Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Associate's degree
None
Moderate-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
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Computer network support specialists focus on helping organizations maintain and troubleshoot their computer networks. With national employment of 153,000 and projected growth of 1.8%, this role offers a stable path for people interested in working with technology and solving practical problems. The national median annual salary of $73,340 reflects solid earning potential, with higher pay available in certain states and metro areas. Typical entry into this field is through an associate’s degree, making it accessible to students and career changers who want a technical role without a four-year degree. Strong skills in computers and information technology, problem solving, communication, and attention to detail are important for success. For those exploring related paths, similar occupations include computer user support specialists, information security analysts, private detectives and investigators, computer occupations (all other), and broadcast technicians. Overall, this career blends technical work with communication and analytical skills in a setting that supports modern digital operations.
Computer network support specialists earn a national median annual salary of $73,340, with opportunities for higher pay depending on location. Among the top states, Washington shows a median salary of $101,750, followed by Massachusetts at $88,650, Colorado at $82,750, California at $79,190, and New York at $77,540. At the metro level, pay can be even higher. The San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA area reports a median salary of $124,130, while San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA shows $101,600. The New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro has a median of $86,930, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV offers $92,400, and Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH reports $88,950. These figures highlight a broad range of earning potential, with some metro areas and states offering markedly higher median salaries than the national median for this occupation.
Computer network support specialists have national employment of 153,000, indicating an established occupation with a significant presence in the labor market. Projected employment growth of 1.8% suggests incremental expansion rather than rapid change. With 10,000 annual openings, there is a continuous flow of opportunities that may come from new positions, retirements, and other job turnover. The same 1.8% growth rate appears across the top states and metro areas listed, indicating consistent projections in these regions. For individuals considering this career, the combination of existing employment, ongoing annual openings, and modest projected growth points to a field where opportunities are regularly available. People evaluating long-term prospects can factor in both the national employment base and the volume of openings when planning education, training, or geographic moves related to this role.
Location makes a meaningful difference for computer network support specialists in both pay and opportunity scores. At the state level, California holds the highest opportunity score at 67.38, with a median salary of $79,190 and employment of 13,620. Massachusetts and New York follow closely with opportunity scores of 65.87 and 65.78 and median salaries of $88,650 and $77,540, respectively. Colorado and Washington also stand out, with Washington offering the highest listed state median salary of $101,750. All of these top states share a projected growth rate of 1.8%. At the metro level, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA has the highest opportunity score (77.42) and the highest median salary ($124,130). The New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro also scores highly at 77.27, with employment of 6,330. Other strong metros include San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA; Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV; and Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH. These figures show that certain metros combine high salaries with strong opportunity scores.
The typical education for computer network support specialists is an associate’s degree, which can make this career appealing to those seeking a technical path without completing a four-year program. This level of education supports the development of core capabilities in computers and information technology, which are central to the role. Beyond formal education, several skills are especially important. Problem solving and decision making, critical and analytical thinking, and being detail oriented help specialists diagnose and address issues effectively. Speaking and listening, along with writing and reading, support clear communication with colleagues and documentation of work. Adaptability and creativity and innovation can help when dealing with changing systems or unusual problems, while project management skills can assist with coordinating tasks and timelines. Mechanical skills also play a role, reflecting the practical, hands-on aspects that can be part of this occupation’s work environment.
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