3.3 / 5; level 3.0 / 7.

^{Importance is rated 1–5; level is 1–7. Source: ONET Online — weighted across related occupations.*}

Skills

The skill set emphasized by a Computer Installation/Repair program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:

• Repairing — Importance 3.7 / 5; level 3.5 / 7.
• Critical Thinking — Importance 3.6 / 5; level 3.4 / 7.
• Troubleshooting — Importance 3.6 / 5; level 3.6 / 7.
• Quality Control Analysis — Importance 3.5 / 5; level 3.4 / 7.
• Equipment Maintenance — Importance 3.5 / 5; level 3.3 / 7.

Abilities

Innate abilities most relevant to Computer Installation/Repair careers — again drawn from O*NET surveys of related occupations:

• Near Vision — Importance 3.9 / 5; level 4.0 / 7.
• Oral Comprehension — Importance 3.8 / 5; level 3.8 / 7.
• Problem Sensitivity — Importance 3.7 / 5; level 3.5 / 7.
• Information Ordering — Importance 3.6 / 5; level 3.5 / 7.
• Finger Dexterity — Importance 3.6 / 5; level 3.6 / 7.

Common Job Activities

Day-to-day, Computer Installation/Repair graduates report doing:

Activity	Frequency / Importance
Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment	4.5 / 7
Making Decisions and Solving Problems	4.3 / 7
Working with Computers	4.1 / 7
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials	4.0 / 7
Getting Information	4.0 / 7
Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment	3.8 / 7
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events	3.7 / 7
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge	3.7 / 7
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings	3.5 / 7
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates	3.5 / 7

Technology Skills Used on the Job

Most frequently-cited tools used by Computer Installation/Repair professionals:

Tool / Software	Category	In-Demand
Operating system software	Operating system software	—
Microsoft Windows	Operating system software	—
Word processing software	Word processing software	—
Email software	Electronic mail software	—
Microsoft Excel	Spreadsheet software	✓
Database software	Data base user interface and query software	—
Microsoft Office software	Office suite software	✓
Microsoft Word	Word processing software	—
JavaScript	Web platform development software	—
Scheduling software	Calendar and scheduling software	—
Microsoft Exchange	Electronic mail software	—
Symantec Norton Utilities	Filesystem software	—

^{Source: ONET Online technology skills, weighted across related occupations.*}

Sample Job Titles

Real job postings for Computer Installation/Repair graduates include:

• Electronics Mechanic
• Repair Technician
• Computing Systems Mechanic
• Support Technician
• Break/Fix Tech (Break/Fix Technician)
• Soundscriber Mechanic
• Typewriter Aligner
• Copying Machine Mechanic
• Dictaphone Technician
• Field Dispatch Support Technician
• Personal Computer Maintenance Technician (PC Maintenance Tech)
• Printer Technician
• Typewriter Mechanic
• Field Service Technician
• Electronics Computer Mechanic

Education Typically Required

Across the occupations open to Computer Installation/Repair graduates, the typical level of education actually held by current workers is distributed as:

Education Level	Share of Workers
Associate’s degree (or other 2-year)	39.0%
Postsecondary certificate	31.6%
High school diploma or equivalent	25.2%
Some college courses	3.9%
Bachelor’s degree	0.2%

^{Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*}

Who Is Earning a Degree in Computer Installation/Repair?

Gender Distribution

This field skews predominantly male, with men earning 76.9% of Computer Installation/Repair degrees.

Gender	Graduates	Share
Women	570	23.1%
Men	1,901	76.9%

Racial-Ethnic Diversity

At the national level, the racial-ethnic distribution of Computer Installation/Repair graduates is as follows:

Race / Ethnicity	Graduates	Share
White	875	35.4%
Asian	112	4.5%
Hispanic or Latino	763	30.9%
Black or African American	505	20.4%
American Indian / Alaska Native	22	0.9%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander	4	0.2%
Two or More Races	118	4.8%
Race Unknown	44	1.8%
International Students	28	1.1%

^{See minority definition below.}

How Much Do Computer Installation/Repair Graduates Earn?

College Scorecard reports median earnings of Computer Installation/Repair graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow steadily as graduates gain experience and move into mid-career roles.

Years Out	Median Earnings
1 year	$36,246
4 years	$37,373
5 years	$41,963

By year 5 out, median earnings rise to $41,963 — roughly 16% above the 1-year mark.

^{Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.}

Is a Degree in Computer Installation/Repair Worth It?

Strictly by the federal earnings tracker, Computer Installation/Repair graduates earn a median of $37,373 four years after completion — about 2% below the national median for workers with only a high school diploma (~$38,000). On earnings alone, this program does not show an income premium over the baseline; non-financial outcomes (career interests, certification requirements, advancement potential) are typically the stronger argument for fields in this range.

^{ROI estimate compares the program’s 4-yr median earnings against the 2023 BLS CPS median earnings for high-school-only workers. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard + BLS Current Population Survey.}

Related Programs

You may also be interested in these closely related fields of study:

Program	Annual Degrees Awarded
Electrical/Electronics Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians	9,559
Industrial Electronics Technology/Technician	3,026
Electrical/Electronics Equipment Installation and Repair Technology/Technician, General	2,549
Electrical/Electronics Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians, Other	1,116
Communications Systems Installation and Repair Technology/Technician	290
Appliance Installation and Repair Technology/Technician	65
Security System Installation, Repair, and Inspection Technology/Technician	42
Business Machine Repair	—

References

The racial-ethnic minorities count is calculated by taking the total number of students and subtracting white students and international students. This number is then divided by the total number of students to obtain the racial-ethnic minorities percentage.

• College Factual
• National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)
• O*NET Online
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
• U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard

More about our data sources and methodologies.