Computer network support specialists
Analyze, test, troubleshoot, and evaluate existing network systems, such as local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), cloud networks, servers, and other data communications networks. Perform network maintenance to ensure networks operate correctly with minimal interruption.
BLS SOC 15-1231 · O*NET-SOC 15-1231.00 · BLS 2025–2035 · O*NET 31.0
Median annual wage, 2025
$76,220
Projected change, 2025–2035
1.2%
2025–2035 annual average openings
9,000
AI exposure
Very high
Editorial analysis
AI can trace the symptoms. Someone still has to find the real network problem.
Network support specialists troubleshoot environments filled with logs, device configurations, alerts, tickets, and performance data. AI is well suited to bringing those pieces together and proposing likely causes for an outage or slowdown.
Troubleshooting starts faster
Instead of manually checking five dashboards, a specialist may receive a summary showing that packet loss began shortly after a configuration change and is concentrated at one site. That is useful, but it is still a hypothesis that needs confirmation.
- Log analysis and alert correlation can become heavily automated.
- Routine configuration and documentation tasks can be generated.
- AI assistants may guide less-experienced staff through common problems.
- Complex outages, physical-layer problems, security incidents, and multi-vendor environments still reward deep networking knowledge.
Entry-level network support may become more demanding as AI handles basic troubleshooting. Specialists who deepen their skills in cloud networking, security, automation, wireless systems, and architecture can move toward the problems automation has the most difficulty resolving.
Labor-market picture
Two measures, different questions
These measures offer two different ways to understand the occupation: BLS projections show how national employment may change over time, while relative AI exposure highlights where tasks may intersect with AI-related capabilities. Read them with the work profile and your local context to decide what deserves closer investigation.
Employment
- Employment, 2025
- 152,500 jobs
- Projected employment, 2035
- 154,400 jobs
- Projected change, 2025–2035
- 1,900 jobs (1.2%)
Relative AI exposure
BLS category: Very high. This is a relative task-exposure classification, not a forecast of employment change, automation, wages, or worker replacement.
Relative AI exposure · Very high
Work profile
Representative tasks
These task statements come from O*NET 31.0. They are source facts, not labels assigned by the AI exposure measure.
- Back up network data.
- Configure security settings or access permissions for groups or individuals.
- Analyze and report computer network security breaches or attempted breaches.
- Identify the causes of networking problems, using diagnostic testing software and equipment.
- Document network support activities.
- Configure wide area network (WAN) or local area network (LAN) routers or related equipment.
Skills that matter
Skills in the source profile
Importance uses O*NET's 1–5 scale. Level uses its 0–7 scale. Select a skill to see its source definition and reported values.
Technology and tools
These technology records come from O*NET and show software or tools reported in the occupation profile. They describe work context, not a required checklist for every employer.
- Document management software
- Transaction security and virus protection software
- Web platform development software
- Operating system software
- Configuration management software
- Network monitoring software
- Project management software
- Enterprise application integration software
Preparation
- Typical entry education
- Associate's degree
- Related experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
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Source provenance
Labor-market and exposure facts: bls-ep-2025-35. Work profile: onet-31.0. Verify release details on the Sources page.