What Does it Take to Be a Computer Network Support Specialist?
Computer Network Support Specialist Definition Analyze, test, troubleshoot, and evaluate existing network systems, such as local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), and Internet systems or a segment of a network system. Perform network maintenance to ensure networks operate correctly with minimal interruption.
Computer Network Support Specialist Responsibilities
- Install new hardware or software systems or components, ensuring integration with existing network systems.
- Maintain logs of network activity.
- Provide telephone support related to networking or connectivity issues.
- Monitor industry websites or publications for information about patches, releases, viruses, or potential problem identification.
- Document help desk requests and resolutions.
- Create or update technical documentation for network installations or changes to existing installations.
Computer Network Support Specialist Skills
Computer Network Support Specialists state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
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.
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.
Related Job Titles
- Network Operations Analyst
- IT Manager (Information Technology Manager)
- Operations Analyst
- Cyber Defense Incident Responder
- WAN Support Specialist (Wide Area Network Support Specialist)
Job Outlook for Computer Network Support Specialists
In the United States, there were 198,800 jobs for Computer Network Support Specialist in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 8.2% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 16,400 new jobs for Computer Network Support Specialist by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 16,500 job openings in this field each year.
The states with the most job growth for Computer Network Support Specialist are Utah, Nevada, and Washington. Watch out if you plan on working in Kansas, Alaska, or Idaho. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Computer Network Support Specialist Average Salary
The typical yearly salary for Computer Network Support Specialists is somewhere between $38,270 and $105,770.
Computer Network Support Specialists who work in District of Columbia, New Jersey, or Connecticut, make the highest salaries.
How much do Computer Network Support Specialists make in different U.S. states?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $59,060 |
Alaska | $59,990 |
Arizona | $60,550 |
Arkansas | $46,170 |
California | $75,640 |
Colorado | $73,950 |
Connecticut | $79,880 |
Delaware | $60,840 |
District of Columbia | $88,700 |
Florida | $61,040 |
Georgia | $70,820 |
Hawaii | $61,260 |
Idaho | $50,020 |
Illinois | $65,830 |
Indiana | $60,770 |
Iowa | $55,690 |
Kansas | $50,690 |
Kentucky | $57,890 |
Louisiana | $55,650 |
Maine | $63,800 |
Maryland | $73,360 |
Massachusetts | $84,230 |
Michigan | $60,470 |
Minnesota | $62,130 |
Mississippi | $66,110 |
Missouri | $55,910 |
Montana | $53,930 |
Nebraska | $55,890 |
Nevada | $58,380 |
New Hampshire | $68,210 |
New Jersey | $84,890 |
New Mexico | $59,190 |
New York | $79,200 |
North Carolina | $65,160 |
North Dakota | $64,640 |
Ohio | $60,900 |
Oklahoma | $63,080 |
Oregon | $59,720 |
Pennsylvania | $64,700 |
Rhode Island | $56,400 |
South Carolina | $54,530 |
South Dakota | $48,080 |
Tennessee | $59,170 |
Texas | $73,440 |
Utah | $60,330 |
Vermont | $51,570 |
Virginia | $73,050 |
Washington | $81,270 |
West Virginia | $56,550 |
Wisconsin | $68,760 |
Wyoming | $60,290 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Computer Network Support Specialists
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Computer Network Support Specialists may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Python
- Microsoft Access
- MySQL
- Data entry software
- Microsoft Windows
- Microsoft Project
- Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Microsoft Dynamics
- Linux
- IBM Notes
- Ruby
- Microsoft Visual Basic
- Microsoft SQL Server
- UNIX
- Practical extraction and reporting language Perl
How to Become a Computer Network Support Specialist
What kind of Computer Network Support Specialist requirements are there?
What work experience do I need to become a Computer Network Support Specialist?
Where Computer Network Support Specialists Are Employed
The table below shows the approximate number of Computer Network Support Specialists employed by various industries.
References:
Image Credit: Negative Space via CC0 License
More about our data sources and methodologies.