Computer Repair Invoice Template
A computer repair invoice is a bill used by part-time, freelance, and professional computer technicians (or support specialists) to charge their customers for the services provided. Computer technicians and support specialists can be formally trained in a university setting, through a vocational school or personal experience. They are employed in both the private and public sectors and can be found in almost every industry.
What does a Computer Technician Do?
Computer technicians (also called “IT Technicians”) maintain and repair hardware and software systems. Computers are wide-ranging and exceptionally complex – oftentimes, a computer technician will focus on a certain field, topic, operating system, or program to master the ins and outs to ensure satisfied customers or employers. Common tasks and jobs completed by computer technicians include:
- Troubleshooting, installing, and downloading software
- Adding and repairing hardware components
- Ensuring servers and employee computers are malware and virus-free
- Protecting data and backing-up systems as necessary
- Providing technical support at a moment’s notice to employees and customers
How to Become a Computer Technician
There is no singular path to becoming a computer technician, especially when considering the vastly different fields, specializations, and methods of providing service (employed, freelancing, part-time, etc.). The options below can provide those interested in the career field off to a strong start but shouldn’t be considered as the only ways of entering the field:
- Self-teaching – In most cases, those contemplating a career in computer repair already have an interest in learning about computers and technology. If someone is only looking to repair as a freelancer, hobbyist, or a part-time gig, this may be the only training required.
- Formal Education – Associates degrees in Information Technology can make an entrance into entry-level computer repair, and IT jobs considerably easier and serve as a strong starting point for those looking to further their knowledge and credibility by earning certifications in their desired field.
- Internships – Both official and non-official internships can provide IT hopefuls with the experience required to get started in the industry. This especially applies if the individual that is shadowed is employed by a reputable company that routinely hires computer technicians.
Computer Repair Certifications
- CompTIA (Computing Technology Industry Association) – The CompTIA is the industry standard in certifications, and offers a wide range of certifications for those repairing and working on computers and servers. The certifications are offered in series – the starting point being the CORE series. The standard intermediate certification for IT repair professionals is the CompTIA A+, which is described below:
- Topics: Identifying and explaining computer components, installing software, establishing network connectivity, and preventing security risks.
- Number of Questions: Seventy-five (75)
- Type of Questions: Multiple Choice
- Test Length: Sixty (60) Minutes
- Minimum Passing Score: 650 out of 900 (~ 72%)
- Cost: $190
- CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate Exam) – A highly sought-after certification that demonstrates knowledge in installing, configuring, and troubleshooting both switched and routed networks.
- Topics: Network fundamentals, LAN switching technologies, IPv4 and IPv6 routing technologies, WAN technologies, infrastructure services, security, and management.
- Number of Questions: Sixty (60) to seventy (70)
- Type of Questions: Several testing formats (Drag-and-drop, multiple-choice, simulations, fill-in-the-blank, etc.)
- Test Length: Ninety (90) Minutes
- Minimum Passing Score: 75%
- Cost: $325
Computer Technician Salary & Hourly Rate ($/hr)
Salary: $37,175/yr (source: Glassdoor) Hourly Rate: $16.83/hr (source: Payscale)