Computer Network Support Specialists vs Computer Programmers: $76K vs $100K Median Pay

Computer Network Support Specialists vs Computer Programmers: what changes?

Consider Computer Network Support Specialists if you want to 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. Consider Computer Programmers if you would rather create, modify, and test the code and scripts that allow computer applications to run. Entry credentials differ: Computer Network Support Specialists, associate's degree; Computer Programmers, bachelor's degree.

Try this next: Compare three local entry-level postings for Computer Network Support Specialists and Computer Programmers. List the duties, credentials, prior experience, and paid training each employer actually asks for. Try a supervised class or sample project from each field before choosing a program.

BLS 2025 wages and 2025–2035 projections. National medians are not starting offers. Occupation size is not a count of vacancies. View the BLS data.

Compare the practical differences

Computer Network Support Specialists

National median pay (2025): $76,220
Route into the job: Associate's degree; More than one month and up to 12 months of on-the-job training, in addition to any qualifying education or licensing
Prior related experience: No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
Training and licensing: More than one month and up to 12 months of on-the-job training, in addition to any qualifying education or licensing.
Work to investigate: Back up network data.
Annual openings (2025–2035): 9,000

Know before you choose

Review the full career brief for day-to-day working conditions.

See the full Computer Network Support Specialists brief

Computer Programmers

National median pay (2025): $100,390
Route into the job: Bachelor's degree
Prior related experience: No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
Training and licensing: BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.
Work to investigate: Write, analyze, review, and rewrite programs, using workflow chart and diagram, and applying knowledge of computer capabilities, subject matter, and symbolic logic.
Annual openings (2025–2035): 4,400

Know before you choose

BLS projects employment to shrink 7.3% from 2025 to 2035. Openings can still occur when existing workers leave.

See the full Computer Programmers brief

How the national numbers differ

Computer Network Support Specialists has the edge on projected growth

Computer Network Support Specialists is at 1.2% projected growth, compared with -7.3% projected growth for Computer Programmers.

Computer Programmers has the edge on median pay

Computer Programmers is at $100,390, compared with $76,220 for Computer Network Support Specialists.

Computer Network Support Specialists has the edge on annual openings

Computer Network Support Specialists is at 9,000 annual openings, compared with 4,400 annual openings for Computer Programmers.

51.6/ 100

Computer Network Support Specialists

45.9/ 100

Computer Programmers

Each available metric is ranked from 0 to 100 against the careers on ChooseField. The weighted average uses this profile: pay 30%, growth 25%, openings 30%, preparation level 15%. Missing values are not scored as zero; their weights are redistributed across available metrics. Occupation size has zero weight: employment is not accessible vacancies. Preparation categories do not measure admission difficulty or years without earnings. The score summarizes national measures; local opportunities and personal fit still need separate consideration.

Detailed evidence

Computer Network Support Specialists vs Computer Programmers

Dimension	Computer Network Support Specialists	Computer Programmers
Median pay (2025)	$76,220	$100,390
Pay percentile	66.5 percentile	83.1 percentile
Projected growth (2025–2035)	1.2%	-7.3%
Annual openings (2025–2035)	9,000	4,400
2025 employment	152,500	110,800
How you qualify	Associate's degree; More than one month and up to 12 months of on-the-job training, in addition to any qualifying education or licensing	Bachelor's degree
O*NET preparation group	Job Zone 4	Job Zone 4
Related work experience	No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.	No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
On-the-job training	More than one month and up to 12 months of on-the-job training, in addition to any qualifying education or licensing.	BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.

The table reports national benchmarks and reviewed work descriptions. It does not rate personal suitability, job security, or physical safety.

Read Computer Network Support Specialists brief Read Computer Programmers brief

Computer Network Support Specialists vs Computer Programmers: what changes?

The facts most likely to affect your decision

Computer Network Support Specialists

Computer Programmers

How the national numbers differ

Computer Network Support Specialists has the edge on projected growth

Computer Programmers has the edge on median pay

Computer Network Support Specialists has the edge on annual openings

Computer Network Support Specialists vs Computer Programmers

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