JOB REPORT / 15-1244 · 20 TASKS

Network and Computer Systems Administrators.

Can AI do the work of Network and Computer Systems Administrators?

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?

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Starting pointOur estimate

The mark shows what’s typical for this job.

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

Monitor network performance to determine whether adjustments are needed…
Operate master consoles to monitor the performance of computer…
Perform routine network startup and shutdown procedures, and maintain…

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A guided certificate program in AI-assisted Network and Computer Systems Administrators work. It covers the 20 AI-affected parts of your job and ends in a capstone a person reviews.

WHAT WE LOOKED AT

Your job, task by task.

20 of 20 tasks reviewed

We went through all 20 core tasks in this job, one at a time.

Task by task, from the work Network and Computer Systems Administrators 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 network performance to determine whether adjustments are needed and where changes will be needed in the future.
AI DOES
Watches traffic patterns, spots anomalies, and predicts future bottlenecks using historical data
YOU DO
Weigh business priorities and approve changes that affect real systems
TASK 02
Operate master consoles to monitor the performance of computer systems and networks and to coordinate computer network access and use.
AI DOES
Monitors logs, detects anomalies, and sends alerts in real time
YOU DO
Decide how to respond, prioritize fixes, and coordinate access with real users
TASK 03
Perform routine network startup and shutdown procedures, and maintain control records.
AI DOES
Runs automated startup/shutdown scripts, logs events, and flags anomalies in control records
YOU DO
Verify physical system states and approve any changes to critical infrastructure
TASK 04
Maintain logs related to network functions, as well as maintenance and repair records.
AI DOES
Automatically collects, formats, and summarizes log data from network systems
YOU DO
Review logs for unusual patterns and decide which issues need action
TASK 05
Maintain an inventory of parts for emergency repairs.
AI DOES
Tracks stock levels, sends reorder alerts, and organizes parts lists in spreadsheets or tools
YOU DO
Walk the storage room and judge which parts are truly ready for real emergencies
TASK 06
Train people in computer system use.
AI DOES
Drafts tutorials, quizzes, and step-by-step guides for any system
YOU DO
Watch learners struggle and adapt your teaching in the moment
TASK 07
Gather data pertaining to customer needs, and use the information to identify, predict, interpret, and evaluate system and network requirements.
AI DOES
Scans usage logs, spots trends, and summarizes network performance data
YOU DO
Talk to customers directly and weigh their real business needs against technical options
TASK 08
Configure, monitor, and maintain email applications or virus protection software.
AI DOES
Drafts configuration scripts, flags suspicious log entries, and suggests security rule updates
YOU DO
Verify every change fits your actual network environment and risk tolerance
TASK 09
Maintain and administer computer networks and related computing environments, including computer hardware, systems software, applications software, and all configurations.
AI DOES
Drafts config scripts, scans logs for anomalies, suggests troubleshooting steps, and documents network setups
YOU DO
Apply site-specific knowledge, handle physical hardware, and make judgment calls when systems behave unexpectedly
TASK 10
Coordinate with vendors and with company personnel to facilitate purchases.
AI DOES
Drafts vendor emails, summarizes quotes, and tracks purchase requests
YOU DO
Build vendor relationships and navigate internal approvals
TASK 11
Implement and provide technical support for voice services and equipment, such as private branch exchange, voice mail system, and telecom system.
AI DOES
Generates config guides, troubleshooting checklists, and vendor documentation summaries
YOU DO
Physically install equipment, test live systems, and adapt to unexpected hardware failures on-site
TASK 12
Confer with network users about solutions to existing system problems.
AI DOES
Suggests likely causes and plain-language explanations based on the problem description
YOU DO
Read the room, ask the right follow-up questions, and build trust with frustrated users
TASK 13SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Diagnose, troubleshoot, and resolve hardware, software, or other network and system problems, and replace defective components when necessary.
AI DOES
Scans systems and suggests likely causes
YOU DO
Test hunches and know when to dig deeper
About this analysis
55% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 14SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Design, configure, and test computer hardware, networking software and operating system software.
AI DOES
Generates configs and runs automated tests
YOU DO
Architect the system and troubleshoot edge cases
About this analysis
47% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 15SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Recommend changes to improve systems and network configurations, and determine hardware or software requirements related to such changes.
AI DOES
Scans systems and suggests configuration improvements
YOU DO
Decide what fits your business needs
About this analysis
40% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 16SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Plan, coordinate, and implement network security measures to protect data, software, and hardware.
AI DOES
Monitors threats and suggests security configurations
YOU DO
Design the strategy and approve responses
About this analysis
30% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 17
Load computer tapes and disks, and install software and printer paper or forms.
AI DOES
Guides software installation steps and troubleshoots errors via documentation lookup
YOU DO
Show up and handle the physical hardware yourself
TASK 18SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Perform data backups and disaster recovery operations.
AI DOES
Automates backup schedules and monitors system health
YOU DO
Plan recovery priorities and test procedures
About this analysis
22% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 19SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Analyze equipment performance records to determine the need for repair or replacement.
AI DOES
Spots patterns and flags potential equipment issues
YOU DO
Decide when to repair versus replace
About this analysis
0% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 20SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Research new technologies by attending seminars, reading trade articles, or taking classes, and implement or recommend the implementation of new technologies.
AI DOES
Curates relevant articles and summarizes key insights
YOU DO
Judge what fits your context and goals
About this analysis
0% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium

START LEARNING AI

Practice AI.
Use your judgment.

There are 20 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: Network and Computer Systems Administrators
SOC code: 15-1244
Tasks reviewed: 20 of 20

How we assess

PAY & OUTLOOK

Compare pay by state

Median pay (national): $99,130 · BLS OEWS 2025
Median pay (Colorado): $103,370 · BLS OEWS 2025
Employed (national): 314,340
Employed in Colorado: 8,360
Job outlook: −4.2% by 2034 · ~14,300 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 network performance to determine whether adjustments are needed and where changes will be needed in the future.

Operate master consoles to monitor the performance of computer systems and networks and to coordinate computer network access and use.

Perform routine network startup and shutdown procedures, and maintain control records.

Maintain logs related to network functions, as well as maintenance and repair records.

Maintain an inventory of parts for emergency repairs.

Train people in computer system use.

Gather data pertaining to customer needs, and use the information to identify, predict, interpret, and evaluate system and network requirements.

Configure, monitor, and maintain email applications or virus protection software.

Maintain and administer computer networks and related computing environments, including computer hardware, systems software, applications software, and all configurations.

Coordinate with vendors and with company personnel to facilitate purchases.

Implement and provide technical support for voice services and equipment, such as private branch exchange, voice mail system, and telecom system.

Confer with network users about solutions to existing system problems.

Diagnose, troubleshoot, and resolve hardware, software, or other network and system problems, and replace defective components when necessary.

Design, configure, and test computer hardware, networking software and operating system software.

Recommend changes to improve systems and network configurations, and determine hardware or software requirements related to such changes.

Plan, coordinate, and implement network security measures to protect data, software, and hardware.

Load computer tapes and disks, and install software and printer paper or forms.

Perform data backups and disaster recovery operations.

Analyze equipment performance records to determine the need for repair or replacement.

Research new technologies by attending seminars, reading trade articles, or taking classes, and implement or recommend the implementation of new technologies.

Practice AI.Use your judgment.

Practice AI.
Use your judgment.