Your Next Move: Network Support Specialist

This article is part of an IT Career News series called “Your Next Move.” These articles take an inside look at the roles related to CompTIA certifications. Each article includes the responsibilities, qualifications, related job titles and salary range for the role. As you consider the next move in your IT career, check back with CompTIA to learn more about your job prospects and how to get there.

Who do you call when you have a problem? Ghostbusters? Not quite! When you have a computer problem, you call tech support, which works hand in hand with the network support specialist. If you like solving problems or building computers, a career as a network support specialist could be for you.

What Is a Network Support Specialist?

Network support specialists analyze, troubleshoot and evaluate computer network problems. They play an important role in maintaining an organization’s networks, such as performing file backups. They help keep the network safe and secure, through both hardware configuration and end-user training. They often work under network and computer systems administrators, who handle more complex tasks.

Network support specialists typically have the following responsibilities:

• Backing up network data 
• Configuring security settings or access permissions to ensure the right people can get in and the wrong ones cannot 
• Analyzing and reporting security breaches or attempted breaches 
• Troubleshooting the network to identify connectivity issues and using diagnostic testing software and equipment 
• Documenting network support activities 
• Configuring wide area network (WAN) or local area network (LAN) routers or related equipment 
• Installing network software, such as security or firewall software 
• Providing end-user support in person and remotely 
• Evaluating network performance data regarding things like speed, connectivity and disaster recovery

How to Become a Network Support Specialist

Different levels of this role require different levels of education. Most ask for at least an associate’s degree, though some prefer a bachelor’s degree. Larger companies trend toward requiring a bachelor’s degree in a technical field. Network support specialist job postings often require certifications in systems that the company uses, but CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+, CompTIA Linux+ and CompTIA Server+ can also validate the skills needed for the role. They build a solid foundation for troubleshooting, configuring and managing a network of computers.

The Details

Salary Range

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for computer network support specialists was $62,670 in May 2016.

Network Support Specialist Job Outlook

From 2016 to 2026, the BLS projects an increase of 10 percent for network support specialists, which is higher than average, with 23,383 net new jobs expected during that 10-year period.

Job Titles Related to Network Support Specialist

• Computer network specialist
• Information technology consultant 
• Network technical analyst
• Network technician
• Systems specialist