Computer Network Support Specialists
Information TechnologyO*NET 15-1231.00United States
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.
- Median annual earnings
- $76,163
- Projected change
- +6%
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Employment
- 152.79K jobs
50th percentile, United States
2025 to 2035
48.8% of the workforce
Growing to 161.94K by 2035
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The work
What computer network support specialists do
Tasks reported for this occupation, ordered by how often they come up in the role.
- 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.
- Install network software, including security or firewall software.
- Analyze network data to determine network usage, disk space availability, or server function.
- Evaluate local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN) performance data to ensure sufficient availability or speed, to identify network problems, or for disaster recovery purposes.
- Troubleshoot network or connectivity problems for users or user groups.
- Provide telephone support related to networking or connectivity issues.
- Perform routine maintenance or standard repairs to networking components or equipment.
- Configure and define parameters for installation or testing of local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), hubs, routers, switches, controllers, multiplexers, or related networking equipment.
- Install new hardware or software systems or components, ensuring integration with existing network systems.
- Install or repair network cables, including fiber optic cables.
- Test computer software or hardware, using standard diagnostic testing equipment and procedures.
- Monitor industry Web sites or publications for information about patches, releases, viruses, or potential problem identification.
- Create or update technical documentation for network installations or changes to existing installations.
- Train users in procedures related to network applications software or related systems.
- Test repaired items to ensure proper operation.
- Install and configure wireless networking equipment.
- Document help desk requests and resolutions.
- Maintain logs of network activity.
- Research hardware or software products to meet technical networking or security needs.
- Create or revise user instructions, procedures, or manuals.
- Run monthly network reports.
Pay and outlook
What the job pays and where it is heading
Annual earnings range
Reported earnings by percentile, United States
- 10th percentile
- $46,557
- 25th percentile
- $57,817
- 50th percentile
- $76,163
- 75th percentile
- $99,680
- 90th percentile
- $131,861
The gold marker shows the median. Half earn more than $76,163 and half earn less.
Employment outlook
2025 to 2035 projection
+6%average or slower
2025152,785 jobs
2035 projected161,944 jobs
9,159 more positions over the decade, before replacement hiring.
Preparation
Education levels
What people currently working in the career hold. These are not entry requirements.
- Bachelor's degree
- 48.8%
- Associate degree
- 21.7%
- Some college
- 13.6%
- Certificate
- 10.2%
- High school diploma or less
- 4.2%
- Master's or Professional degree
- 1.5%
Skills
Skills employers ask for
Technical skills appearing most often in job postings for this occupation.
How the work gets done
Core competencies
Broad capabilities associated with strong performance in this occupation.
- Critical Thinking
- Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
- Active Listening
- Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Reading Comprehension
- Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
- Monitoring
- Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
- Speaking
- Talking to others to convey information effectively.
- Active Learning
- Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
- Complex Problem Solving
- Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
- Systems Analysis
- Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
- Troubleshooting
- Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
- Writing
- Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
- Systems Evaluation
- Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
- Operations Monitoring
- Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
- Time Management
- Managing one's own time and the time of others.
- Quality Control Analysis
- Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
- Repairing
- Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
- Social Perceptiveness
- Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
- Installation
- Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or programs to meet specifications.
- Coordination
- Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
- Instructing
- Teaching others how to do something.
In the market
Job titles and employers
Recent job postings in United StatesCommon job titles
- 01Network Technicians913 postings
- 02IT Technicians853 postings
- 03Technicians546 postings
- 04Operations Technicians403 postings
- 05Field Technicians343 postings
- 06NOC Technicians286 postings
- 07Deployment Technicians285 postings
- 08Support Technicians262 postings
- 09Test Center Administrators253 postings
- 10Network Support Technicians231 postings
- 11Systems Technicians199 postings
- 12Technical Support Technicians150 postings
- 13Technology Support Technicians142 postings
- 14Technology Support Specialists141 postings
- 15Embedded Engineers131 postings
- 16Technology Technicians127 postings
- 17Network Operations Center Technicians122 postings
- 18Installation Technicians120 postings
- 19Lead Network Technicians115 postings
- 20Technical Support Managers107 postings
Top employers
- 01TEKsystems632 postings
- 02Lumen Technologies329 postings
- 03Amazon311 postings
- 04Prometric233 postings
- 05Insight Global227 postings
- 06Securitas149 postings
- 07CompuCom138 postings
- 08Robert Half112 postings
- 09Leidos106 postings
- 10HCL Technologies84 postings
- 11Mobile Technologies76 postings
- 12Allegis Group72 postings
- 13Collabera54 postings
- 14GovCIO54 postings
- 15Inserso Corporation52 postings
- 16Intermountain Health51 postings
- 17ManpowerGroup51 postings
- 18E-Solutions Group49 postings
- 19AT&T42 postings
- 20ManTech42 postings
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