Jobs Similar to Network and Computer Systems Administrators
The careers below use the most similar skills, knowledge and work activities to network and computer systems administrators, according to O*NET 31.0. The closest are Computer Network Support Specialists, Penetration Testers and Computer User Support Specialists.
Network and Computer Systems Administrators: $99,130 median pay · usual preparation: Training or associate.
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
The 20 most similar careers
| # | Career | Similarity | Median pay (vs. Network and Computer Systems Administrators) | Usual preparation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Computer Network Support SpecialistsSame group | 79% | $76,220−23% | Bachelor's degree |
| 2 | Penetration TestersSame group | 74% | $116,580Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 3 | Computer User Support SpecialistsSame group | 73% | $61,860−38% | Training or associate |
| 4 | Computer Systems AnalystsSame group | 72% | $105,850+7% | Bachelor's degree |
| 5 | Computer Systems Engineers/ArchitectsSame group | 72% | $116,580Broader BLS group · not compared | Training or associate |
| 6 | Computer Network ArchitectsSame group | 72% | $134,050+35% | Bachelor's degree |
| 7 | Information Security AnalystsSame group | 70% | $129,180+30% | Bachelor's degree |
| 8 | Information Security EngineersSame group | 70% | $116,580Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 9 | Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | 68% | $78,190−21% | Training or associate |
| 10 | Computer Hardware Engineers | 68% | $161,740+63% | Bachelor's degree |
| 11 | Software Quality Assurance Analysts and TestersSame group | 68% | $104,300+5% | Bachelor's degree |
| 12 | Database AdministratorsSame group | 68% | $104,620+6% | Bachelor's degree |
| 13 | Broadcast Technicians | 68% | $59,570−40% | Training or associate |
| 14 | Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers | 67% | $68,120−31% | High school |
| 15 | Telecommunications Engineering SpecialistsSame group | 66% | $134,050Broader BLS group · not compared | Training or associate |
| 16 | Radio Frequency Identification Device Specialists | 66% | $130,220Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 17 | Robotics Engineers | 66% | $122,930Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 18 | Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | 65% | $130,220+31% | Bachelor's degree |
| 19 | Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians | 64% | $82,890−16% | Training or associate |
| 20 | Web AdministratorsSame group | 64% | $116,580Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
- 1Computer Network Support Specialists
79% similar · $76,220 (−23%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 2Penetration Testers
74% similar · $116,580 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 3Computer User Support Specialists
73% similar · $61,860 (−38%) · Training or associate · Same group
- 4Computer Systems Analysts
72% similar · $105,850 (+7%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 5Computer Systems Engineers/Architects
72% similar · $116,580 (broader group) · Training or associate · Same group
- 6Computer Network Architects
72% similar · $134,050 (+35%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 7Information Security Analysts
70% similar · $129,180 (+30%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 8Information Security Engineers
70% similar · $116,580 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 9Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians
68% similar · $78,190 (−21%) · Training or associate
- 10Computer Hardware Engineers
68% similar · $161,740 (+63%) · Bachelor's degree
- 11Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
68% similar · $104,300 (+5%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 12Database Administrators
68% similar · $104,620 (+6%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 13Broadcast Technicians
68% similar · $59,570 (−40%) · Training or associate
- 14Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers
67% similar · $68,120 (−31%) · High school
- 15Telecommunications Engineering Specialists
66% similar · $134,050 (broader group) · Training or associate · Same group
- 16Radio Frequency Identification Device Specialists
66% similar · $130,220 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree
- 17Robotics Engineers
66% similar · $122,930 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree
- 18Electronics Engineers, Except Computer
65% similar · $130,220 (+31%) · Bachelor's degree
- 19Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians
64% similar · $82,890 (−16%) · Training or associate
- 20Web Administrators
64% similar · $116,580 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
Similarity: weighted correlation of O*NET 31.0 transferable skills (35%), knowledge (25%), work activities (15%) and interests (15%). Pay and schooling do not change it. Pay change compares BLS May 2025 national medians; careers with only a broader BLS group wage are not compared. “Same group”: the same BLS occupation group (SOC minor group). Methodology
Similar jobs that need less preparation
Thinking of a career change?
Similar is not the same as a good next step. Our career-change list for network and computer systems administrators also weighs pay drops and extra schooling, and puts jobs outside the field first.
Jobs for former network and computer systems administrators →
Jobs that can lead here
Careers where network and computer systems administrators is one of the best career-change matches (match score in brackets).
Questions about jobs like network and computer systems administrators
What jobs are most similar to network and computer systems administrators?
By O*NET 31.0 data, the closest are Computer Network Support Specialists (79% similar), Penetration Testers (74% similar), Computer User Support Specialists (73% similar), Computer Systems Analysts (72% similar) and Computer Systems Engineers/Architects (72% similar).
Which jobs like network and computer systems administrators pay more?
Among the 20 most similar careers, Computer Hardware Engineers ($161,740, +63%; usually a bachelor's degree), Computer Network Architects ($134,050, +35%; usually a bachelor's degree) and Electronics Engineers ($130,220, +31%; usually a bachelor's degree) have the highest BLS median pay compared with network and computer systems administrators ($99,130).
How is the similarity percentage worked out?
We compare how important each transferable skill, knowledge area, work activity and interest area is in both jobs (O*NET 31.0 ratings) with a weighted correlation. 100% would mean the same profile. Unlike our career-change matches, pay and extra schooling do not lower the similarity on this page.