What Is an IT Technician? How to Become One

An IT technician provides a wide range of services to support, fix, and maintain the hardware and software of an organisation’s computer systems. Often considered entry-level, IT technicians can go on to more specialised roles like systems engineer, network administrator, or cloud administrator.

How much do IT technicians make? IT technician salaries

As of June 2024, IT technicians in  India make an average salary of ₹2,70,451 per year, according to Indeed [1]. Additionally, this field is growing—The Economic Times projects hiring in the Indian IT sector to increase by 8 to 10 percent in 2024 [2].

What other entry-level IT jobs are similar?

IT technician is one of many titles in a job description for general IT support positions. In your job search, look for similar titles like help desk technician, desktop support technician, IT specialist, help desk analyst, or IT associate. Though roles might vary slightly, much of the skill set and expectations can be similar. For example, working as an IT specialist or help desk analyst might involve resolving user issues and less hands-on technical work. But you’ll still be expected to know your way around basic networking, troubleshooting, and security issues.

How to become an IT technician: 4 tips

Get on the path to becoming an IT technician—or a host of other entry-level IT positions—by following these four tips. 

1. Get a certification.

Many professionals have gotten their start in IT with an entry-level IT certification. Certification can be a great way to build up experience starting from scratch. It can also be a quick way for employers to see you have the skills and knowledge required to get an industry-standard certification. That can make you more competitive in the job market.

Getting a certification typically requires taking and passing an exam. Studying for this exam—through coursework or self-study—can give you a structured way to learn the skills you’ll want to have. Keep an eye out for credentials that will teach you the essentials of a wide range of IT areas, like the CompTIA A+. 

2. Build IT technician skills.

Below are a few skills often requested in job descriptions for entry-level IT positions, as well as tips on obtaining them.

• Troubleshooting protocol: As an entry-level IT professional, you’ll likely need to fix computers that go awry in the office. You should be familiar with the process of finding the root cause of a problem, solving it, and ensuring it doesn’t happen again.

• Hardware and software: Job descriptions often require the skill of setting up and configuring software and applications on PCs or Macs. You’ll also want to know how to install and set up various types of hardware, such as firewalls, access points, and network switches.

• Networks: You should know the essentials of maintaining and troubleshooting a computer network, like TCP/IP protocols and stacks.

Sometimes, landing an interview comes down to skills. But what do you do if you don’t have them yet? The following are a few ways to build up your toolkit.

• Courses: If you have a good idea of what skills you need to get, consider taking a course or two. These can target specific skills, like networking, or be more general. Classes are plentiful online but may also be available at your local community college. Don’t forget you can also take courses that will teach you a skill set and prepare you for a certification exam—like the Google IT Support Professional Certificate course, which prepares you for the CompTIA A+ certification.

• Certifications: A certification like the CompTIA A+ can give you the skills often needed for an entry-level IT job and grant you a credential that will communicate your competency to employers. 

• Teach yourself: Need hands-on experience? Diving into the thick of it can teach you a lot. Try building your own computer, finding an old one, taking it apart, and putting it together again. You can also use an old computer to experiment with configuring various software programs and familiarise yourself with different operating systems. 

• Internships and volunteer opportunities: An internship requires less previous experience than a full-time position, and some volunteer organisations may be happy to have your help if you understand IT basics. If you’re in school, you can approach your career centre to ask about any opportunities they know of. 

3. Learn the space.

Jumping right into a job search can be challenging—how do you know if you’re doing everything correctly? The good news is that you have plenty of resources to turn to. If you need guidance, try browsing or asking questions on Reddit and other online forums. Or find a few YouTube channels to see if you can gather any helpful advice.

Don’t forget your resources extend beyond the internet. Consider reaching out to family members, friends, friends of friends, alums from your alma mater, or coworkers who might work in IT. Seeing what advice they have about breaking into the field or learning how they got their job could help you navigate your own road into IT.

4. Go back to college.

If you have the time and resources to return to college, it can be worth considering earning an associate or bachelor’s degree. Not every IT technician position will require a degree, but having one can certainly position you to be more competitive. Plus, it might give you an income boost in the long run.

Try to concentrate your studies in computer science, information technology, or a related discipline. Look for coursework where you’ll get acquainted with hardware, software, networking, and security basics. These might have titles such as:

• Cybersecurity essentials

• Routing and switching essentials

• Computer hardware and software

• Scaling networks

• Microsoft server essentials

A college might also offer career development services, like a career centre, where you can ask about internship opportunities for students. Your school might also have an alumni network you can connect with. 

Getting started in IT

Getting a head start as an IT technician, IT associate, or help desk technician can be simple. If you’re ready to start but don’t know where to begin, look at the Google IT Support Professional Certificate. The programme will teach you job-ready skills in less than six months. Plus, the first week is free.