How to become a computer system and equipment installer or servicer
Official title: Computer system and equipment installers and servicers
Also called: Computer engineer, Computer repairer, Computer service engineer, Computer systems installer, Computer maintenance fitter, Computer service technician, Computer maintenance engineer, It engineer, Field engineer, Service engineer, Customer engineer, Hardware engineer
IT engineers install, maintain and repair the physical components of computer systems and equipment.
Main tasks
- Installs, tests and maintains computer-related hardware (processors, memory chips, circuit boards, displays, sensors, data storage devices, printers, etc.) according to given specifications
- Diagnoses hardware related faults
- Repairs or replaces defective components
- Advises on and installs operating soft/firm ware and may carry out upgrades
- Maintains documentation to track and log work in progress and completed
How to become one
Entry is possible with a variety of academic qualifications and/or relevant experience. Entrants typically possess GCSEs/S grades and A levels/H grades, BTEC/SQA awards or a degree. Training is usually provided on-the-job supplemented by specialised courses. Postgraduate and professional qualifications, and NVQs/SVQs at levels 2 and 3 are available.
Ways in
- Apprenticeship (England): Digital engineering technician (level 3). England. Typically 36 months. Skills England standard ST0266.
Pay · Outlook
- Median full-time pay: £34,237 a year The middle half earn £26,189 to null.
- About 52,700 people work in this job now, and about 49,800 are projected by 2035. (-5.6%)
Related jobs
- Electricians and electrical fitters
- Telecoms and related network installers and repairers
- Tv, video and audio servicers and repairers
- Security system installers and repairers
- Electrical service and maintenance mechanics and repairers
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Questions people ask
How do I become a computer system and equipment installer or servicer?
Entry is possible with a variety of academic qualifications and/or relevant experience. Entrants typically possess GCSEs/S grades and A levels/H grades, BTEC/SQA awards or a degree. Training is usually provided on-the-job supplemented by specialised courses. Postgraduate and professional qualifications, and NVQs/SVQs at levels 2 and 3 are available.
How much does a computer system and equipment installer or servicer earn in the UK?
Median full-time pay is £34,237 a year (Office for National Statistics).
Is a computer system and equipment installer or servicer a growing career in the UK?
Employment is projected to fall 6% by 2035, from about 52,700 to about 49,800 people (Department for Education).
Do you need a degree to become a computer system and equipment installer or servicer?
Not always. 51% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Digital engineering technician (level 3).
Sources
- Office for National Statistics: Annual Population Survey: employment by occupation (April 2025 to March 2026), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Office for National Statistics: SOC 2020 Volume 1: structure and descriptions (2026-08-27 edition), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Department for Education: Skills Imperative 2035: employment projections by occupation (2021 to 2035 (Warwick IER / Cambridge Econometrics)), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Office for National Statistics: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, Table 14 (2025 provisional), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03