[Site name]

ICT network technician

Also called system engineer, network engineer, network technician

ICT network technicians install, maintain and troubleshoot networks, data communications equipment and network installed devices such as printers and storage area networks. They also analyse and fix network-related problems reported by users.

Will there be jobs?Yes, good prospects45 jobs to fill by 2035 for every 100 people doing this work today.Information and communications techniciansWhat does it pay?About averageFrom about €1,700 (Bulgaria) to €7,000 (Ireland) a month, depending on the country.Estimate · Information and communications techniciansWhat do I need to study?Usually post-secondary or a short degree5 in 10 have a degree. 4 in 10 train through vocational routes.Information and communications techniciansWill AI change it?ModeratelyLevel 4 of 6. AI could take on part of some tasks, but none fully.Computer network and systems technicians · ILO

What you'd do

Computer network and systems technicians · ILO
  • Operating, maintaining and troubleshooting network systems
  • Operating and maintaining data communications systems other than networks
  • Assisting users with network and data communications problems
  • Identifying areas needing upgraded equipment and software
  • Installing computer hardware, network software, operating system software and applications software
  • Performing start up and close down as well as backup and disaster recovery operations for computer networks
Implement a virtual private networkImplement anti-virus softwareUse back-up and recovery toolsImplement a firewallImplement ICT security policies+ 10 more essential skills
What the work is like
  • Indoors
  • A mix of sitting and standing
  • Constant contact with people, including the public
  • Good freedom to decide
  • Usually 40 hours a week
  • Deadlines most weeks
  • Some repetitive tasks
US data: based on the O*NET profile of the US job "Computer Network Support Specialists"

Will there be jobs?

Yes, good prospects

Many jobs will need filling by 2035.

People working as information and communications technicians in the EU
1.49m2.03m2.48m 201520232035

Solid: measured. Dashed: forecast.

Jobs to fill, 2026–2035
368,000 new jobs 590,000 replacing leavers
Jobs to fill per 100 people working now
Information and communications technicians45
All jobs29
Right now
5 of 27 countries report a shortage of computer network and systems technicians, 6 a surplus.
Computer network and systems technicians · EURES

What does it pay?

About average

Pay depends a lot on the country: from about €1,700 a month (Bulgaria) to €7,000 (Ireland), before tax.

Pick a country at the top of the page to see typical pay there, for people under 30, and compared with all jobs.

Among technicians and associate professionals in the EU, women earn 16% less per hour than men. Technicians and associate professionals · Eurostat

What do I need to study?

Usually post-secondary or a short degree

Post-secondary training or a short degree in database and network design and administration is the usual route.

Highest qualification of information and communications technicians (EU, 2025)
Degree 46%Vocational 33%General secondary 13%Basic schooling 8%
Field that teaches it
Database and network design and administration
Vocational route, EU
4 in 10 trainees in this field
ICT graduates in a matching job
77% in the EU

887 institutions in the EU offer ICT bachelor's degrees. Pick a country at the top of the page to see where to study and the official course finders.

Will AI change it?

Moderately

AI could take on part of some tasks, but none fully.

How exposed is this job? ILO scale
Very low
Low
Some tasks
Moderate
Significant
High

Average task score 0.43 on a scale from 0 (AI can't do it) to 1 (AI could do it fully).

See the score for each of the 6 tasks
Assisting users with network and data communications problems0.55
Operating, maintaining and troubleshooting network systems0.48
Performing start up and close down as well as backup and disaster recovery operations for computer networks0.46
Operating and maintaining data communications systems other than networks0.40
Identifying areas needing upgraded equipment and software0.35
Installing computer hardware, network software, operating system software and applications software0.33

Based on what AI could technically do when assessed in 2025. It is not a forecast for a future year, and not a forecast of job losses. Scores for computer network and systems technicians. Source: ILO (2025), adapted (credits).