Computer Network Support Specialists vs Network and Computer Systems Administrators: $76K vs $99K Median Pay

Computer Network Support Specialists vs Network and Computer Systems Administrators: 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 Network and Computer Systems Administrators if you would rather install, configure, and maintain an organization's local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), data communications network, operating systems, and physical and virtual servers. Entry credentials differ: Computer Network Support Specialists, associate's degree; Network and Computer Systems Administrators, bachelor's degree.

Try this next: Compare three local entry-level postings for Computer Network Support Specialists and Network and Computer Systems Administrators. 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

Network and Computer Systems Administrators

National median pay (2025): $99,130
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: Maintain and administer computer networks and related computing environments, including computer hardware, systems software, applications software, and all configurations.
Annual openings (2025–2035): 13,400

Know before you choose

BLS projects employment to shrink 4.1% from 2025 to 2035. Openings can still occur when existing workers leave.

See the full Network and Computer Systems Administrators 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 -4.1% projected growth for Network and Computer Systems Administrators.

Network and Computer Systems Administrators has the edge on median pay

Network and Computer Systems Administrators is at $99,130, compared with $76,220 for Computer Network Support Specialists.

Network and Computer Systems Administrators has the edge on annual openings

Network and Computer Systems Administrators is at 13,400 annual openings, compared with 9,000 annual openings for Computer Network Support Specialists.

51.6/ 100

Computer Network Support Specialists

53.5/ 100

Network and Computer Systems Administrators

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 Network and Computer Systems Administrators

Dimension	Computer Network Support Specialists	Network and Computer Systems Administrators
Median pay (2025)	$76,220	$99,130
Pay percentile	66.5 percentile	82.2 percentile
Projected growth (2025–2035)	1.2%	-4.1%
Annual openings (2025–2035)	9,000	13,400
2025 employment	152,500	323,600
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.

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Computer Network Support Specialists vs Network and Computer Systems Administrators: what changes?

The facts most likely to affect your decision

Computer Network Support Specialists

Network and Computer Systems Administrators

How the national numbers differ

Computer Network Support Specialists has the edge on projected growth

Network and Computer Systems Administrators has the edge on median pay

Network and Computer Systems Administrators has the edge on annual openings

Computer Network Support Specialists vs Network and Computer Systems Administrators

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