State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
Computer Network Support Specialist Salary (2026): Data, Outlook & How to Become One
Computer Network Support Specialists earn a median of $76,220 per year ($36.64/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to grow 1.8% through 2034, with about 9,600 openings a year (BLS EP, 2024–2034). Typical entry-level education: Associate's degree.
SOC 15-1231Computer and MathematicalLast updated August 15, 2026
- Median pay
- $76,220
- Projected growth
- +1.8%
- Openings a year
- 9,600
- Typical education
- Associate's
BLS OEWS, May 2025
BLS EP, 2024–2034
BLS EP, 2024–2034
BLS EP, 2024–2034
Also advertised as: Computer Network Specialist, IT Consultant (Information Technology Consultant), Network Specialist, Network Support Specialist, Network Technical Analyst, Network Technician.
How much do Computer Network Support Specialists make?
10th percentile$47,120
Entry / lowest-paid tenth
25th percentile$58,240
Lower quartile
Median (50th)$76,220
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile$98,750
Upper quartile
90th percentile$127,780
Top-paid tenth
| Median annual wage | $76,220 |
|---|---|
| Median hourly wage | $36.64/hr |
| Mean annual wage | $81,870 |
| People employed | 146,190 |
Versus all US occupations
At $76,220, Computer Network Support Specialists earn 50% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $25,240 a year.
Versus computer and mathematical occupations
Inside the Computer and Mathematical group, where the middle occupation pays $116,580, this is 35% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $127,780 or more while the bottom 10% earn $47,120, a gap of 2.7×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 61% of the 923 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
Washington pays the most at $101,750, and still leads at $95,082 once local prices are taken into account.
Which states pay Computer Network Support Specialists the most?
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $101,750 | $95,082 | 3,300 |
| Maryland | $96,680 | $92,112 | 8,200 |
| District of Columbia | $91,370 | $83,138 | 450 |
| Massachusetts | $88,650 | $83,824 | 1,980 |
| New Jersey | $87,440 | $80,364 | 3,370 |
| Alaska | $86,110 | $84,125 | 300 |
| Nevada | $85,790 | $85,808 | 2,460 |
| Hawaii | $83,620 | $76,052 | 350 |
| Rhode Island | $82,970 | $81,120 | 620 |
| Colorado | $82,750 | $80,299 | 4,530 |
Is Computer Network Support Specialist a growing career?
Computer Network Support Specialists1.8%
All US occupations3.1%
+1.8% projected growth vs 3.1% for all occupations.
Slower than average
BLS projects employment of Computer Network Support Specialists to change 1.8% over 2024–2034, against 3.1% projected for all occupations. That is 2,800 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 9,600 openings are projected each year, 6.3% of the 152,700 jobs that existed in 2024. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Overall employment of computer support specialists is projected to grow 3 percent from 2024 to 2034, decline.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Projected employment of computer support specialists varies by occupation. (See table.)
Employment growth of computer network support specialists is expected to be constrained because some businesses, especially smaller organizations with minimal information technology (IT) requirements, may find it more cost effective to contract with outside firms for these services rather than to employ computer network support specialists. Some of these workers also may be replaced by computer network architects because of a computer industry shift towards workers with broader skillsets that include design skills. However, the importance of strong network and other IT infrastructure will support some demand for computer network support specialists.
How to become a Computer Network Support Specialist
Entry requirements vary for computer support specialists. Network support specialists typically need an associate’s degree, and user support specialists typically need to complete some college courses. However, candidates for either type of position may qualify with a high school diploma plus relevant information technology (IT) certifications.
| Typical entry-level education | Associate's degree |
|---|---|
| Preparation needed (O*NET job zone) | Medium preparation |
| Work experience in a related occupation | None |
| Typical on-the-job training | Moderate-term on-the-job training |
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as computer network support specialists.
- Bachelor's Degree46.9%
- Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)21.7%
- Some College Courses13.6%
- Post-Secondary Certificate10.2%
- High School Diploma4.2%
What does a Computer Network Support Specialist do?
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.
Computer support specialists assist computer users and organizations. These specialists either maintain computer networks or provide technical help directly to computer users.
Day-to-day tasks
- Analyze network data to determine network usage, disk space availability, or server function.
- Install new hardware or software systems or components, ensuring integration with existing network systems.
- Configure security settings or access permissions for groups or individuals.
- Create or revise user instructions, procedures, or manuals.
- 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.
- Document network support activities.
- Troubleshoot network or connectivity problems for users or user groups.
- Perform routine maintenance or standard repairs to networking components or equipment.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Where computer network support specialists work
| Computer systems design and related services | 19% |
|---|---|
| Educational services; state, local, and private | 13% |
| Telecommunications | 8% |
| Government, excluding state and local education and hospitals | 8% |
| Finance and insurance | 6% |
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2024–2034 edition.
Core skills
- Critical Thinking3.8/5
- Active Listening3.5/5
- Reading Comprehension3.4/5
- Speaking3.3/5
- Active Learning3.3/5
- Monitoring3.3/5
- Writing3.0/5
- Learning Strategies2.6/5
Transferable skills
- Judgment and Decision Making3.4/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.3/5
- Troubleshooting3.1/5
- Systems Analysis3.1/5
- Operations Monitoring3.0/5
- Systems Evaluation3.0/5
- Time Management3.0/5
- Social Perceptiveness2.9/5
Tools and software
- Cloud-based management software · in demand
- Data base management system software · in demand
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Development environment software · in demand
- Document management software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Internet directory services software · in demand
- Object or component oriented development software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Operating system software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Project management software · in demand
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
What personality type suits a Computer Network Support Specialist?
Interest profile: O*NET Occupational Interests, scored 1–7
Realisticprimary4.4
Investigativeprimary4.6
Artistic1.0
Social2.3
Enterprising2.6
Conventionalprimary5.5
Day to day this is work built around organising, following procedures and working precisely with data, combined with investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data.
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Computer Network Support Specialist: frequently asked questions
How much do Computer Network Support Specialists make?
Computer Network Support Specialists earn a median of $76,220 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). That is 50% above the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $36.64/hr. The middle half earn between $58,240 and $98,750. The top 10% earn $127,780 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Computer Network Support Specialist?
Usually a two-year degree rather than a four-year one. BLS lists an associate's degree as the typical entry-level education for Computer Network Support Specialists. BLS also lists moderate-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 46.9% hold bachelor's degree.
Is Computer Network Support Specialist a growing career?
It is growing, but slowly: 1.8% over 2024–2034 against 3.1% for all occupations (BLS EP, 2024–2034). BLS still projects about 9,600 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Computer Network Support Specialist do?
Computer support specialists assist computer users and organizations. A core O*NET task: analyze network data to determine network usage, disk space availability, or server function. Employers most often ask for Cloud-based management software, Data base management system software, Data base user interface and query software.
Which states pay Computer Network Support Specialists the most?
The highest state medians for Computer Network Support Specialists are Washington ($101,750), Maryland ($96,680), District of Columbia ($91,370) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Computer Network Support Specialist?
O*NET scores Computer Network Support Specialists highest on the Conventional, Investigative and Realistic interest areas, so the work mixes organising, following procedures and working precisely with data with investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 923 occupations in the bank.