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Alabama Department of Labor

Labor Market Information Division
SOC: 43-9011 Computer Operators
Monitor and control electronic computer and peripheral electronic data processing equipment to process business, scientific, engineering, and other data according to operating instructions. May enter commands at a computer terminal and set controls on computer and peripheral devices. Monitor and respond to operating and error messages. Exclude "Data Entry Keyers" (43-9021).
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Education: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
OJT: Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Tasks: Enter commands, using computer terminal, and activate controls on computer and peripheral equipment to integrate and operate equipment. Monitor the system for equipment failure or errors in performance. Respond to program error messages by finding and correcting problems or terminating the program. Notify supervisor or computer maintenance technicians of equipment malfunctions. Answer telephone calls to assist computer users encountering problems. Record information such as computer operating time, problems that occurred, and actions taken. Operate spreadsheet programs and other types of software to load and manipulate data and to produce reports. Help programmers and systems analysts test and debug new programs. Retrieve, separate and sort program output as needed, and send data to specified users. Oversee the operation of computer hardware systems, including coordinating and scheduling the use of computer terminals and networks to ensure efficient use. Read job set-up instructions to determine equipment to be used, order of use, material such as disks and paper to be loaded, and control settings. Load peripheral equipment with selected materials for operating runs, or oversee loading of peripheral equipment by peripheral equipment operators. Supervise and train peripheral equipment operators and computer operator trainees.
License: License not required.
Outlook: poor
Alabama Employment Outlook
Alabama Wage Data
Hourly Wage   Annual Wage
Entry $12.17   Entry $25,329.00
Mean $20.16   Mean $41,928.00
Experience $24.15 Experience $50,223.00

The data is based on the May 2017 Occupation Employment Survey employment and wage estimate file. The wages have been aged using the most current ECI factors reflecting wages as of June 2018.

Alabama Projections
Estimated Employment 2016Projected Employment 2026Annual Average OpeningsAnnual Growth Rate
76057050-2.83
Related Occupations: Postsecondary Institutions With Programs:
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Police Identification and Records Officers
No postsecondary schools reported programs.
Occupational Videos
43-9011.00 Computer Operators