ICT Network Technician
Key facts
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.
ICT network technicians are vital for keeping networks running smoothly. Your days will involve a mix of hands-on work, troubleshooting, and analysis. You’ll be responsible for installing, configuring, and maintaining network hardware and software, ensuring optimal performance and security. You’ll also address user-reported issues, diagnose network problems, and implement solutions to restore functionality. This role requires a strong understanding of data communications and a methodical approach to problem-solving.
- • Installing and configuring network hardware, including routers, switches, and firewalls.
- • Troubleshooting and resolving network connectivity issues reported by users.
- • Maintaining network security protocols and ensuring data integrity.
Where this occupation is in demand
Reported labour shortages and surpluses, by year. Published for occupation groups, not for individual job titles.
Deeper colour: reported the same way in more consecutive years.
Figures cover Information and communications technicians — 22 jobs including this one.
In shortage: Bulgaria, Germany, Greece, Italy and 1 more.
Longest-running shortage: Italy, 3 years.
Select a place on the map to see its figures.
About this source›
Source: ELA/EURES labour shortages and surpluses. Readings are published at occupation-group level, and cover Europe. Editions differ in annex layout and country coverage, so a change between years does not always mean the labour market changed. Countries in grey were not reported, which is not the same as being in balance.
What these words mean
The four things this section reports
- Reported demand
- Whether employers report needing people in this job — a judgement published by a national or EU body, not a count.
- Where it is heading
- Which way employment in this job is expected to move over the coming years, from an official projection.
- Openings
- Roughly how many openings arise — from growth and from people leaving the job.
- Typical pay
- What people in this job typically earn where the source publishes it. Blank does not mean unpaid; it means nobody publishes it for that place.
A measure is left out when nobody publishes it for that place, rather than shown as zero.
Which way the market leans for you
- In your favour
- More openings than people looking — employers are competing for candidates.
- Balanced
- Openings and candidates are roughly matched.
- Competitive
- More people looking than openings — expect to compete.
- Mixed evidence
- Sources disagree, or the same occupation group is short in one part and oversupplied in another.
Every source resolves to one of these four, so there is a single vocabulary to learn. What differs is the evidence behind it, which is printed underneath each verdict — a measured ratio of openings to jobseekers, or an assessment published by a national body.
How this job compares with other jobs in the same country
- Strong
- Among the strongest in that country
- Good
- Stronger than most jobs in that country
- Mixed
- About typical for that country
- Weak
- Weaker than most jobs in that country
This is a rank within one country, not a score you can carry across borders — the registers behind two countries count different people, so the same number means different things in each. It is also why a job can be among the strongest in a country and still show as Competitive: it leads the field in a market that is crowded overall.
Where these come from
Every figure is published by a national statistics office, a public employment service or an EU body, and each card names its source and the period it covers. Some places are counted monthly, others assessed once or twice a year, so two places on the same map can be describing different moments — the date is always shown.
None of this predicts one person's chances. It describes a market.
Explore More
Find your career path and explore the science behind our recommendations.
Could ICT network technician fit you?
Answer three quick questions. This is not a full assessment — it is a teaser to help you decide whether to compare your profile.
Do you enjoy tasks that require Cooperation?
Do you enjoy tasks that require Analytical Thinking?
Do you enjoy tasks that require Attention to Detail?
Future Outlook for ICT network technician
The outlook for ICT network technician reflects a balanced mix of automation exposure and durable, human-led work.
How are these scores calculated?
The Resilience Score (0–100) estimates how structurally protected this occupation is from automation and AI disruption, based on task-level analysis. Higher scores mean more human-judgment-intensive tasks. AI Exposure shows the estimated percentage of task hours that current AI capabilities could affect. These are model-derived structural indicators, not predictions about individual job security.
How could ICT network technician change as AI adoption grows?
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
How AI may change this role
Deterministic, model-based interpretation of current role signals — not a guarantee of replacement.
What still depends on people
- create solutions to problems
- identify suppliers
Where AI may become a co-pilot
- use precision tools
- implement ICT security policies
- use back-up and recovery tools
Tasks most exposed to automation
- analyse network configuration and performance
- maintain internet protocol configuration
Vital Signs & AI Vectors
AI Exposure Vectors
0-100%Exposure to AI-assisted analysis, pattern recognition, and predictive modelling tasks
Exposure to physical automation, robotics, and sensor-driven task displacement
Exposure to content generation, creative augmentation, and large language model tools
Exposure to workflow automation, decision-support software, and process digitisation
Technical Details
NexFuture v3.0 estimates automation exposure natively from ESCO essential-skill groups, weighted by skill mass and calibrated against expert anchors. Scores are probabilistic estimates, not guarantees. See the NexFuture Methodology White Paper for full details.
Measures automation exposure. It does not measure pay, demand, or how many jobs exist near you.
What people in this role usually do
Digital Technology
A typical day as an ICT network technician
09 09:00 · Morning adjust ICT system capacity
10 10:30 · Mid-morning analyse network bandwidth requirements
12 12:00 · Midday analyse network configuration and performance
14 14:00 · Afternoon implement a virtual private network
15 15:30 · Late afternoon implement a firewall
17 17:00 · Wrap-up implement anti-virus software
Task order is illustrative. Individual days vary.
What you need to do this work
The skills, knowledge and tools this role calls for — and the traits and rewards that come with it.
-
implement ICT security policies
Implement statements, assertions or rules that specify the appropriate use and protection of the ICT assets and systems from an organisation. These ICT security policies cover topics such as data classification, password management, access control and incident response.
-
use back-up and recovery tools
Use tools which allow users to copy and archive computer software, configurations and data and recover them in case of loss.
-
implement a virtual private network
Create an encrypted connection between private networks, such as different local networks of a company, over the internet to ensure that only authorized users can access it and that the data cannot be intercepted.
-
implement anti-virus software
Download, install and update software to prevent, detect and remove malicious software, such as computer viruses.
-
implement a firewall
Download, install and update a network security system designed to prevent unauthorized access to a private network.
-
adjust ICT system capacity
Change the scope of an ICT system by adding or reallocating additional ICT system components, such as network components, servers or storage to meet capacity or volume demands.
-
implement ICT network diagnostic tools
Use software tools or components that monitor ICT network parameters, such as performance and throughput, provide data and statistics, diagnose errors, failures or bottlenecks and support decision making.
-
analyse network bandwidth requirements
Study the requirements on the transmission capacity of an ICT network or other telecommunication system.
-
install electronic communication equipment
Set up and deploy digital and analogue electronic communications. Understand electronic diagrams and equipment specifications.
-
install signal repeaters
Set up and configure devices which enhance strength of signal of a communication channel to enable proper reception and reproduction in further places.
-
create solutions to problems
Solve problems which arise in planning, prioritising, organising, directing/facilitating action and evaluating performance. Use systematic processes of collecting, analysing, and synthesising information to evaluate current practice and generate new understandings about practice.
-
identify suppliers
Determine potential suppliers for further negotiation. Take into consideration aspects such as product quality, sustainability, local sourcing, seasonality and coverage of the area. Evaluate the likelihood of obtaining beneficial contracts and agreements with them.
-
analyse network configuration and performance
Analyse essential network data (e.g., router configuration files, routing protocols), network traffic capacity and performance characteristics of ICT networks, such as wide area network and local area network, that connect computers using cable or wireless connections and allow them to exchange data.
-
use precision tools
Use electronic, mechanical, electric, or optical precision tools, such as drilling machines, grinders, gear cutters and milling machines to boost accuracy while machining products.
-
maintain internet protocol configuration
Apply Internet Protocol Configuration (ipconfig) to gather data on Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) configuration values in order to identify devices and their IP addresses.
ICT network cable limitations
The limitations, such as distance limitations and resistance of types of cables, such as fibre cable, coax cable and ethernet cable which are used for realising networks.
ICT network routing
The processes and techniques for choosing the best paths within an ICT network through which a packet can travel.
ICT network security risks
The security risk factors, such as hardware and software components, devices, interfaces and policies in ICT networks, risk assessment techniques that can be applied to assess the severity and the consequences of security threats and contingency plans for each security risk factor.
network standards
Regulated standards that provide the technical guidelines, specifications, and requirements to ensure safe and efficient interoperability between devices, software, equipment, and organisations. Networking standards govern the software and hardware which uses them.
Apache Tomcat
The open-source web server Apache Tomcat provides a Java web server environment which uses a built in container where HTTP requests are loaded, allowing the Java web applications to run on local and server based systems.
Cisco
The products available from the network equipment provider Cisco and methods for selecting and procuring the equipment.
concepts of telecommunications
The telecommunication principles, theories, models, equipment and processes such as transfer rate, bandwidth, signal-to-noise ratio, bit error ratio and C/N ratio, as well as the effect of the qualities of the transmission path on the operation and quality of telecommunications.
electronics principles
The study of electric energy, more specifically electron, control and its prominent principles regarding integrated circuits and electrical systems.
ICT communications protocols
The system of rules which allow the exchange of information between computers or other devices via computer networks.
ICT debugging tools
The ICT tools used to test and debug programs and software code, such as GNU Debugger (GDB), Intel Debugger (IDB), Microsoft Visual Studio Debugger, Valgrind and WinDbg.
ICT security legislation
The set of legislative rules that safeguards information technology, ICT networks and computer systems and legal consequences which result from their misuse. Regulated measures include firewalls, intrusion detection, anti-virus software and encryption.
- ICT networking hardware
See whether this role fits your Career DNA
Take the free Career DNA assessment to see how ICT network technician aligns with your interests, work style, and future path. In less than 10 minutes, you will get a personalized fit signal and a roadmap for what to do next.
Scan to continue on mobilePath to become an ICT network technician
What it typically takes to qualify: education level, where it is a regulated profession, and where to study.
Short-cycle tertiary education
Real programmes leading to this occupation, by country.
Computer Systems and Networks
Growth Pathways & Similar Roles
Explore typical career progression paths, adjacent skills, and similar roles to plan your next transition.
Where does ICT network technician fit?
Similarity scores based on skill overlap from ESCO data.
Frequently asked questions
- What kind of technical skills are most important for an ICT network technician?
- A strong understanding of networking concepts (TCP/IP, DNS, routing protocols), experience with network operating systems, and familiarity with hardware like routers, switches, and firewalls are essential. Troubleshooting skills and the ability to analyze network traffic are also crucial.
- Is this role primarily office-based or does it involve on-site work?
- This role is primarily employment-based. While some tasks can be performed remotely, a significant portion of the work involves on-site installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of network equipment.
- What are the typical working conditions like for an ICT network technician?
- Working conditions can vary. You might spend time in server rooms, data centers, or offices. Expect to occasionally work evenings or weekends to address urgent network issues and ensure minimal disruption to operations. Attention to detail and the ability to work systematically are vital.
- How much does ICT Network Technician pay in the United States?
- $73,340 a year at the median, as of 2025-05. State medians run from $39,570 to $101,750. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is a United States figure and not a projection for Europe.
Sources: ESCO O*NET ELA/EURES Cedefop BLS Data updated September 20, 2026 About our data