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Boston Career Explorer

Computer and Mathematical

Computer Network Support Specialists

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. Perform network maintenance to ensure networks operate correctly with minimal interruption.

Also called: Computer Network Specialist, IT Consultant (Information Technology Consultant), Network Specialist, Network Support Specialist, Network Technical Analyst, Network Technician

Median pay in Greater Boston
$88,950
$42.76/hr
Jobs in Greater Boston
1,700
Massachusetts 2024–2034
+1.8%
140 openings a year
Typical U.S. entry requirement
Associate's degree
plus Moderate-term on-the-job training

Greater Boston: Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area, May 2025. Growth and openings: Massachusetts statewide projection.

Pay range in Greater Boston

Yearly pay in Greater Boston by percentile
10th25thMedian75th90th
$58,950$76,900$88,950$113,100$134,640

10% of workers earn less than the first figure and 10% earn more than the last.

What you’d do

  • Back up network data.
  • Configure security settings or access permissions for groups or individuals.
  • Analyze and report computer network security breaches or attempted breaches.
  • Identify the causes of networking problems, using diagnostic testing software and equipment.
  • Document network support activities.
  • Configure wide area network (WAN) or local area network (LAN) routers or related equipment.

AI and this job

AI exposure: how much of this job’s work AI tools can do or help with, based on national research. It is not a forecast of job loss.

Higher exposure72 of 100

The index averages three national research measures, each shown as a percentile of all jobs:

  • AIOE 65
  • Language-model AIOE 65
  • GPTs-are-GPTs 86

Observed AI use today: Substantial (Anthropic Economic Index)

AI exposure is higher for this job, and observed AI use is substantial. AI tools can help with documentation, backups, reading logs and test results, and flagging security problems. Deciding who gets access, and responding to real breaches, still depends on people. Federal projections also say some network support work is moving to cloud providers as companies finish cloud migrations, so growth in Massachusetts is slow at 1.8%.

Likely to change

  • Writing and updating support documentation
  • Spotting patterns in diagnostic test results

Still relies on people

  • Deciding who gets access to what
  • Judging and responding to real security breaches

What federal projections say

“Sourcing change - share decreases as companies complete cloud migrations and outsource network support to cloud providers.”
BLS Employment Projections 2025–35, factors affecting this job (U.S.)

Written with AI from the data on this page. Check with a career coach before making a decision.

Next steps from here

Related jobs that build on what you already do.

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    You already inspect, test, and trace faults in network systems. This job applies that to cables and lines, with low AI exposure and $103,090 median pay.

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Training near Boston

College and school programs in the Boston metro area that lead to this job, with 2023-24 completions (IPEDS).

56 programs near Boston (plus 25 graduate)

Related occupations

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