Computer Operators
Monitor and work with computers and data processing equipment.
Quick Facts
Wages: |
Data not available
Read more about wages
|
Outlook: |
Data not available
|
Education: |
High School or less
is typically required.
|
On the Job: |
Typical Work Tasks
- Format digital documents, data, or images.
- Operate computers or computerized equipment.
- Read work orders to determine material or setup requirements.
- Report maintenance or equipment problems to appropriate personnel.
Read more about the job
|
Job Title Examples: |
Computer Specialist
Information Technology Specialist
Operations and Maintenance Technician
See more job title examples
|
View All Career Information
This page includes information from the O*NET 24.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Wages & Outlook
Typical Wages
Data not available
Employment
Where do Computer Operators most often work?
Current Demand
No data available.
Future Demand
No data available.
On the Job
Computer Operators work with computers and data processing equipment to process all types of data according to instructions. They may watch for error messages. They may also enter computer commands.
Physical Demands 
This career requires good eyesight.
Typical Work Tasks
People who work in this career often:
- Format digital documents, data, or images.
- Operate computers or computerized equipment.
- Read work orders to determine material or setup requirements.
- Report maintenance or equipment problems to appropriate personnel.
- Monitor equipment operation to ensure proper functioning.
- Compile data or documentation.
- Schedule operational activities.
- Answer telephones to direct calls or provide information.
- Develop computer or online applications.
- Maintain operational records.
Typical Working Conditions
- Using e-mail.
- Working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions.
- The importance of being accurate or exact.
- Meeting strict deadlines.
- Freedom to make decisions without supervision.
- Sitting.
- Working with a group or team.
This page includes information from the O*NET 24.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Education & Credentials
Educational Requirements
High School or less
Education level attained (national data)
Education Level Attained (national data)| Education Level Attained | Percentage of workers in this occupation |
|---|
| Less than high school diploma | 2.6 |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 21.8 |
| Some college, no degree | 28.3 |
| Associate degree | 12.2 |
| Bachelors degree | 28 |
| Masters degree | 6.5 |
| Doctoral (Ph.D) or professional degree | 0.6 |
Work Experience and Training Requirements
Nationally, this career typically requires:
- No related work experience for entry.
- Moderate-term on-the-job training to become competent.
Current Training Opportunities
Related Programs
Majors
Click on any of the Majors listed below to find out more about preparing for this
career.
Transfer Options
Enrolling in a community college can be a great place to start your four-year degree. While all 31 Minnesota State community colleges,
technical colleges and universities offer all or part of the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum
(a 40-credit package of general education courses accepted for transfer to other state colleges and universities, the University of Minnesota,
and some private colleges and universities), not all two-year colleges offer degrees intended to transfer to a four-year bachelor's degree.
If you plan to transfer to obtain a four-year bachelor's degree, it is important to know which degree path is right for you:
- Associate of Arts (AA) degrees offered at community colleges are designed to transfer into liberal arts four-year majors.
- Associate of Science (AS) and Associate of Fine Arts (AFA) degrees offered at community and technical colleges transfer into specific four-year majors and will likely require completing additional general education courses at a university.
- Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degrees offered at technical and community colleges are not designed to transfer. They lead to immediate entry into the workplace.
- Diplomas and certificates offered at technical colleges are not designed to transfer. They lead to immediate entry into the workplace.
Talk to a transfer specialist as early as possible to determine the best associate degree for your goals. Be sure to review your Degree Audit Report (DARS) each semester to best prepare for transfer. Get more help understanding transfer using the tools below.
Helpful High School Courses
Examples of helpful classes that help you prepare for this career:
- Accounting
- Business English
- Business Law
- Computer Applications
- Economics
- Entrepreneurship
- International Business
- Marketing
- Public Speaking
- Social Media
In Minnesota, your school may have developed a Program of Study in this career area.
A Program of Study is an academic and career plan developed by your high school to help move you towards a career
and college path. A Program of Study can help you:
- Select high school classes that prepare you for college and getting a job
- Understand how the classes you're taking in high school lead to a career
- Identify extra-curricular activities that are related to your career interest
- See what classes at your school offer early college credit that will save you time and money towards your college expenses
- Graduate from high school prepared for your next step toward the career you choose
This page includes information from the O*NET 24.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Skills & Knowledge
Most Important Skills for Computer Operators
- Monitoring Performance—Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
- Monitoring Equipment—Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
- Reading—Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
- Thinking Critically—Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
- Teaching—Teaching others how to do something.
- Troubleshooting—Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
- Listening—Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Controlling Quality—Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
- Operating Equipment—Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
- Solving Complex Problems—Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Most Important Knowledge Areas for Computer Operators
- Customer and Personal Service—Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
- Computers and Electronics—Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
- Clerical—Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
- English Language—Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
- Education and Training—Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
- Mathematics—Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
- Telecommunications—Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
- Public Safety and Security—Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
- Administration and Management—Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
- Personnel and Human Resources—Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.
Interests
Different careers may be a good fit for your personality or interests. This career is:
- Conventional—Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
- Realistic—Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Learn more about your interests. Take the MnCareers Interest Assessment.
Describe Your Skills
People who have worked in this career typically perform the following tasks.
These statements can help a prospective employer understand what you can do, on a resume or during an interview.
- Using computers.
- Collecting information from different sources.
- Communicating with supervisors, co-workers, or people that work under you.
- Making decisions or solving problems.
- Monitoring information from a variety of sources to find problems.
- Identifying information by categorizing, comparing, or detecting changes in circumstances or events.
- Compiling, calculating, tabulating, or otherwise processing information.
- Keeping up-to-date with new knowledge.
Careers that Use Similar Skills
The following careers use skills, knowledge, and abilities that are similar to those used for Computer Operators.
View more careers in the Business, Management, and Administration cluster
View more careers in the Administrative Support pathway
This page includes information from the O*NET 24.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Please visit CareerOneStop to search Tools & Technology.
Jobs
Real-time job data provided by Gartner TalentNeuron
Job Title Examples
Computer Specialist,
Information Technology Specialist,
Operations and Maintenance Technician,
Software Technician
Where Do Computer Operators Work?
Computer Operators often work in the following industries.
Similar Careers
Below are careers that use skill sets that are similar to Computer Operators.
Source: You can learn about our data sources in the About Us section.
