Career Overview
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 Known As
- Network Specialist
- Network Technical Analyst
- Network Technician
- Systems Specialist
Alternate Job Titles
- Cloud Engineer
- Cloud Support Specialist
- Computer Network Analyst
- Computer Network Specialist
- Computer Network Support Specialist
- Computer Networker
- Computer Operations Technician
- Computer Systems Specialist
- Configuration Technician
- Controls Programmer
- Customer Engineer
- Customer Service Engineer
- Customer Support Engineer
- Cyber Defense Incident Responder
- Deployment Technician (Deployment Tech)
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- 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.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Computers and Electronics
- Telecommunications
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Critical Thinking
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Oral Comprehension
- Problem Sensitivity
- Deductive Reasoning
- Oral Expression
- Inductive Reasoning
- Written Comprehension
- Information Ordering
- Speech Recognition
- Near Vision
- Speech Clarity
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Attention to Detail
- Dependability
- Integrity
- Cautiousness
- Intellectual Curiosity
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Achievement
- Support
- Working Conditions
- Recognition
- Independence
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Bachelor's Degree
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years
On-the-Job Training: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
Education Details: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Experience Required: A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Adobe Acrobat
- Apache Tomcat
- Apple macOS
- Bash
- Border Gateway Protocol BGP
- Linux
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Active Directory
- Microsoft Azure software
- Microsoft Excel
Tools & Equipment
- Asynchronous transfer mode ATM analyzers
- Cable testers
- Caching engines
- Cisco Systems Cisco Application Visibility and Management AVM Traffic Collector
- Communications analyzers
- Continuity testers
- Copy machines
- Fabric analyzers
- Fibre channel protocol analyzers
- Laptop computers
- Laser facsimile machines
- Load balancers
- Mainframe computers
- Network address translation NAT appliances
- Personal computers
Work Environment
- Telephone Conversations
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Contact With Others
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $46,010 |
| Median | $73,340 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $124,470 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 146,450
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Computer Network Architects
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $130,390
Network and Computer Systems Administrators
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $96,800
Computer User Support Specialists
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $60,340
Computer Systems Engineers/Architects
Education: Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
Median Salary: $108,970
Information Security Engineers
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $108,970
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.