Career comparison
Computer Repair Technician vs. Network Technician
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Network technicians earn more at the median ($76,220 vs. $47,810), while computer repair technicians usually get to work faster (3–12 months of training). Computer repair technicians fix computers, printers, ATMs and other office technology. Network technicians install, monitor and troubleshoot the networks that connect computers and people.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Computer Repair Technician | Network Technician | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $47,810 ($22.99/hr) | $76,220 ($36.64/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $35,910 – $71,730 | $47,120 – $127,780 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | -3.0% (a projected decline) | +1.2% (slower than average) |
| Openings per year | 6,100 | 9,000 |
| Typical entry education | Some college, no degree | Associate's degree |
| Training time | 3–12 months | 6 months–2 years |
| Key credential | CompTIA A+ | CompTIA Network+ |
| Work setting | Technicians work in repair shops, retail stores, corporate IT departments and at customer sites. | Technicians work in offices, data centers, wiring closets and network operations centers. |
What each job does
Computer Repair Technician
- Diagnose hardware and software problems
- Replace failed components
- Remove malware and reinstall systems
- Recover and transfer data
- Service printers, copiers and POS systems
Network Technician
- Install and configure network equipment
- Monitor network performance and alerts
- Troubleshoot connectivity problems
- Install and test network cabling
- Maintain network documentation
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work, problem-solving, and indoor work. Both are part of the technology field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose computer repair technician if…
- I like taking things apart and fixing them
- I enjoy troubleshooting
- I’m patient with customers
Choose network technician if…
- I like figuring out why things aren’t working
- I enjoy hands-on tech work
- I can stay calm during outages
Still torn? Take the Computer Repair Technician fit quiz and the Network Technician fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, computer repair technician or network technician?
Network Technicians earn more at the median: $76,220 versus $47,810 for computer repair technicians, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Computer Repair Technicians typically train faster (3–12 months) than network technicians (6 months–2 years).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects network technicians to grow +1.2% from 2025–35, compared with -3.0% for computer repair technicians.