AI exposure by occupation, O*NET 15-1231.00
Will AI replace Computer Network Support Specialists?
Computer Network Support Specialists: AI can already handle 2 of 26 tasks; the work mostly needs a frontier-tier model.
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Every task, scored
The 26 tasks O*NET 30.3 lists for Computer Network Support Specialists, from most to least exposed. 2 reach 60 or more, the level at which AI already handles a task.
| Task | AI exposure | Evidence | Model tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Troubleshoot network or connectivity problems for users or user groups. | Observed | Frontier | |
| 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. | Estimated | Standard | |
| Back up network data. | Estimated | Standard | |
| Identify the causes of networking problems, using diagnostic testing software and equipment. | Estimated | Standard | |
| Document network support activities. | Estimated | Efficient | |
| Configure wide area network (WAN) or local area network (LAN) routers or related equipment. | Estimated | Frontier | |
| Provide telephone support related to networking or connectivity issues. | Estimated | Frontier | |
| Analyze network data to determine network usage, disk space availability, or server function. | Estimated | Frontier | |
| Test computer software or hardware, using standard diagnostic testing equipment and procedures. | Estimated | Standard | |
| Monitor industry Web sites or publications for information about patches, releases, viruses, or potential problem identification. | Estimated | Standard | |
| Document help desk requests and resolutions. | Estimated | Standard | |
| Research hardware or software products to meet technical networking or security needs. | Estimated | Efficient | |
| Run monthly network reports. | Estimated | Efficient | |
| Configure security settings or access permissions for groups or individuals. | Observed | Standard | |
| Analyze and report computer network security breaches or attempted breaches. | Observed | Standard | |
| Configure and define parameters for installation or testing of local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), hubs, routers, switches, controllers, multiplexers, or related networking equipment. | Observed | Frontier | |
| Install new hardware or software systems or components, ensuring integration with existing network systems. | Observed | Standard | |
| Create or revise user instructions, procedures, or manuals. | Observed | Efficient | |
| Train users in procedures related to network applications software or related systems. | Estimated | Standard | |
| Install network software, including security or firewall software. | Estimated | Standard | |
| Perform routine maintenance or standard repairs to networking components or equipment. | Estimated | Efficient | |
| Install or repair network cables, including fiber optic cables. | Estimated | Efficient | |
| Create or update technical documentation for network installations or changes to existing installations. | Estimated | Efficient | |
| Test repaired items to ensure proper operation. | Estimated | Efficient | |
| Install and configure wireless networking equipment. | Estimated | Efficient | |
| Maintain logs of network activity. | Estimated | Efficient |
Observed: scored from AI use recorded in the Anthropic Economic Index (June 2026 release), 6 of 26 tasks. Estimated: scored from the task's O*NET 30.3 work activity, 20 of 26. Importance is O*NET's 1 to 5 rating of how central the task is. Model tier is the lowest tier that can do the task under the published rubric; "No tier" marks hands-on work.
The model tier this role needs
A frontier-tier model or lower covers 100% of the role's importance-weighted task work. 100% of the work is something AI can address at some tier.
Efficient, standard and frontier tiers come from the JobRoute model tier reference. The recommended tier is the lowest one that covers 80% of the work AI can address. How the method works.
Wages, employment and outlook
- US employment
- 146,190
- Median annual wage
- $76,220
- Middle half of earners
- $58,240 to $98,750
- Projected change, 2024 to 2034
- +1.8%
Employment and wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, national. Projection: BLS Employment Projections 2024 to 2034.
Adjacent roles
The occupations that reuse the most of this role's skills, with the usual time to move. These are the first places to look when you plan to redeploy or retrain people in this role.
- Computer User Support Specialists 77% skill overlap, about 8 months to move Exposure47
- Computer Network Architects 74% skill overlap, about 9 months to move Exposure49
- Network and Computer Systems Administrators 74% skill overlap, about 9 months to move Exposure44
- Computer Systems Analysts 67% skill overlap, about 12 months to move Exposure67
- Computer Systems Engineers/Architects 67% skill overlap, about 12 months to move Exposure58
Skill overlap and transition time from the JobRoute role adjacency graph on O*NET 30.3 skills.
Questions about Computer Network Support Specialists and AI
Will AI replace Computer Network Support Specialists?
AI already handles 2 of the 26 tasks O*NET lists for this occupation, at a task exposure of 60 or more, and the role's importance-weighted exposure is 43 out of 100. JobRoute scores tasks, not whole jobs, so the score shows how much of the work changes rather than whether the job disappears. BLS projects employment to change by +1.8% from 2024 to 2034.
What is the AI exposure of Computer Network Support Specialists?
43 out of 100 on JobRoute's task exposure measure, the importance-weighted average of the role's O*NET task scores. Higher means more of the work is AI-doable today. 6 of the 26 task scores are observed in the Anthropic Economic Index (June 2026 release), and the other 20 are estimated from each task's O*NET work activity.
Which Computer Network Support Specialists tasks can AI already do?
The tasks with the highest exposure are: Troubleshoot network or connectivity problems for users or user groups; 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. They are the tasks that reach 60 or more.
What AI model tier does this role need?
A frontier-tier model or lower covers 100% of the role's importance-weighted task work. JobRoute assigns each task the lowest tier that can do it under a published rubric and recommends the lowest tier that covers 80% of the work AI can address.
How many people work as Computer Network Support Specialists, and what do they earn?
146,190 people in the United States, with a median annual wage of $76,220 (BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025). BLS Employment Projections expect a change of +1.8% from 2024 to 2034.
How to cite
Data version 2026-11-02, JobRoute method v1.0.0. Download all occupations or this occupation as JSON. Methodology.
JobRoute (2026). AI exposure: Computer Network Support Specialists. Data version 2026-11-02, method v1.0.0. Built on O*NET 30.3, BLS OEWS May 2025 and the Anthropic Economic Index (June 2026). CC BY 4.0. https://www.jobroute.ai/jobs/computer-network-support-specialists
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