# Computer Network Support Specialists

> 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.

- **SOC code:** 15-1231.00
- **Canonical URL:** https://singulariki.com/roles/role-15-1231-00
- **Also known as:** Network Specialist, Network Technical Analyst, Network Technician, Systems Specialist, Computer Network Specialist, IT Consultant (Information Technology Consultant), Network Support Specialist, Personal Computer Network Analyst
- **Frame:** "AI exposure" means task overlap (how codifiable the work is), not jobs lost or a forecast. Every figure below is traced to a named public dataset.

## What this work is

**Core tasks** (O*NET):
- 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.
- Evaluate local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN) performance data to ensure sufficient availability or speed, to identify network problems, or for disaster recovery purposes.
- Troubleshoot network or connectivity problems for users or user groups.
- Provide telephone support related to networking or connectivity issues.
- Analyze network data to determine network usage, disk space availability, or server function.
- Perform routine maintenance or standard repairs to networking components or equipment.

## Skills, tools, capabilities

**Knowledge, skills & abilities** (O*NET, highest importance first):
- Computers and Electronics _(knowledge)_
- Oral Comprehension _(ability)_
- Problem Sensitivity _(ability)_
- Deductive Reasoning _(ability)_
- Telecommunications _(knowledge)_
- Critical Thinking _(essential_skill)_
- Oral Expression _(ability)_
- Inductive Reasoning _(ability)_
- Written Comprehension _(ability)_
- Active Listening _(essential_skill)_
- Information Ordering _(ability)_
- Customer and Personal Service _(knowledge)_

**Skills in demand:**
- Deductive Reasoning _(Common Skill)_
- Telecommunications _(Specialized Skill)_
- Inductive Reasoning _(Common Skill)_
- Critical Thinking _(Common Skill)_
- ServiceNow _(Specialized Skill)_
- Microsoft Windows _(Common Skill)_
- Microsoft Outlook _(Common Skill)_
- Microsoft Excel _(Common Skill)_
- Linux _(Specialized Skill)_
- Information Ordering _(Specialized Skill)_
- Active Listening _(Common Skill)_
- Speech Recognition _(Specialized Skill)_

**Tools & technology:**
- Apple macOS _(hot technology, in demand)_
- Linux _(hot technology, in demand)_
- Microsoft Active Directory _(hot technology, in demand)_
- Microsoft Excel _(hot technology, in demand)_
- Microsoft Office software _(hot technology, in demand)_
- Microsoft Outlook _(hot technology, in demand)_
- Microsoft Windows _(hot technology, in demand)_
- Microsoft Windows Server _(hot technology, in demand)_
- ServiceNow _(hot technology, in demand)_
- Adobe Acrobat _(hot technology)_
- Apache Tomcat _(hot technology)_
- Bash _(hot technology)_

## AI exposure & outlook

- **AI task-overlap index:** 80th percentile (High) across all occupations — composite of current-era exposure studies (ai-exposure-index-v1).
- **LLM task exposure, γ (OpenAI / Eloundou):** 66th percentile (Moderate) — source: eloundou_gamma.
- **AI assistant applicability (Microsoft):** 89th percentile (High) — source: microsoft_applicability.
- **Projected employment (BLS 2024–34):** 1.8% growth (About average); 9.6k annual openings; 152.7k → 155.5k jobs.
- **Pay & employment (BLS OEWS, May 2024):** median $73,340; 146,450 employed.

## Sources

- **O*NET** (30.3) — U.S. Department of Labor / National Center for O*NET Development. https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html
- **BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)** (May 2024) — U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- **BLS Employment Projections** (2024–2034) — U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- **Anthropic Economic Index** (v4 (2026-01-15) + v2 (2025-03-27)) — Anthropic. https://www.anthropic.com/economic-index
- **Microsoft “Working with AI”** (working-with-ai) — Microsoft Research. https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/research/
- **“GPTs are GPTs” (Eloundou et al.)** (arXiv 2303.10130) — OpenAI / academic. https://arxiv.org/abs/2303.10130

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_Generated from Singulariki's joined dataset; data snapshot 2026-06-02T21:00:32.945303+00:00. https://singulariki.com/roles/role-15-1231-00_