Computer network technicians operate, maintain and co-ordinate the use of local and wide area networks, datacentre networks, hardware, software and related computer equipment. They work for information technology (IT) companies and departments in the private and public sectors.
People in this job need to have a good understanding of computer hardware and software. They should be able to go with the flow, be creative, and be good at solving problems. Communication and good personal skills are important—network technicians have to be able to explain technical problems and work well with other IT professionals (such as programmers), staff and customers.
Supervisors of computer network technicians are included in this group.
Watch the video below to see what a day in the life of a computer network technician is like.
Source: Estimated median employment income based on 2021 Job Bank median hourly wage rate (median annual salary = hourly wage rate x 40 (hours per week) x 52.14 (weeks per year))
Note:Estimated median employment income based on 2021 Job Bank median hourly wage rate (median annual salary = hourly wage rate x 40 (hours per week) x 52.14 (weeks per year))
Source: 2021 Job Bank Wage Report
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook
10 year expected job openings: 4,410
In general, computer network technicians:
Computer network technicians usually work 40 hours per week. If computer support is needed outside of office hours, such as when a large-scale maintenance project means that the system is down, they may work evenings, weekends or be on call. When problems come up, computer network technicians may need to work overtime.
The internet has changed this career somewhat. While some computer network technicians work in offices, people in this career can also provide remote support from a home office. People who work for companies that provide services on contract may spend part of their day travelling to clients' offices.
People in this job spend many hours sitting at a desk, working on a computer. This can cause eye, wrist, back or neck strain. It’s important to use a chair that allows good posture and to have a workstation setup that lowers joint pain caused by typing or using a mouse.
Source: 2016 Census
A diploma or certificate in network or system administration, technology support or a related field is required for a career in this field.
The following may be required:
Certification is not required, but it may help to improve job opportunities.
For more information about programs offered specifically for this career, visit EducationPlannerBC.
Every job calls for a certain set of skills. Knowing those skills is the first step in finding a good career fit.
Here, you will find the 35 most relevant workplace skills. Some are more important to achieving success in a certain career than others. These skills may come naturally to you or you may need to gain them through education, training and experience.
See the list of work-related skills below, ranked in order of importance for this career. You’ll also find the skill strength needed, letting you know how capable you must be in that skill.
Check out the list and see if this career matches your skills—take that first step!
Most employers use information technologies—and they need computer network technicians to manage, upgrade and customize their complex computer systems. It is expected there will be openings for this job in many industries and these will increase in the future.
The following may increase the demand for computer network technicians:
* The combination of telephone, video and data communication provided by one company.
Computer network technicians may have a better chance of finding work if they have advanced training or certification in these growing specialities:
Network technology changes quickly and this means that recent graduates and those who regularly upgrade their skills may have an easier time finding jobs. Having one or more vendor certifications—when a person is trained and certified by a specific software company—may also help.
Career paths
Typically, recent graduates with a diploma can go straight into a job as a computer network technician. Others may start out working on a help desk, in computer and network operations, or in other support roles before moving into this career.
With more education and experience, computer network technicians may become supervisors or move into managerial roles, such as leading the IT department. They can go on to more senior roles, such as:
They can also move into other fields such as computer programming, interactive media development, web development or systems analysis.
Additional resources