Information Security Engineers vs Computer Network Support Specialists
Side-by-side · O*NET · BLS · AI-exposure research · Anthropic Economic Index
A factual, source-backed comparison of Information Security Engineers and Computer Network Support Specialists on the dimensions both occupations carry. Every figure is a position within an independent published dataset — not a verdict on which job is better, safer, or more “future-proof.”
At a glance
| Dimension | Information Security Engineers | Computer Network Support Specialists |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $108,970 | $73,340 |
| Employment | 439,380 | 146,450 |
| Employment outlook (2024–34) · BLS projection | Growing fast (+8.2%) | About average (+1.8%) |
| Annual openings · BLS projection | 31,300 | 9,600 |
| Typical education · O*NET | Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. | Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. |
| AI exposure · published exposure studies | High · 88th pct | High · 89th pct |
| Global GenAI gradient · ILO ISCO-08 · via crosswalk | — | — |
| Observed AI use · Anthropic Economic Index | — | — |
| Mostly remote-capable · Dingel–Neiman | — | — |
Pay and employment are BLS OEWS estimates; outlook and openings are BLS 2024–2034 projections; AI exposure and observed-use figures come from separate research and reflect exposure and usage, not predictions that either job will disappear. Compare like with like.
Skills
Shared: Computers and Electronics, Reading Comprehension, Oral Comprehension, Critical Thinking, Engineering and Technology, Written Comprehension, Oral Expression, Active Listening, Deductive Reasoning, Information Ordering, Speech Recognition, Writing, Monitoring, Problem Sensitivity, Inductive Reasoning, Near Vision, English Language, Speaking, Written Expression, Speech Clarity, Systems Analysis, Systems Evaluation, Telecommunications, Active Learning, Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making, Flexibility of Closure, Selective Attention, Operations Monitoring, Category Flexibility, Social Perceptiveness, Customer and Personal Service, Fluency of Ideas.
Specific to Information Security Engineers
- Quality Control Analysis
- Instructing
- Programming
- Perceptual Speed
- Coordination
- Design
- Learning Strategies
Specific to Computer Network Support Specialists
- Troubleshooting
- Administration and Management
- Time Management
- Finger Dexterity
- Communications and Media
- Education and Training
- Administrative
Knowledge, skills & abilities O*NET rates as important for each occupation. “Shared” are common to both; the columns list what is distinctive to each (top by the order O*NET surfaces).
Tools & technology
Shared: Data base user interface and query software , Operating system software , Configuration management software , Internet directory services software , Development environment software , Object or component oriented development software , Cloud-based management software , Project management software , Switch or router software , Data base management system software , Web platform development software , Spreadsheet software , Office suite software , Electronic mail software , Presentation software , Document management software .
Specific to Information Security Engineers
Specific to Computer Network Support Specialists
Full profiles
This page is a summary. See the complete source-backed profile for Information Security Engineers or Computer Network Support Specialists — tasks, the full skill graph, tools, work context, preparation, wages by percentile, industries, AI exposure and the AI work map.
More comparisons
Related occupations you can place side by side on the same sourced scale.
- Information Security Engineers vs Penetration Testers
- Information Security Engineers vs Information Security Analysts
- Information Security Engineers vs Security Management Specialists
- Information Security Engineers vs Network and Computer Systems Administrators
- Information Security Engineers vs Computer Systems Engineers/Architects
- Information Security Engineers vs Security Managers
- Information Security Engineers vs Computer Systems Analysts
- Information Security Engineers vs Computer Network Architects
Sources for this page
Every figure above traces to a named public dataset and the exact release below — not hand-written opinion. See the full methodology for what each measure does and does not mean.
- O*NET 30.3 U.S. Department of Labor / National Center for O*NET Development
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) May 2024 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Anthropic Economic Index v4 (2026-01-15) + v2 (2025-03-27) Anthropic
- Microsoft “Working with AI” working-with-ai Microsoft Research
- “GPTs are GPTs” (Eloundou et al.) arXiv 2303.10130 OpenAI / academic
Data compiled June 2, 2026. Figures are estimates, not advice.
Cite this page
Singulariki. "Information Security Engineers vs Computer Network Support Specialists." Singulariki: a source-backed encyclopedia of work. Built from O*NET 30.3; BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) May 2024; BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034; Anthropic Economic Index v4 (2026-01-15) + v2 (2025-03-27); Microsoft “Working with AI” working-with-ai; “GPTs are GPTs” (Eloundou et al.) arXiv 2303.10130. Accessed June 7, 2026. https://singulariki.com/compare/information-security-engineers-vs-computer-network-support-specialists
Singulariki. (2026). Information Security Engineers vs Computer Network Support Specialists. Singulariki: a source-backed encyclopedia of work. Retrieved June 7, 2026, from https://singulariki.com/compare/information-security-engineers-vs-computer-network-support-specialists
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title = {Information Security Engineers vs Computer Network Support Specialists},
author = {{Singulariki}},
year = {2026},
note = {O*NET 30.3; BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) May 2024; BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034; Anthropic Economic Index v4 (2026-01-15) + v2 (2025-03-27); Microsoft “Working with AI” working-with-ai; “GPTs are GPTs” (Eloundou et al.) arXiv 2303.10130. Accessed June 7, 2026},
url = {https://singulariki.com/compare/information-security-engineers-vs-computer-network-support-specialists}
} Citations name the underlying public dataset releases — they reflect what this page is built from, not just the URL.