How much does a computer network support specialist make?
The median computer network support specialist in the United States earns $76,220 per year, about $36.64 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all computer network support specialists earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 15-1231.
Computer network support specialist salary range
Pay for computer network support specialists spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $47,120 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $127,780. The average (mean) wage of $81,870 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $47,120 | $22.65 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $58,240 | $28.00 | |
| Median (50th) | $76,220 | $36.64 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $98,750 | $47.48 | |
| 90th percentile | $127,780 | $61.43 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for computer network support specialists (SOC 15-1231), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Computer network support specialist salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Computer network support specialists earn the most in Washington at $101,750 a year, and the least in West Virginia at $46,840. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $101,750 | 3,300 |
| Maryland | $96,680 | 8,200 |
| District of Columbia | $91,370 | 450 |
| Massachusetts | $88,650 | 1,980 |
| New Jersey | $87,440 | 3,370 |
| Alaska | $86,110 | 300 |
| Nevada | $85,790 | 2,460 |
| Hawaii | $83,620 | 350 |
| Rhode Island | $82,970 | 620 |
| Colorado | $82,750 | 4,530 |
| Connecticut | $81,890 | 850 |
| Wisconsin | $81,010 | 1,140 |
| California | $79,190 | 13,620 |
| Georgia | $79,180 | 4,440 |
| Oklahoma | $78,740 | 1,940 |
| Pennsylvania | $78,310 | 4,170 |
| Tennessee | $77,640 | 2,660 |
| New York | $77,540 | 7,170 |
| South Carolina | $76,790 | 2,660 |
| Virginia | $76,760 | 5,650 |
| Minnesota | $76,000 | 2,930 |
| Florida | $75,740 | 9,450 |
| North Dakota | $73,550 | 500 |
| Indiana | $73,100 | 5,030 |
| Maine | $72,990 | 680 |
| Missouri | $72,780 | 3,910 |
| Vermont | $72,400 | 120 |
| New Hampshire | $72,330 | 680 |
| Ohio | $70,080 | 7,480 |
| Oregon | $68,900 | 2,660 |
| Arizona | $68,880 | 1,460 |
| Illinois | $68,530 | 6,960 |
| Texas | $66,780 | 9,930 |
| Michigan | $65,900 | 2,470 |
| Nebraska | $65,450 | 1,490 |
| Iowa | $64,600 | 1,920 |
| New Mexico | $64,550 | 1,300 |
| Mississippi | $63,410 | 1,240 |
| Idaho | $63,340 | 780 |
| Alabama | $61,890 | 940 |
| Wyoming | $61,780 | 270 |
| Montana | $61,150 | 890 |
| Delaware | $60,580 | 330 |
| Kansas | $60,060 | 310 |
| Arkansas | $59,460 | 1,470 |
| Louisiana | $58,680 | 1,290 |
| South Dakota | $53,650 | 480 |
| West Virginia | $46,840 | 600 |
State median wages for computer network support specialists (SOC 15-1231), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for computer network support specialists
The BLS projects employment of computer network support specialists to grow 1.2% from 2025 to 2035. That is slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 152,500 jobs in 2025 moving toward 154,400 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 9,000 openings a year for computer network support specialists. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a computer network support specialist
The typical entry-level education for computer network support specialists is an associate's degree, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a computer network support specialist earns
Seniority, employer, location, and specialization matter most. Workers at large tech firms and in expensive metros like San Francisco, Seattle, and New York cluster near the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Washington, $101,750) and the lowest (West Virginia, $46,840) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 146,190 people work as computer network support specialists in the United States. At $76,220 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Computer network support specialist salary FAQ
How much does a computer network support specialist make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a computer network support specialist is $36.64. The middle half of computer network support specialists earn between $28.00 and $47.48 per hour.
What is the highest computer network support specialist salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of computer network support specialists earn more than $127,780 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a computer network support specialist make a year?
The median annual salary for a computer network support specialist is $76,220. The average (mean) wage of $81,870 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a computer network support specialist a well paid job?
At $76,220 a year, a computer network support specialist earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 146,190 people work as computer network support specialists in the United States.
Which state pays computer network support specialists the most?
Washington has the highest median salary for computer network support specialists at $101,750 a year. Maryland ($96,680) and District of Columbia ($91,370) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a computer network support specialist a good career?
Employment of computer network support specialists is projected to grow 1.2% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 9,000 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a computer network support specialist?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for computer network support specialists as an associate's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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