Computer Network Support Specialist Career Assessment
Keeping networks and the internet running
Welcome
Computer network support specialists keep an organization's network running: the internet, Wi-Fi, cables, and the equipment that connects every computer.
You will explore what this behind-the-scenes job is really like and whether it fits you.
This takes about 15 minutes.
What is a Computer Network Support Specialist?
A network support specialist tests, fixes, and maintains the networks that connect computers, phones, and printers. When the Wi-Fi drops or a whole office loses internet, they find out why and fix it.
The Reality: When the network goes down, nobody can work. Everyone is waiting on you. You need to stay calm and think clearly under pressure.
Your Responsibilities:
- Set up and test routers, switches, and wireless access points
- Find and fix network outages and slow connections
- Run and label network cables
- Watch network monitoring screens for problems
- Back up network settings and data
- Help the help desk with harder problems
- Apply updates and security patches to network equipment
- Document how the network is built
You are the person who keeps everyone connected.
A Day in the Life
7:30 AM — Check the monitoring dashboard. One switch at a branch office went offline overnight.
8:00 AM — Remote in and restart the switch. The branch is back online before they open.
9:30 AM — Help desk sends you a ticket: a whole floor has slow Wi-Fi. You test signal strength and find a bad access point.
11:00 AM — Replace the access point. Test it. Close the ticket.
12:00 PM — Lunch.
1:00 PM — Crawl under desks and run new cable for a remodeled office.
2:30 PM — Install security updates on firewalls. Test that everything still works.
4:00 PM — Update the network map and notes.
10:00 PM — On-call week: you get a text that the internet is down at a clinic. You fix it from home.
Part desk work, part hands-on work, with the occasional late-night call.
Training in North Dakota
No state license is needed. Most jobs ask for an associate degree or a networking certificate plus a certification like CompTIA Network+ or Cisco CCNA.
Training Pathways:
- Start at the help desk: Many network techs work 1–2 years in IT support first, then move up.
- College certificate (about 1 year): Hands-on labs with real routers and switches.
- Associate degree (2 years): The most common path. Covers networks, servers, and security.
Where to Train in North Dakota:
- Bismarck State College (Bismarck) — Cybersecurity and Computer Networks AAS; Computer Networking certificate (LANs, IP addressing, router/switch troubleshooting)
- Lake Region State College (Devils Lake) — Information Technology AAS with a Computer Networking track
- Williston State College (Williston) — Information Technology AAS with a Networking option
- Dakota College at Bottineau (Bottineau and Minot) — Information Technology AAS
- ND State College of Science (Wahpeton and Fargo) — Information Systems Administrator AAS
Before You Start: High school diploma or GED. Comfort with computers. Basic math helps (IP addresses use numbers and patterns). A valid driver's license is often needed to travel between sites.
Tip: Start with financial aid, scholarships, and any help an employer offers — that is where the money starts. After that, ask a career counselor or Job Service North Dakota whether WIOA or other programs can help with what is left over, like training, exam fees, or a laptop. What can be paid for depends on the program and on your own situation, so ask before you sign up rather than after. Many IT certifications are also sold as low-cost online courses you can do at home.
Certification & Licensing
No license. Certifications matter. Employers want proof that you understand how networks work.
Certifications Employers Look For:
- CompTIA Network+ — the standard entry-level networking certification
- Cisco CCNA — more advanced; very respected by employers
- CompTIA A+ — often earned first, as a starting point
- CompTIA Security+ — adds security skills; required for many government jobs
The Exams: Network+ has up to 90 questions in 90 minutes. CCNA is about 2 hours and is harder. Both include hands-on style questions.
Cost: Network+ is about $370. CCNA is about $300. Prices change, so check before you buy.
Keeping It Current: CompTIA certifications last 3 years. Cisco CCNA lasts 3 years. You renew with classes or higher certifications.
Salary & Job Outlook
North Dakota Computer Network Support Specialist Pay (May 2025):
- Starting out (bottom 10–25%): $26.73–$30.40/hour ($55,590–$63,240/year)
- Middle (median — half earn more, half earn less): $35.36/hour ($73,550/year)
- Experienced (top 25–10%): $43.36–$53.60/hour ($90,180–$111,490/year)
What that means: This job pays more than help desk work, usually with an associate degree. It is a good step up.
Jobs in North Dakota: About 570 people do this work in ND today. By 2034, that should be about 590 (about 2% growth). Expect about 40 job openings every year in ND from growth and people retiring or changing jobs. Across the U.S., the change is about 2% growth.
Outlook: Steady. Growth is slow, but openings come up every year as people retire or move up. Skills in cloud and security make you stand out.
Who Hires in ND: Hospitals and clinics, school districts and colleges, state and local government, banks, energy and utility companies, telephone and internet companies, and IT service companies.
Work Setting: Offices, server rooms, and wiring closets. Travel to other buildings or towns is common in ND. Many jobs include on-call weeks for nights and weekends.
Physical Demands: Light to moderate. Lifting equipment (up to about 50 lbs), climbing ladders, crawling under desks, and working in tight, noisy server rooms.
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, North Dakota, May 2025 (SOC 15-1231); North Dakota and U.S. long-term employment projections 2024–2034, via O*NET OnLine. Numbers are rounded.
Where This Leads
Path 1: Network Administrator / Engineer — Design and manage whole networks. Higher pay.
Path 2: Systems Administrator — Add servers and cloud systems to your skills.
Path 3: Cybersecurity Analyst — Network knowledge is a huge head start in security.
Path 4: Cloud Engineer — Manage networks in Azure, AWS, or Google Cloud.
Path 5: Telecommunications — Work for phone and internet providers across ND.
Path 6: IT Manager — Lead the IT team for a company or school district.
The Real Talk
What's Great:
- Good pay with a 2-year degree
- Mix of desk work and hands-on work
- Every organization needs a network
- Clear path to higher-paying jobs
- Satisfying to fix big problems
- Skills transfer to any state
What's Hard:
- High pressure when the network is down
- On-call nights and weekends
- Work often happens after hours so it does not disrupt people
- Crawling under desks and in tight spaces
- Travel on winter roads between sites
- Technology changes fast; you must keep learning
- Slow job growth in ND
- Mistakes can knock many people offline
Be Honest: Can you stay calm when everyone is waiting on you? Are you OK with on-call weeks? Do you like figuring out how systems connect? Will you keep up with new technology?