Network and Computer Systems Administrators
Also called: LAN Administrator (Local Area Network Administrator), Network Administrator (Network Admin), Network Engineer, Systems EngineerInstall, configure, and maintain an organization's local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), data communications network, operating systems, and physical and virtual servers. Perform system monitoring and verify the integrity and availability of hardware, network, and server resources and systems. Review system and application logs and verify completion of scheduled jobs, including system backups. Analyze network and server resource consumption and control user access. Install and upgrade software and maintain software licenses. May assist in network modeling, analysis, planning, and coordination between network and data communications hardware and software.
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What the data says: AI could halve the time on 17 of its 20 tasks, and jobs are projected to shrink 4.1% by 2035. In the most exposed occupations, the squeeze shows up first among early-career workers. How to think about this →
About this projection
BLS builds AI into its projections where the research supports it: “BLS generally applies adjustments based on this research conservatively, where there is convincing evidence for a change.”
It also notes a limit: “BLS projection methods are not designed to capture extremely rapid technological change.”
On its AI exposure groups, BLS says exposure “does not imply job loss.”
Recent conditions
- In 2024, 2.1% of people in this work were unemployed, against 3.8% across all occupations Census ACS 2024
- From Sep 2025 to Aug 2026, 7.9 hires for every 10 job openings in professional and business services, which employs about 38% of people in this work, against 7.3 across all industries BLS JOLTS
One box per opening, filled for each hire; hires beyond the openings are added in a lighter shade. Higher can mean openings get filled, or that people leave often; lower, that jobs go unfilled, or hiring is slow.7.9 this industry7.3 all industries
Median pay by state BLS OEWS May 2025, state estimates
Tap a state for its figures.
Median pay in every state
| State | Median | Middle half earn | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $81,400 | $64,800 to $104,260 | 5,040 |
| Alaska | $97,500 | $76,780 to $104,030 | 920 |
| Arizona | $90,280 | $74,950 to $113,420 | 5,810 |
| Arkansas | $81,590 | $64,650 to $104,590 | 1,750 |
| California | $106,440 | $88,680 to $134,190 | 26,170 |
| Colorado | $103,370 | $85,390 to $130,230 | 8,360 |
| Connecticut | $105,880 | $85,830 to $132,190 | 2,170 |
| Delaware | $94,200 | $71,970 to $122,140 | 850 |
| District of Columbia | $110,970 | $98,480 to $137,030 | 1,320 |
| Florida | $95,200 | $73,800 to $118,450 | 26,890 |
| Georgia | $97,170 | $76,980 to $122,730 | 9,190 |
| Guam | $59,820 | $51,250 to $79,730 | 90 |
| Hawaii | $101,450 | $84,300 to $129,470 | 1,490 |
| Idaho | $91,880 | $76,850 to $107,160 | 1,010 |
| Illinois | $100,080 | $79,520 to $128,790 | 9,820 |
| Indiana | $84,550 | $70,680 to $104,450 | 4,310 |
| Iowa | $84,500 | $70,470 to $105,210 | 3,110 |
| Kansas | $83,340 | $68,580 to $106,000 | 4,100 |
| Kentucky | $87,020 | $70,710 to $106,950 | 2,800 |
| Louisiana | $90,160 | $74,260 to $107,580 | 1,790 |
| Maine | $83,890 | $72,090 to $103,320 | 920 |
| Maryland | $118,290 | $90,900 to $156,360 | 9,230 |
| Massachusetts | $110,980 | $91,950 to $136,810 | 8,270 |
| Michigan | $92,750 | $76,080 to $108,440 | 6,900 |
| Minnesota | $101,870 | $83,020 to $129,200 | 4,550 |
| Mississippi | $79,990 | $65,750 to $103,700 | 1,380 |
| Missouri | $80,870 | $63,290 to $103,790 | 5,810 |
| Montana | $80,950 | $67,760 to $95,300 | 850 |
| Nebraska | $84,700 | $67,890 to $110,530 | 1,560 |
| Nevada | $103,440 | $83,040 to $129,230 | 1,980 |
| New Hampshire | $100,230 | $83,930 to $121,220 | 1,660 |
| New Jersey | $116,420 | $90,440 to $137,990 | 9,280 |
| New Mexico | $90,790 | $75,270 to $104,990 | 1,220 |
| New York | $105,810 | $83,630 to $134,390 | 18,220 |
| North Carolina | $95,230 | $72,090 to $124,100 | 13,850 |
| North Dakota | $86,450 | $73,290 to $101,860 | 930 |
| Ohio | $97,570 | $77,990 to $128,930 | 15,130 |
| Oklahoma | $83,990 | $67,980 to $102,720 | 2,580 |
| Oregon | $102,000 | $84,220 to $121,620 | 4,880 |
| Pennsylvania | $86,140 | $71,150 to $105,840 | 7,750 |
| Puerto Rico | $54,200 | $45,270 to $69,070 | 890 |
| Rhode Island | $103,100 | $80,890 to $128,750 | 1,060 |
| South Carolina | $92,520 | $75,330 to $119,410 | 3,580 |
| South Dakota | $75,010 | $63,310 to $87,400 | 1,690 |
| Tennessee | $88,100 | $75,700 to $107,160 | 5,070 |
| Texas | $101,240 | $79,570 to $128,140 | 34,840 |
| Utah | $95,820 | $78,260 to $117,170 | 2,050 |
| Vermont | $86,020 | $77,180 to $102,810 | 560 |
| Virginia | $109,610 | $83,480 to $136,480 | 12,430 |
| Washington | $103,910 | $82,800 to $127,740 | 8,600 |
| West Virginia | $74,490 | $63,520 to $94,320 | 1,510 |
| Wisconsin | $83,650 | $67,150 to $102,180 | 8,470 |
| Wyoming | $75,220 | $63,100 to $92,630 | 610 |
Nationally: $99,130. Shades run from the lowest state median to the highest; a territory below that range takes the lightest. How to read this
How AI touches the work
What AI could speed up, task by task, and where people already use it.
AI could halve the time on 17 of its 20 tasks
| AI rating | Its main tasks | Share of Claude conversations May 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| AI + software | Plan, coordinate, and implement network security measures to protect data, software, and hardware. | Not published |
| AI + software | Perform data backups and disaster recovery operations. | under 0.01% |
| AI + software | Diagnose, troubleshoot, and resolve hardware, software, or other network and system problems, and replace defective components when necessary. | 0.05% |
| AI + software | Maintain and administer computer networks and related computing environments, including computer hardware, systems software, applications software, and all configurations. | Not published |
| AI + software | Configure, monitor, and maintain email applications or virus protection software. | Not published |
| Not much | Confer with network users about solutions to existing system problems. | 0.01% |
See all 20 tasks
| AI + software | Design, configure, and test computer hardware, networking software and operating system software. | Not published |
| AI alone | Recommend changes to improve systems and network configurations, and determine hardware or software requirements related to such changes. | 0.07% |
| AI + software | Monitor network performance to determine whether adjustments are needed and where changes will be needed in the future. | Not published |
| AI + software | Operate master consoles to monitor the performance of computer systems and networks and to coordinate computer network access and use. | Not published |
| AI + software | Analyze equipment performance records to determine the need for repair or replacement. | Not published |
| AI + software | Gather data pertaining to customer needs, and use the information to identify, predict, interpret, and evaluate system and network requirements. | Not published |
| AI alone | Research new technologies by attending seminars, reading trade articles, or taking classes, and implement or recommend the implementation of new technologies. | under 0.01% |
| AI + software | Coordinate with vendors and with company personnel to facilitate purchases. | Not published |
| AI + software | Maintain logs related to network functions, as well as maintenance and repair records. | Not published |
| AI alone | Train people in computer system use. | 0.02% |
| AI + software | Perform routine network startup and shutdown procedures, and maintain control records. | Not published |
| Not much | Maintain an inventory of parts for emergency repairs. | Not published |
| AI alone | Implement and provide technical support for voice services and equipment, such as private branch exchange, voice mail system, and telecom system. | Not published |
| Not much | Load computer tapes and disks, and install software and printer paper or forms. | Not published |
Ordered by how important O*NET's respondents rate each task (1 to 5) times the share who say it is part of their job. The ordering is ours. 6 of the 20 have a published share of Claude conversations; “not published” means too few conversations for Anthropic to publish a figure.
Where people already use AI
The tasks above say what AI could speed up. This shows what people are using it for. Its 20 tasks fall under 21 work activities that many occupations share, and Microsoft counted how often each one came up in 200,000 conversations with its Copilot assistant in 2024.
- #4 Maintain current knowledge in area of expertise
- #27 Research technology designs or applications
- #29 Resolve computer problems
- and 1 more, in the table below
| Work activity | This occupation's tasks under it | People asked AI for help in 10,000 conversations |
AI did it for them in 10,000 conversations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advise others on the design or use of technologies | |||
| Implement security measures for computer or information systems | |||
| Evaluate designs, specifications, or other technical data | |||
| Monitor operation of computer or information technologies | |||
| Maintain electronic, computer, or other technical equipment | |||
| Determine resource needs of projects or operations | |||
| Maintain current knowledge in area of expertise | |||
| Research technology designs or applications |
Show all 21 activities
| Resolve computer problems | |||
| Coordinate with others to resolve problems | |||
| Develop operational or technical procedures or standards | |||
| Set up computer systems, networks, or other information systems | |||
| Design computer or information systems or applications | |||
| Document technical designs, procedures, or activities | |||
| Test performance of computer or information systems | |||
| Collect data about consumer needs or opinions | |||
| Analyze data to improve operations | |||
| Maintain operational records | |||
| Direct organizational operations, activities, or procedures | |||
| Train others to use equipment or products | |||
| Replenish inventories of materials, equipment, or products |
How people in this work use Claude
What people in this work made with Claude % of conversations
- Configuration or infrastructure27%
- An explanation or answer17%
- Advice or a recommendation10%
- A plan or strategy9%
- A document or report8%
How they worked with Claude
59% of these conversations were about work. Anthropic Economic Index, May 2026.
How to read this
Work activities come from O*NET, which links every task to the broader activities it involves. Microsoft's figures are for the activity across everyone who used Copilot, not for network and computer systems administrators specifically. Copilot is a general chat assistant; dedicated coding tools are not included, so programming help is under-counted here. Activities are listed by how many of this occupation's tasks fall under them.
The task ratings say whether AI could halve the time a task takes: on its own (“AI alone”), or with software built on it (“AI + software”). They were made by people in 2023 (Eloundou et al.). Claude's share is the task's share of all Claude.ai conversations in May 2026; Anthropic doesn't publish a task with too few conversations. None of these add up to the BLS exposure group, which combines five research measures.
More in the Guide: task ratings · task order · work activities · Copilot figures · Claude
High exposure doesn't mean fewer jobs
BLS projects most occupations in its two most exposed groups to grow: 141 of 206 rated Very high and 165 of 206 rated High. Each dot is one of the 831 occupations BLS rates.
Career moves into and out of this occupation
From moves between occupations found in online resumes, 2002–2016. Career changes only: a first job after school isn't a move.
Where people moved next
of 344,072 moves out
- 1 Computer Occupations, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 13%
- 2 Computer User Support Specialists Very high -3.5% 9%
- 3 Managers, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 6%
- 4 Management Analysts Very high +10.1% 5%
- 5 Computer Systems Analysts Very high +7.9% 5%
Where people moved in from
of 303,924 moves in
- 1 Computer User Support Specialists Very high -3.5% 14%
- 2 Computer Occupations, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 10%
- 3 Managers, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 5%
- 4 Computer Systems Analysts Very high +7.9% 5%
- 5 Software Developers, Applications (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 3%
Resumes over-represent younger, white-collar job-seekers and moves into management. Schubert, Stansbury and Taska (resume data).
Education and training for the occupation
Census survey (American Community Survey)
- 2% less than high school
- 8% high school
- 23% some college
- 15% associate's
- 38% bachelor's
- 12% master's
- 1% professional degree
- 1% doctorate
Census ACS 2024, all workers in this occupation · 2,227 people surveyed.
Median pay by highest degree full-time, year-round · Census ACS 2024, all workers in this occupation
3 programs: Computer and Information Sciences, General, Network and System Administration/Administrator and Computer and Information Systems Security/Auditing/Information Assurance.
Jobs that require a credential BLS Occupational Requirements Survey 2023
21.4% this occupation
45.3% all occupations
| By kind | This occupation | All occupations |
|---|---|---|
| a license | <0.5% | 19.1% |
| a certification | 8.9% | 5.8% |
| an educational certificate | <0.5% | 2.8% |
Share of jobs whose employer requires it. BLS doesn't say which credential. How to read this
Look up certifications, training and licenses U.S. Department of Labor
- Certification Finder ↗ certifications CareerOneStop lists for this occupation
- Training Finder ↗ schools and programs, nationwide; narrow the place there
- License Finder ↗ licenses by state
- Apprenticeship Finder ↗ DOL lists 7 registered apprenticeships in this occupation. Apprenticeship.gov can't be linked to one occupation, so search for “Network and Computer Systems Administrators” there.
These open in a new tab and send only the occupation's public code. More in the Guide
BLS AI exposure categories (Aug 2026) · BLS Employment Projections 2025–35 · O*NET 31.0 · Task ratings: Eloundou et al., Science (2024) · Microsoft "Working with AI" v1.1 · Anthropic Economic Index (2026-06-26) · Schubert, Stansbury and Taska · NCES CIP–SOC · Census ACS 2024 · BLS JOLTS · Brynjolfsson, Chandar and Chen, Stanford (Aug 2026)
See it online, and explore any career: https://www.pathmosaic.com/card/15-1244.00