Computer and Mathematical · Holland code CIR
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.
Also called: Network Specialist, Network Technical Analyst, Network Technician, Systems Specialist, Computer Network Specialist, IT Consultant (Information Technology Consultant), Network Support Specialist, Personal Computer Network Analyst.
O*NET 15-1231.00
At a glance
- US median annual pay
- $76,220
- Middle half earn $58,240 to $98,750. BLS OEWS, May 2025.
- Most common education
- Bachelor's Degree
- 47% of workers surveyed by O*NET report this level.
- Preparation needed
- Job Zone 4 of 5
- Considerable preparation. Zone 1 is little or none; zone 5 is graduate-level.
What the work involves
The tasks workers in this occupation rate as most important, from the O*NET survey.
- 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.
- Troubleshoot network or connectivity problems for users or user groups.
Skills and knowledge it leans on
Skills
- Critical Thinking3.8 / 5
- Active Listening3.5 / 5
- Reading Comprehension3.4 / 5
- Speaking3.3 / 5
- Active Learning3.3 / 5
- Monitoring3.3 / 5
Knowledge areas
- Computers and Electronics5.0 / 5
- Telecommunications3.8 / 5
- Customer and Personal Service3.5 / 5
- Engineering and Technology3.4 / 5
- English Language3.3 / 5
- Administration and Management3.1 / 5
Importance ratings on O*NET’s 1 to 5 scale. Higher means the occupation depends on it more.
Who tends to enjoy it
How strongly this occupation draws on each of the six Holland interest types, which is the same profile the career interests test compares you against.
- Realistic56
- Investigative60
- Artistic0
- Social21
- Enterprising27
- Conventional74
The same work abroad
Other countries classify jobs differently, so these are the closest matches through the international ISCO-08 standard, not exact equivalents.
European occupation titles (ESCO)
- telecommunications manager · DE Telekommunikationsmanager/Telekommunikationsmanagerin · FR responsable des télécommunications
- telecommunications engineer · DE Telekommunikationsingenieur/Telekommunikationsingenieurin · FR ingénieur de télécommunications/ingénieure de télécommunications
- telecommunications analyst · DE Telekommunikationsanalyst/Telekommunikationsanalystin · FR analyste des télécommunications
- ICT system administrator · DE IT-Systemadministrator/IT-Systemadministratorin · FR administrateur de systèmes informatiques/administratrice de systèmes informatiques
- ICT network administrator · DE IT-Netzwerk-Administrator/IT-Netzwerk-Administratorin · FR administrateur de réseau informatique/administratrice de réseau informatique
- ICT network architect · DE IT-Netzwerkarchitekt/IT-Netzwerkarchitektin · FR architecte de réseau
Closest UK occupation groups (SOC 2020)
- IT network professionals (2137)33,500 employed
- IT user support technicians (3132)135,000 employed
- Information technology directors (1137)197,000 employed
Employment is the UK Annual Population Survey for April 2025 to March 2026, all workers in the group, which can be broader than this one occupation.
Pay across Europe, for the whole group
Median annual earnings of all employees in “Professionals”. This is the broad ISCO group this occupation falls in, not the occupation itself, so treat it as context for the wage level, not as a salary for this job.
| Country | Median pay |
|---|---|
| Belgium | €61,714 |
| Germany | €59,529 |
| Ireland | €56,877 |
| Austria | €55,374 |
| Netherlands | €53,595 |
| Sweden | €43,567 |
| France | €41,515 |
| Spain | €35,735 |
| Italy | €33,649 |
| Portugal | €26,072 |
| Poland | €14,380 |
Eurostat Structure of Earnings Survey, businesses with ten or more employees outside public administration, in euro and not adjusted for the cost of living. Reference years differ between sources: the US, Japan and Europe figures on this page come from different survey years, so compare them as rough levels, not to the euro or yen.
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