Computer Network Technicians

(NOC 2281)

in All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology

Computer network technicians establish, operate, maintain, and coordinate the use of local and wide area networks (LANs and WANs), mainframe networks, hardware, software, and related computer equipment. They work for information technology units throughout the private and public sectors. Supervisors of computer network technicians are included in this group.

Job Outlook

Good

Read more

  • Estimate Strong growth employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 135 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate Low rate of unemployment in 2022

Compared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology

  • Estimate 3410 employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 5690 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for these occupation.

Hourly Pay

$16.25

Minimum

$30.00

Median

$48.08

Maximum

Annual Pay

$17,264

Minimum

$54,197

Median

$86,952

Maximum

Compared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology

Hourly Pay

$18.00

Minimum

$34.90

Median

$54.10

Maximum

Annual Pay

$13,568

Minimum

$60,422

Median

$107,009

Maximum

About the job

Nature of work

Computer network technicians establish, operate, maintain, and coordinate the use of local and wide area networks (LANs and WANs), mainframe networks, hardware, software, and related computer equipment. They work for information technology units throughout the private and public sectors. Supervisors of computer network technicians are included in this group.

Job duties

Computer network technicians:

  • Maintain, troubleshoot and administer the use of local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), mainframe networks, computer workstations, connections to the Internet and peripheral equipment.
  • Evaluate and install computer hardware, networking software, operating system software and software applications.
  • Use master consoles to monitor the performance of computer systems and networks and to coordinate access and use of computer networks.
  • Provide problem-solving services to network users.
  • Install, maintain, troubleshoot, and upgrade Web-server hardware and software.
  • Implement network traffic and security monitoring software and improve server performance.
  • Complete routine network start up and close down and maintain control records.
  • Complete data backups and disaster recovery operations.
  • Conduct tests and perform security and quality controls.
  • Control and monitor e-mail use, Web navigation, and installed software.
  • Perform shell scripting or other basic scripting tasks.
  • May supervise other workers in this group.

Sample job titles

  • computer network technician
  • data centre operator
  • local area network (LAN) administrator
  • local area network (LAN) technician
  • network administrator
  • network support analyst
  • system administrator
  • web site administrator
  • web technician
  • wide area network (WAN) technician

Skills

  • Computer and network operators and web technicians need an ability to work methodically and pay close attention to detail. They also require motor coordination and finger and manual dexterity to repair and install networking and web server equipment. You will also need an interest in learning to keep your skills current, the ability to troubleshoot and solve problems, and the communication skills required to work with computer users and other staff.

Job requirements

  • A college or other program in computer science, network administration, Web technology or a related field is usually required.
  • Certification or training provided by software vendors may be required by some employers.

Other considerations

  • Progression to computer programming, interactive media development, Web development or systems analysis is possible with experience.

By the numbers

Quick look

1,615

employed in 2016

94.7%

employed full-time

2.2%

self employed

17.4%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
82.6%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
40.5

median age

Compared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology

25,875

employed in 2016

91.5%

employed full-time

7.6%

self employed

20.0%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
80%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
42.8

median age

Where will I likely work?

65.6%

Halifax

$59,510 median annual income
9.3%

North Shore

$46,046 median annual income
8.7%

Cape Breton

$61,017 median annual income
8.4%

Annapolis Valley

$53,318 median annual income
8.0%

Southern

$41,258 median annual income

Compared to: All NS Occupations

47.0%

Halifax

15.6%

North Shore

12.9%

Annapolis Valley

12.7%

Cape Breton

11.8%

Southern

Top Industries of Employment

24.5%

Professional, scientific and technical services

17.7%

Information and cultural industries

16.7%

Public administration

9.5%

Educational services

6.1%

Health care and social assistance

What is the age of Employment?

34.0%

35-44

25.0%

45-54

22.0%

25-34

11.0%

55-64

7.0%

15-24

1.0%

65+

Compared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology

24.2%

25-34

23.5%

45-54

23.4%

35-44

16.4%

55-64

7.7%

15-24

Top levels of education

48.0%

College Diploma

$61,172 median annual income
23.2%

Bachelor

$61,087 median annual income
14.6%

High school

$31,828 median annual income
4.6%

Diploma Below Bachelor

$48,716 median annual income
4.0%

Master

$46,927 median annual income

Compared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology

33.1%

College Diploma

$59,986 median annual income
29.8%

Bachelor

$63,965 median annual income
11.9%

High school

$45,835 median annual income
9.9%

Master

$65,105 median annual income
6.9%

Trade Certification

$57,773 median annual income

Education & training

Computer Programming

College or Trades Program

These programs focus on writing and implementing generic and customized programs to drive operating systems and that prepares students to apply the methods and procedures of software design and programming to software installation and maintenance. They include courses in software design, low- and high-level languages and program writing, program customization and linking, prototype testing, troubleshooting, and related aspects of operating systems and networks.

Institutions providing this program

Dalhousie University

Halifax, NS

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications

College, Trades, or University Program

These programs focus on designing, implementing, and managing linked systems of computers, peripherals, and associated software to maximize efficiency and productivity, and that prepares individuals to function as network specialists and managers at various levels. They include courses in operating systems and applications, systems design and analysis, networking theory and solutions, types of networks, network management and control, network and flow optimization, security, configuring, and troubleshooting.

Institutions providing this program

Dalhousie University

Halifax, NS

Information Technology

College, Trades, or University Program

These programs focus on the design of technological information systems, including computing systems, as solutions to business and research data and communications support needs. They include courses in the principles of computer hardware and software components, algorithms, databases, telecommunications, user tactics, application testing, and human interface design.

Institutions providing this program

Acadia University

Wolfville, NS

Dalhousie University

Halifax, NS

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

System Administration

College, Trades, or University Program

These programs prepare students to manage the computer operations and control the system configurations emanating from a specific site or network hub. They include courses in computer hardware and software and applications, local area (LAN) and wide area (WAN) networking, principles of information systems security, disk space and traffic load monitoring, data backup, resource allocation, and setup and takedown procedures.

Institutions providing this program

Eastern College - Halifax

Halifax, NS

Centre for Distance Education

Sydney, NS

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

System, Networking and LAN/WAN Management

College, Trades, or University Program

These programs prepare students to oversee and regulate the computer system and performance requirements of an entire organization or network of satellite users. They include courses in performance balancing, redundancy, local area (LAN) and wide area (WAN) network management, system migration and upgrading, outage control, problem diagnosis and troubleshooting, and system maintenance budgeting and management.

Institutions providing this program

Academy of Learning Career College - Halifax

Halifax, NS

Web Page, Digital/Multimedia, and Information Resources Design

College, Trades, or University Program

These programs apply HTML, XML, Javascript, graphics applications, and other authoring tools to the design, editing, and publishing (launching) of documents, images, graphics, sound, and multimedia products on the World Wide Web. They include courses in Internet theory, web page standards and policies, elements of web page design, user interfaces, vector tools, special effects, interactive and multimedia components, search engines, navigation, morphing, e-commerce tools, and emerging web technologies.

Institutions providing this program

Academy of Learning Career College - Halifax

Halifax, NS

Dalhousie University

Halifax, NS

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Employment requirements & contacts

No regulating bodies were found under this occupation profile

Contacts

Information and Communications Technology Council
Ottawa, ON
Digital Nova Scotia
Halifax, NS

Additional resources