Find a Job You Really Want In
Yes, office equipment supplies services is an excellent career path. Offices aren’t going anywhere in the near future, which means that there will be people needed to install, maintain, and supply equipment for them.
There are several different types of jobs you can get in this field. This includes being in charge of the operation of equipment (such as printers), installing it, or maintaining it. Administrative duties are also going to be important, as office admins are expected to help to keep the office running smoothly and keep it stocked with office supplies.
All of these tasks are important and unlikely to be replaced by machines. You’ll always need something to maintain the equipment, and with the way technology is advancing, those jobs will likely become more and more specialized.
Here are 12 great jobs in office equipment supplies services:
9 of the Best Paying Jobs in Office Equipment Supplies Services
Working in an office environment may not be exciting, but it’s comfortable and offers job security. If you work with the office equipment in a small office, you could end up with your own little fiefdom, which will give you more freedom and build your expertise.
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Information Technology Specialist
Average Annual Salary: $95,000
The majority of office equipment these days is either computers or connected to computers. Information technology is necessary to keep all of that up and running, as well as make sure it’s secure.
Information technology has a lot of possibilities for advancement as well as being applicable to almost all industries, which makes it a versatile career path.
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Security Systems Sales Representative
Average Annual Salary: N/A
The majority of offices and office buildings have a security system. As a security system sales representative, your job is to find people who are likely to purchase a security system and convince them to buy it. You’ll need to build a rapport with your customers as well as tailor the price and plan to their needs.
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Outside Sales Representative
Average Annual Salary: N/A
An outside sales representative is expected to go to clients to broker deals. That means that you’re expected to be confident and outgoing, as well as knowledgeable about what you’re selling. You have to be willing to travel and spend a lot of time on the road rather than in an office.
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Average Annual Salary: $40,000
A copier technician is an expert in printers and copiers. The majority of their duties are to make sure that the copiers and printers in the office are running properly. They’re responsible for any repairs, cleaning, and maintenance.
It requires expertise in office equipment, as well as not being intimidated by having to disassemble and clean a printer and replacing parts.
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Average Annual Salary: $51,000
Not every office has a server farm, but those that do need a data center technician. Someone in this role is responsible for maintaining and repairing the servers. This includes keeping them from overheating, replacing parts as needed, as well as keeping them clean and up to date.
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Central Office Equipment Installer
Average Annual Salary: $64,000
Equipment installers do exactly what it sounds like: they’re responsible for installing, setting up, and testing equipment to make sure it works properly. In this particular role, you’d work at the central office, which means you’d have a lot of experience working with and installing equipment.
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Average Annual Salary: $68,000
While not directly related to office equipment, space planners are responsible for the best use of space. So they help decide where different equipment should go, as well as how much room it needs to function properly.
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Average Annual Salary: $54,000
Buyers are usually employed in manufacturing settings, as they are responsible for getting the goods, supplies, and equipment needed on a regular basis. However, they’re not restricted to that, and if office supplies are centralized at a large company, then a buyer would be necessary to sort through what to purchase and how often.
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Office Manager
Average Annual Salary: N/A
While this career isn’t directly related to office equipment or supplies, office managers are in charge of the office. That means that equipment and supplies are part of their job description.
Depending on the size of the office, the office manager may also be expected to make sure that the office stays stocked and that the equipment is working properly. Compensation for this job is going to depend heavily on the size of the office and the amount of experience the office manager has.
The majority of these jobs are going to require some experience in another job in order to get. Due to the nature of the industry, these jobs aren’t as high-paying as some other sectors. However, they’re comfortable and secure positions.
9 Entry-Level Jobs in Office Equipment Supplies Services
Most of these jobs don’t require a higher level of education. Several you can get with a high school diploma, and for others, an associate’s degree is recommended. Most of these are excellent jobs in their own right, but they also offer an opportunity for advancement or the ability to build experience with an eye on upward mobility.
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Retail Clerk
Average Annual Salary: N/A
Several retail stores sell office supplies. Staples or Office Depot are the obvious choices if you want to specialize in it, but other retailers such as Target, Walmart, and even Best Buy sell office equipment and supplies.
There’s nothing wrong with a career in retail, but working at a specialized retailer like Staples can get you experience as you look to get a job that requires a more specialized skill set.
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Assembler
Average Annual Salary: N/A
Assemblers do exactly what it sounds like – they assemble items. In terms of office equipment, this can range from putting together furniture to unpacking and assembling a large printer or copier.
You need to be able to read and follow written instructions, as well as be familiar with basic tools and have an idea of what the finished product should look like.
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Average Annual Salary: $31,000
This is a skilled position that requires knowledge of printers and standard printing practices. Depending on where you’re employed, you may also be trained in binding and laminating equipment. A lot of printer operators may also print on media other than paper, such as plastic or textiles.
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Average Annual Salary: $37,000
Someone in this role is assigned to manage a network of computers. A computer operator’s duties include keeping the computer’s software up to date and secure, along with making sure that the hardware is still working properly.
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Average Annual Salary: $34,000
Printer technicians are printer experts. Their main task isn’t to operate the printers, unlike a printer operator, but they do install, maintain, and set up network connectivity as applicable. You have to be familiar with printers – it can help if you focus on a particular brand – as well as versed in troubleshooting.
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Security Systems Installer
Average Annual Salary: N/A
This is the person responsible for setting up a security system in a home or business. Security systems installers are familiar with the system they work with, as well as know how to connect it to the appropriate networks and customize it to the clients’ needs.
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Average Annual Salary: $40,000
A computer technician is responsible for installing, configuring, and maintaining the computers in a company or office. They have to be familiar with computers, software, and security in order to keep the system up to date and running properly.
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Average Annual Salary: $31,000
An office assistant is responsible for basic administrative tasks. This includes filing and storing paperwork and documents, scheduling meetings and appointments, and making sure the office is supplied with what it needs.
Many of them also answer the phone and handle customer and client inquiries. It requires strong organizational skills as well as good communication.
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Average Annual Salary: $42,000
As opposed to running individual computers or printers, system technicians are responsible for the overarching system. This is both hardware and software. It involves being able to troubleshoot, run diagnostics, and do maintenance.
It requires being familiar with computers, being able to think on your feet, and being good with your hands.
Some of the above jobs are going to want some experience in something similar, but most of them are good ways to break into the industry. With the right education and interest in the job, you should be able to get your foot in the door.
Why Choose a Career in Office Equipment Supplies Services?
The majority of office equipment is technology. This means that if you want to work in this industry, you have to be comfortable with different types of technological equipment. There are several attributes that would be favorable for a career in office equipment supplies services.
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Being organized is easy for you. Working in an office environment requires organizational skills. This is true whether you’re doing administrative tasks or working to keep computers up to date. You have to know what you’ve done and still have to do and where to find what you need.
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You like working with other people. The majority of these jobs require either working with the public or being in regular communication with others in the office or company. If you work in maintenance, you have to be able to respond to complaints and requests, all while figuring out what the problem is.
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You’re technologically inclined. Almost all of these jobs require working with technology – particularly computers. That means it’s a huge help if you’re interested in technology and comfortable with it.
There is, of course, the variation depending on what job in the industry you choose. However, if the above traits describe you, then you should look into getting a job in this sector.
Education and Certification Requirements for a Career in Office Equipment Supplies Services
Many of the jobs listed in this article don’t require a four-year college degree. An associate’s degree can be a requirement or extremely helpful. However, if you’re looking to get a bachelor’s – or have one – here are some that are a good fit.
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Information Technology. This is a good overall degree if you’re looking to work in IT or setting up technology.
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Computer Science. For most of these jobs, a bachelor’s in computer science would be more than you need. An associate’s or certificate would help get your foot in the door.
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Business Administration. This helps teach you how to run a business.
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Secretarial and Administrative Science. Most of the degrees of this nature are associate’s, but it is possible to get a bachelor’s at the right school. This will teach you how to fulfill clerical and secretarial duties, as well as learn about administration.
There are numerous certifications you can get.
For information technology:
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Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
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CompTIA A+ Technician
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Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
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CompTIA Network+
For administration:
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IAAP Certified Administrative Professional (CAP)
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NCCB Administrative Assistant Certification (CAA)
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ASAP Administrative Certification of Excellence
There are, of course, many more kinds of certifications. It’s best to try to get one that fits in with your area of interest and your career path.
What Do People Working In Office Equipment Supplies Services Do?
People who work in office equipment supplies services install, maintain, and operate office equipment, as well as make sure that the supplies they need are kept stocked. Offices need equipment in order to run properly and efficiently, and that means that they need people to install, set up, run, and maintain that equipment.
Due to the nature of technological advances, it’s likely that offices are going to become more and more technologically advanced, which means that they’ll require more and more support. So expertise in the operation and maintenance of office equipment is likely to get more complex and specialized.
Supplies are also an important part of keeping offices running smoothly, whether that be stationary, writing utensils, printer paper, or ink and toner. How well the office is stocked and organized is going to depend on the dedication and competence of the people who work in Office Equipment Supplies Services.
Despite a push to have more employees work from home, offices are still prevalent. That trend is getting some pushback too, so it’s very unlikely they’ll disappear anytime soon. And if there are offices, you need office equipment and supplies, as well as people to organize and maintain it.
Author
Di has been a writer for more than half her life. Most of her writing so far has been fiction, and she’s gotten short stories published in online magazines Kzine and Silver Blade, as well as a flash fiction piece in the Bookends review. Di graduated from Mary Baldwin College (now University) with a degree in Psychology and Sociology.
