Computer Network Support Specialists
Overview
Computer Network Support Specialists has a national median salary of $76,220 per year, with +1.2% projected job growth from 2025–2035. The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists an associate's degree as the typical education needed to enter this occupation.
Description
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.
Work Values
- Achievement
- Support
- Working Conditions
Work Styles
Responsibilities
Tasks
- 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.
Work Activities
- Working with Computers
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Getting Information
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Analyzing Data or Information
- Processing Information
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
Detailed Work Activities
- Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
- Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
- Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
- Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
- Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
- Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
T-A-S-K
Technology, Abilities, Skills & Knowledge
Technology Skills
- Operating system software
- Presentation software
- Network monitoring software
- Transaction security and virus protection software
- Network security or virtual private network VPN management software
Abilities
- Deductive Reasoning
- Oral Comprehension
- Problem Sensitivity
- Inductive Reasoning
- Oral Expression
Skills
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Learning
Knowledge
- Computers and Electronics
- Telecommunications
- Customer and Personal Service
- Engineering and Technology
- English Language
Education
Education Levels of Current Workers
The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists an associate's degree as the typical education needed to enter this occupation. The chart below shows the highest level of education held by people already working in this field, ages 25 and older. It includes workers who earned more education than the job requires and workers who entered the field under earlier requirements, so the largest bar is not the entry requirement. For example, if someone finished a bachelor's degree and then started working in this field, they are counted under “Bachelor's degree” here, but the job itself typically asks for an associate's degree.
Certificates
Certifications applicable to Computer Network Support Specialists:
| Certificate name | Certifying Organization | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Apple Certified Support Professional (ACSP) | Apple Computer, Inc. | D |
| Aruba Certified ClearPass Expert (ACCX) | Hewlett Packard Certification and Learning | D |
| Associate Cloud Engineer (ACE) | Google Inc. | D |
| Associate in Information Technology (AIT) | The Institutes | D |
| Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) | Microsoft Corporation | D |
| CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure Certification (CCIE) | Cisco Systems, Inc. | D |
| CCIE Service Provider (CCIE) | Cisco Systems, Inc. | D |
| CCNP Service Provider Certification | Cisco Systems, Inc. | D |
Income & Employability
Income Percentile
The median (50th percentile) is the middle wage; 10% earn less than the low figure and 10% earn more than the high figure.
| Low (10%) | $47,120 |
| Median (50%) | $76,220 |
| High (90%) | $127,780 |
Income by Experience
How pay typically grows from entry level (0–2 yrs) to expert (8+ yrs).
| Entry (0–2 yrs) | $62,429 |
| Mid (3–5 yrs) | $74,987 |
| Senior (6–8 yrs) | $88,217 |
| Expert (8+ yrs) | $128,045 |
Employability
There are currently 152,500 jobs in this career path (2025). That number is projected to grow to 154,400 by 2035, a +1.2% change.
+1.2% growthVideo Resources
Training Programs
25 programs at 6 schools on Career School App prepare students for a career as Computer Network Support Specialists, including Networking & System Administration (25). Showing 24.
- Cisco Certified Network AssociateABCO Technology · Los Angeles, CADiploma · 4 weeks
- Computer and Network TechnicianAsher College · Las Vegas, NVCertificate · 44 weeks
- Networking AdministrationCBT Technology Institute · Miami, FLAssociate Degree · 24 months
- Network Systems AdministrationCharlotte Technical College · Port Charlotte, FLCertificate · 1,050 clock hours — about 32 weeks
- Network Support ServicesEmerald Coast Technical College · DeFuniak Springs, FLCertificate · 1,050 clock hours (approximately 36 weeks)
- Network Support ServicesRidge Technical College · Winter Haven, FLCertificate · 1,050 clock hours
- Cisco Certified Network AssociateABCO Technology · Los Angeles, CADiploma · 4 weeks
- Computer and Network TechnicianAsher College · Dallas, TXCertificate · 44 weeks
- Networking AdministrationCBT Technology Institute · Miami, FLAssociate Degree · 24 months; 68 semester credits
- Linux+ABCO Technology · Los Angeles, CADiploma · 8 weeks
- Computer and Network TechnicianAsher College · Sacramento, CACertificate · 44 weeks
- Networking AdministrationCBT Technology Institute · Miami, FLAssociate Degree · 24 months; 68 semester credits
- Linux+ABCO Technology · Los Angeles, CADiploma · 8 weeks
- Computer Network TechnologyAsher College · Dallas, TXAssociate Degree · 71 weeks
- Microsoft Certified Systems EngineerABCO Technology · Los Angeles, CADiploma · 20 weeks
- Computer Network TechnologyAsher College · Las Vegas, NVAssociate Degree · 71 weeks
- Microsoft Certified Systems EngineerABCO Technology · Los Angeles, CADiploma · 20 weeks
- Computer Network TechnologyAsher College · Sacramento, CAAssociate Degree · 71 weeks
- Computer Network TechnologyAsher College · Sacramento, CAAssociate Degree · 71 weeks
- Network and Computer SystemsAsher College · Las Vegas, NVAssociate Degree · 76 weeks
- Network and Computer SystemsAsher College · Sacramento, CAAssociate Degree · 76 weeks
- Network and Computer SystemsAsher College · Dallas, TXAssociate Degree · 76 weeks
- Network and Computer Systems AdministrationAsher College · Dallas, TXCertificate · 49 weeks
- Network and Computer Systems AdministrationAsher College · Sacramento, CACertificate · 49 weeks
Related Careers
This site incorporates information from O*NET Web Services by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). O*NET® is a registered trademark of USDOL/ETA. Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Certification, licence and career video information is sourced from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (DOLETA) and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).
Wage, employment and outlook figures are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) and the Employment Projections program. Figures describe the occupation, not any particular program or graduate.
Career cluster definitions are from Advance CTE.
Pay-by-experience bands are from Lightcast (as recent as July 2025).