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Telecommunications
AT&T, Verizon, Comcast
Computer Network Support Specialists
These specialists keep company networks usable, secure, and fast by tracing outages, checking performance data, and changing router or access settings. The work is hands-on but often invisible: you spend a lot of time fixing other people’s connectivity problems quickly, while balancing security with the need to keep people working.
Also known as Network Support TechnicianNetwork Support SpecialistNetwork Operations TechnicianIT Support SpecialistSystems Support Specialist
Median Salary
$73,340
Mean $79,610
U.S. Workforce
~146K
9.6K openings per year
10-Year Growth
+1.8%
152.7K to 155.5K
Entry Education
Associate's degree
+ None experience
What This Role Looks Like in Practice
Computer Network Support Specialists sits in the Technology category. In practical terms, this role combines day-to-day execution, cross-team coordination, and consistent decision-making under real business constraints.
U.S. employment is currently about ~146K workers, with a median annual pay of $73,340 and roughly 9.6K openings each year. Based on BLS projections, total employment is expected to grow from 152.7 K in 2024 to 155.5K in 2034.
Most hiring paths start with Bachelor's Degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field, and employers typically expect none of related experience. Many careers in this track begin around Help Desk Technician and can progress toward IT Infrastructure Manager. High-value skills usually include Cisco IOS, Routers & Switches, TCP/IP, DNS & Network Troubleshooting, and Windows Server, Active Directory & Permissions, paired with soft skills such as Critical Thinking, Active Listening, and Judgment and Decision Making.
Core Responsibilities
- Set up who can access shared network resources and adjust security settings when people change roles or leave the company.
- Watch network speed and traffic to spot slowdowns, outages, or signs that equipment is overloaded.
- Use troubleshooting tools and test equipment to figure out why a connection, router, or server is not working correctly.
- Check usage reports, storage space, and server health to see whether systems are running out of capacity.
Keep exploring: more Technology careers or browse all job titles.
A Day in the Life
01 Set up who can access shared network resources and adjust security settings when people change roles or leave the company.
02 Watch network speed and traffic to spot slowdowns, outages, or signs that equipment is overloaded.
03 Use troubleshooting tools and test equipment to figure out why a connection, router, or server is not working correctly.
04 Check usage reports, storage space, and server health to see whether systems are running out of capacity.
05 Back up important network data and make sure recovery copies are ready if something fails.
06 Update routers and other network gear, write down what changed, and record help desk issues and fixes.
Industries That Hire
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Healthcare
Kaiser Permanente, Mayo Clinic, HCA Healthcare
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Financial Services
JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo
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Managed IT Services
Accenture, IBM, CDW
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Retail and E-commerce
Walmart, Target, Amazon
Pros and Cons
Advantages
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The pay is solid for a support role, with a median annual wage of $73,340 and a mean of $79,610.
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You do not need years of experience to get started; BLS lists no work experience requirement and only moderate-term on-the-job training.
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The job is practical and problem-focused, so each day can involve real troubleshooting instead of repetitive clerical work.
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There are still plenty of openings, with about 9.6 thousand annual job openings projected.
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The role can lead into network administration, infrastructure, or cybersecurity work if you build the right hands-on skills.
Challenges
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Growth is slow: employment is projected to rise only 1.8% from 2024 to 2034, adding just 2.8 thousand jobs.
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A lot of the work is reactionary, meaning you are often fixing outages and user problems under time pressure rather than building new systems.
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The job can be tied to offices, wiring closets, and equipment rooms, so remote work is helpful but not guaranteed.
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Routine tasks like monitoring, backups, and ticket logging are easy to standardize, which can limit how much of the job stays interesting over time.
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Moving up often requires extra credentials or a broader IT background, because the role can hit a ceiling if you stay only in first-line support.
Career Progression
Help Desk Technician
0-2 years
$45K-$58K
You handle basic user problems, reset accounts, and pass along network issues that need deeper troubleshooting.
Computer Network Support Specialist
2-5 years
$62K-$86K
You diagnose network outages, adjust equipment settings, and keep connections stable for offices, branches, or remote users.
Senior Network Support Specialist THIS ROLE
5-8 years
$87K-$107K
You take on harder outages, lead fixes during incidents, and document standards for the rest of the support team.
Network Administrator
8-12 years
$108K-$132K
You manage larger parts of the network, plan upgrades, and make sure security, speed, and uptime stay balanced.
IT Infrastructure Manager
12+ years
$133K-$165K
You oversee teams, budgets, and long-term network planning instead of doing most of the hands-on troubleshooting yourself.
Education Paths
Bachelor's Degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field
The most common path in the O*NET distribution, held by 46.93% of workers in this role, even though BLS lists an associate's degree as the typical entry point.
Associate's Degree in Network Administration or Computer Support
A major pathway, held by 21.68% of workers, and it lines up with BLS’s typical entry-level education for this job.
Post-Secondary Certificate or Network Certification
A shorter technical route can also work; 10.16% of workers report a post-secondary certificate, and employers often value credentials like CompTIA Network+ or Cisco CCNA.
Key Skills
Technical
Cisco IOS, Routers & Switches 75%
TCP/IP, DNS & Network Troubleshooting 73%
Windows Server, Active Directory & Permissions 70%
Wireshark, Packet Capture & Network Monitoring 68%
VPNs, Firewalls & Access Control 66%
Ticketing Systems & Technical Documentation 62%
Soft Skills
Critical ThinkingActive ListeningJudgment and Decision MakingReading ComprehensionComplex Problem SolvingSpeaking Job Outlook and Trends
+1.8%
Projected growth (2024-2034)
9.6K
Annual job openings
Employment is projected to rise from 152.7K to 155.5 K over the next decade, representing 1.8% growth. Around 9.6 K openings per year include both newly created roles and replacement hiring from turnover.
Remote availability is currently Moderate. Demand remains strongest where employers need practical domain knowledge plus modern workflow and data skills.