JOB REPORT / 15-1231 · 26 TASKS

Computer Network Support Specialists.

Can AI do the work of Computer Network Support Specialists?

Mostly it works alongside you. Here is what shifts, task by task.

YOUR EXPERIENCE MATTERS

How does this fit your work?

How many tasks do you use AI to assist with at work?

Drag the dot. There’s no wrong answer; it starts at our estimate.

Starting pointOur estimate

The mark shows what’s typical for this job.

The parts of your job AI can already do most of:

Monitor industry Web sites or publications for information about…
Document help desk requests and resolutions
Create or update technical documentation for network installations…

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A guided certificate program in AI-assisted Computer Network Support Specialists work. It covers the 24 AI-affected parts of your job and ends in a capstone a person reviews.

WHAT WE LOOKED AT

Your job, task by task.

24 of 26 tasks reviewed

This job has 26 core tasks. We went through 24 of them, one at a time.

Task by task, from the work Computer Network Support Specialists actually do. How we describe AI use in each task is our own read of it, not a measurement of whether AI can replace the job.

TASK 01
Monitor industry Web sites or publications for information about patches, releases, viruses, or potential problem identification.
AI DOES
Scans feeds, summarizes patches and threat alerts, and flags urgent items
YOU DO
Judge which alerts actually matter for your specific systems and act on them
TASK 02
Document help desk requests and resolutions.
AI DOES
Drafts ticket summaries, suggests resolution categories, and auto-fills common fields
YOU DO
Verify technical details and catch unusual edge cases a template would miss
TASK 03
Create or update technical documentation for network installations or changes to existing installations.
AI DOES
Drafts templates, suggests standard language, and formats technical documentation
YOU DO
Verify every real-world network detail and catch anything AI gets wrong
TASK 04
Document network support activities.
AI DOES
Drafts incident reports, summarizes logs, and auto-fills standard fields
YOU DO
Verify accuracy of technical details and add context only you witnessed
TASK 05
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.
AI DOES
Scans logs, spots anomalies, and surfaces performance trends automatically
YOU DO
Decide what problems matter most and how to respond given your network's real-world context
TASK 06
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.
AI DOES
Generates config templates, suggests parameter settings, and flags common mistakes in network setup scripts
YOU DO
Verify every setting against your real network layout and own the decision before pushing changes to live equipment
TASK 07
Maintain logs of network activity.
AI DOES
Automatically collects, formats, and stores network activity logs
YOU DO
Decide which log patterns signal real problems worth acting on
TASK 08
Run monthly network reports.
AI DOES
Gathers network data, finds trends, and drafts report text automatically
YOU DO
Review findings and decide which issues need real action
TASK 09
Identify the causes of networking problems, using diagnostic testing software and equipment.
AI DOES
Scans log files, spots error patterns, and suggests likely causes
YOU DO
Run the physical tests and judge what the data really means on-site
TASK 10
Provide telephone support related to networking or connectivity issues.
AI DOES
Suggests troubleshooting steps, pulls up documentation, and drafts ticket summaries
YOU DO
Listen closely, adjust your approach based on what the customer actually says, and solve unusual problems
TASK 11
Train users in procedures related to network applications software or related systems.
AI DOES
Builds training guides, quizzes, and step-by-step walkthroughs for network software
YOU DO
Read learner confusion and adapt explanations in the moment
TASK 12
Configure wide area network (WAN) or local area network (LAN) routers or related equipment.
AI DOES
Generates configuration scripts, checks syntax errors, and suggests best-practice settings
YOU DO
Physically access hardware, verify live network conditions, and own the final config decision
TASK 13
Install new hardware or software systems or components, ensuring integration with existing network systems.
AI DOES
Suggests config scripts, checks compatibility, and generates step-by-step install guides
YOU DO
Physically connect hardware, test live systems, and adapt when things go wrong on-site
TASK 14
Test computer software or hardware, using standard diagnostic testing equipment and procedures.
AI DOES
Suggests test procedures, reads diagnostic logs, and flags error patterns
YOU DO
Connect cables, swap hardware, and run physical diagnostic tools in person
TASK 15
Test repaired items to ensure proper operation.
AI DOES
Runs diagnostic scripts, logs test results, and spots error patterns automatically
YOU DO
Physically connect equipment and decide if real-world performance is good enough
TASK 16
Install network software, including security or firewall software.
AI DOES
Generates install scripts, suggests firewall rules, and flags config errors
YOU DO
Verify the live network environment and own the security decisions
TASK 17
Install and configure wireless networking equipment.
AI DOES
Suggests optimal placement, generates config scripts, and checks settings for errors
YOU DO
Show up on-site, handle the hardware, and adapt to the real physical space
TASK 18SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Create or revise user instructions, procedures, or manuals.
AI DOES
Drafts clear procedures from rough notes
YOU DO
Test with real users and refine
About this analysis
48% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 19SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Troubleshoot network or connectivity problems for users or user groups.
AI DOES
Runs diagnostics and suggests common fixes
YOU DO
Read user frustration and adapt solutions
About this analysis
43% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 20SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Configure security settings or access permissions for groups or individuals.
AI DOES
Suggests permission templates and flags risky settings
YOU DO
Decide who really needs what access
About this analysis
34% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 21SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Analyze network data to determine network usage, disk space availability, or server function.
AI DOES
Processes logs and generates usage reports automatically
YOU DO
Interpret patterns and decide next steps
About this analysis
34% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 22SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Analyze and report computer network security breaches or attempted breaches.
AI DOES
Detects anomalies and flags potential security threats
YOU DO
Investigate context and decide response priorities
About this analysis
31% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 23SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Research hardware or software products to meet technical networking or security needs.
AI DOES
Compiles product specs and comparison charts
YOU DO
Judge fit for your specific environment
About this analysis
18% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 24SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Back up network data.
AI DOES
Monitors backup status and flags potential issues
YOU DO
Design the backup strategy and troubleshoot failures
About this analysis
0% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium

START LEARNING AI

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There are 24 short lessons for this job, about 15 minutes each. Each one starts from a task above and teaches the part that stays with you.

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AT A GLANCE

Occupation: Computer Network Support Specialists
SOC code: 15-1231
Tasks reviewed: 24 of 26

How we assess

PAY & OUTLOOK

Compare pay by state

Median pay (national): $76,220 · BLS OEWS 2025
Median pay (Colorado): $82,750 · BLS OEWS 2025
Employed (national): 146,190
Employed in Colorado: 4,530
Job outlook: +1.8% by 2034 · ~9,600 openings/yr

Wages from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. National figures cover the United States. Job outlook is national.

How does this fit your work?

Earn a certificate in your job

Your job, task by task.

Monitor industry Web sites or publications for information about patches, releases, viruses, or potential problem identification.

Document help desk requests and resolutions.

Create or update technical documentation for network installations or changes to existing installations.

Document network support activities.

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.

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.

Maintain logs of network activity.

Run monthly network reports.

Identify the causes of networking problems, using diagnostic testing software and equipment.

Provide telephone support related to networking or connectivity issues.

Train users in procedures related to network applications software or related systems.

Configure wide area network (WAN) or local area network (LAN) routers or related equipment.

Install new hardware or software systems or components, ensuring integration with existing network systems.

Test computer software or hardware, using standard diagnostic testing equipment and procedures.

Test repaired items to ensure proper operation.

Install network software, including security or firewall software.

Install and configure wireless networking equipment.

Create or revise user instructions, procedures, or manuals.

Troubleshoot network or connectivity problems for users or user groups.

Configure security settings or access permissions for groups or individuals.

Analyze network data to determine network usage, disk space availability, or server function.

Analyze and report computer network security breaches or attempted breaches.

Research hardware or software products to meet technical networking or security needs.

Back up network data.

Practice AI.Use your judgment.

Practice AI.
Use your judgment.