DETAILED OCCUPATION DATA

Monitor and control electronic computer and peripheral electronic data processing equipment to process business, scientific, engineering, and other data according to operating instructions. Monitor and respond to operating and error messages. May enter commands at a computer terminal and set controls on computer and peripheral devices. Excludes “Computer Occupations” (15-1100) and "Data Entry Keyers" (43-9021).

Occupational Employment Statistics(OES) Wage Data
Wages Updated to First Quarter, 2013

					Percentiles
Geography	Employment	Emp SE*	Mean	Mean SE*	10th	25th	Median	75th	90th
EDR 10 - Southeast	40	7	$18.81/hr	$0.96/hr	$12.57/hr	$14.60/hr	$18.85/hr	$22.07/hr	$26.37/hr
Minnesota	810	72	$20.47/hr	$0.47/hr	$13.50/hr	$16.23/hr	$20.09/hr	$24.26/hr	$28.35/hr
U S	71,560	1,431	$19.36/hr	$0.10/hr	$11.30/hr	$14.38/hr	$18.71/hr	$23.84/hr	$28.27/hr
*SE = Standard error, a measure of the statistical reliability of the estimate.

Leading Industries for Computer Operators Industry OES Employment OES Median Wage Financial Activities 30 $18.05/hr

Other Regional Data For Computer Operators Geography (click title for details) OES Projections Employment Median Wage % Change  -  EDR 11 - 7 County Twin Cities 590 $21.06/hr N/A EDR 10 - Southeast 40 $18.85/hr N/A EDR 3 - Arrowhead 40 $14.71/hr N/A EDR 7W- Central 30 $20.62/hr N/A EDR 8 - Southwest 20 $14.54/hr N/A EDR 4 - West Central 20 $17.88/hr N/A EDR 2 - Headwaters N/A N/A N/A

Related Occupations

Occupation (click title for details)	OES		Projections
	Employment	Median Wage	% Change  -
Medical Records and Health Information Technicians	430	$21.52/hr	N/A
Word Processors and Typists	80	$18.34/hr	N/A
Desktop Publishers	40	$17.96/hr	N/A

• Enters commands, using computer terminal, and activates controls on computer and peripheral equipment to integrate and operate equipment.
• Diagnoses reasons for equipment malfunction and enters commands to correct error or stoppage and resume operations.
• Records information, such as computer operating time and problems which occurred, such as down time, and actions taken.
• Clears equipment at end of operating run and reviews schedule to determine next assignment.
• Assists workers in classifying, cataloging, and maintaining tapes.
• Separates output, when needed, and sends data to specified users.
• Notifies supervisor of errors or equipment stoppage.
• Answers telephone calls to assist computer users encountering problems.
• Reads job set-up instructions to determine equipment to be used and order of use.
• Observes peripheral equipment operation and error messages displayed on terminal monitor to detect faulty output or machine stoppage.
• Enters commands to clear computer system and start operation, using keyboard of computer terminal.
• Loads peripheral equipment with selected materials for operating runs, or oversees loading of peripheral equipment by peripheral equipment operators.