Where AI can help
AI and automation can assist configuration and log investigation.
Technology · A PICTURE OF THE OCCUPATION
Network and Computer Systems Administrators
Configure and maintain networks, servers and IT environments. They check availability, access and recovery after failures.
Observed AI exposureNot measured in this editionAnthropic · March 2026 study
Employment projection-4.1%2025–2035
Education typically neededBachelor’s degreeBLS · 2025
What the work looks like
- 01
Plan, coordinate, and implement network security measures to protect data, software, and hardware.
- 02
Perform data backups and disaster recovery operations.
- 03
Diagnose, troubleshoot, and resolve hardware, software, or other network and system problems, and replace defective components when necessary.
- 04
Maintain and administer computer networks and related computing environments, including computer hardware, systems software, applications software, and all configurations.
- 05
Configure, monitor, and maintain email applications or virus protection software.
An example of an output
A monitored environment with documented access and tested recovery.
Editorial example, not a reported worker interview. Tools vary by employer.Work environment
Infrastructure teams and service providers. Some roles include on-call duties and maintenance outside business hours.
O*NET® 31.0 ↗Pay & demand
Mean annual pay$103,680
Median annual pay$99,130
Mean is the arithmetic average; median is the midpoint of the wage distribution. National occupational figures are not starting-salary promises.
10th percentile$62,640
90th percentile$155,050
Percentiles describe the workforce distribution, not junior and senior salary bands. Excludes self-employed workers; see the source for coverage.
BLS · May 2025 · USD/year ↗People employed in 2025323,600
Projected openings per year13,400
Includes replacement needs over 2025–2035. These are projections, not open job advertisements.
BLS · 2025–2035 ↗AI & your work
What still needs judgment
Validating changes, dependencies and recovery requires environment knowledge. Employment is also projected to decline.
The task discussion is editorial interpretation. Only the exposure percentage is reproduced from the study; we do not assign percentages to individual tasks.
Anthropic · March 2026 study ↗You can also develop within this occupation
Use the exercise below to practice a real task, check AI outputs and identify where you need more depth. A career change is one option, not a requirement.
Build a lab, trigger a controlled failure and demonstrate restoration from a backup.
What entry usually requires
- Education typically needed
- Bachelor’s degree
- Related experience typically needed
- None specified in BLS classification
- Typical on-the-job training
- None specified in BLS classification
Typical requirements in BLS data, not universal hiring rules. Verify the employer’s requirements and any applicable credential or license.
BLS · 2025 ↗Skills to build on
Diagnosticsautomationrecoveryaccess management
Tools you may encounter
Operating systems · networking · backups · monitoring and scripts
Editorial example, not a reported worker interview. Tools vary by employer.
Where you could go next
These are researched starting points, not personalized recommendations or promises of lower AI exposure. Check the destination’s requirements and your own circumstances.
EDITORIAL TRANSITION$132,510 Mean annual pay
Information Security Analysts ↗
Operating environments provides context for investigating risks and controls.
- What you can carry over
- Networking, access and diagnostics
- What you would need to learn
- Threat analysis, risk and incident response
What to consider
Related experience is typical; infrastructure operations do not replace security practice.
Explore the work before committing
1
Try a practical task
Build a lab, trigger a controlled failure and demonstrate restoration from a backup.
2
Read real job requirements
Use the official occupation title below to search current listings. Check duties, location, experience and compensation. External search results have not been verified as active by this directory.
Network and Computer Systems AdministratorsSearch external job listings ↗3
Check your assumptions with someone doing the work
Ask which tasks take the most time, how AI changed the routine and what evidence of skill helped them enter. Compare their experience with the published data.
My Next Move ↗Sources & data notes
O*NET® 31.0 · 15-1244.00 ↗BLS · May 2025 · USD/year ↗BLS · 2025–2035 ↗Anthropic · March 2026 study ↗Source & definition ↗
Occupational descriptions adapt the O*NET® 31.0 Database, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. Is my job toast? translated, shortened and supplemented the material. USDOL/ETA has not approved or endorsed these changes. CC BY 4.0 ↗