Technology occupation
Will AI replace Network And Computer Systems Administrators?
See how this occupation’s day-to-day work compares with other jobs in exposure to AI and automation, why it received this result, and where human skills remain essential.
Network And Computer Systems Administrators
Network and Computer Systems Administrators · Technology
Higher AI & automation exposure than 75% of jobs we compare.
Exposure index: 75 / 100
This compares the type of work in this job with the work in hundreds of other jobs.
This is a comparison between jobs — not a 75% chance of job loss.
Why did this job get this result?
- Configuring servers, managing user directories, and monitoring network performance happen primarily on computer terminals.
- Routine server patching, account provisioning, and backup verifications follow established system administration procedures.
- Work occurs in office and server room settings, involving occasional hardware racking but minimal robotic automation.
- Administrators must troubleshoot sudden service outages, diagnose hardware failures, and isolate security vulnerabilities.
- Assisting internal staff with system issues and coordinating with external hardware vendors require clear communication.
How technology may change this work
Technology and human strengths
What AI & automation may affect
- Infrastructure-as-Code (IaC) and configuration management tools can automate server provisioning and software updates.
- Cloud monitoring platforms can automatically restart failed services, allocate storage, and issue health alerts.
Human strengths in this job
- Diagnosing sudden, unscripted hardware failures, network degradation, and complex system crashes under pressure
- Balancing aggressive IT security patch policies with daily operational stability across internal business units
- Providing patient, direct technical support to internal employees experiencing disruptive technical failures
- Planning and physically executing server room maintenance, cable management, and hardware replacements safely
How this result breaks down
These are model components, not percentages of the job or of how necessary people are.
How much the job involves information, data, writing, analysis or other digital work that AI and software may help with.
How much of the work follows regular, predictable or repeated steps.
How much of the physical work may be suitable for machines or robotics.
How much the job depends on judgment, creativity, communication and adapting to real situations.
How is the index calculated?
The Exposure Index is a percentile comparing this job's digital, routine, and physical tasks against all 897 occupations in the Model 2.1 dataset. A score of 75 means higher modeled exposure than approximately 75% of comparable jobs.
Your work may differ
How does your work compare?
Two people with the same job title can do very different work. Answer seven quick questions to see how your specific day-to-day tasks compare.
What people in this job commonly do
- Plan, coordinate, and implement network security measures to protect data, software, and hardware.
- Perform data backups and disaster recovery operations.
- Diagnose, troubleshoot, and resolve hardware, software, or other network and system problems, and replace defective components when necessary.
- Maintain and administer computer networks and related computing environments, including computer hardware, systems software, applications software, and all configurations.
- Configure, monitor, and maintain email applications or virus protection software.
- Confer with network users about solutions to existing system problems.
How we compare jobs
We look at what people do in hundreds of occupations — including digital work, repeatable activities, physical automation and human skills — then compare the job with other occupations.
What this tool cannot predict
It cannot predict individual job loss, exact technology adoption timing or decisions by an individual employer.
Occupation and data details
O*NET-SOC: 15-1244.00
Career category: Technology
Typical education: Associate's degree
Data source: O*NET, U.S. Department of Labor.
This product includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Toolsyte has modified and scored some information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.