Network Administrator / Network Engineer
AI Impact Verdict: Network Administrator / Network Engineer
Risk Level:HIGH (78%)•Timeline:5-10 years (routine administration)
This role faces substantial automation risk. Many tasks are repetitive or data-driven, making them prime candidates for AI replacement. Proactive career planning is strongly recommended.
Network Administrator / Network Engineer faces a 78% AI displacement risk. Workers who don't adapt to AI tools face significant career disruption. The median salary is $96,800, with AI projected to shift compensation by -12%. Our analysis covers timeline, adaptation strategies, and skills that remain valuable.
Source: What About AI? Career Assessment ·
Technology & IT
Task-Based Role
Your Risk Without AI Skills
Most workers will need AI skills to stay competitive
AI isn't replacing jobs—people using AI are replacing people who don't
78%
HIGH RISK
What this means: Most workers in this field will need AI skills to stay competitive. Those who learn now will have a significant advantage over those who wait.
Full Replacement
55%probability
Complete job elimination risk
Timeline
5-10 years (routine administration)
When major changes expected
Replaced By
AI
Primary automation technology
This Job Isn't Going Away—But Who Does It Is Changing
Full automation risk: 55% (chance AI replaces the role entirely)
Risk without AI skills: 78% (chance AI-equipped workers replace you)
This 23-point gap is your opportunity. The role will exist, but it will go to workers who use AI. Be one of them.
Analysis updated February 2026
What Experts Say
"AI-driven network management processes vast amounts of telemetry data and makes real-time predictive decisions that traditional tools simply cannot match. The network administrator role is evolving from manual operator to AI supervisor."
AI Impact Overview
This role faces substantial automation risk. Many tasks are repetitive or data-driven, making them prime candidates for AI replacement. Proactive career planning is strongly recommended.
Network Administrator / Network Engineer Salary & AI Impact on Pay
Compensation Overview
$96,800
Median Annual Salary (2024)
$60,320$150,320
10th percentile90th percentile
-12%Downward pressure from AI
AIOps platforms reduce alert noise by 90% and automate routine monitoring, configuration, and troubleshooting. BLS projects 4% employment decline through 2034 as cloud migration and AI automation reduce demand for traditional network administration roles.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Network Administrator / Network Engineer Task Breakdown: What AI Can & Can't Do
AI Can Handle
- Network Monitoring and AlertingAIOps platforms like Moogsoft reduce alert noise by 90% through intelligent event correlation, replacing manual log analysis and alert triage
- Configuration ManagementAI-driven tools auto-generate and deploy network configurations based on policy templates, reducing manual CLI work by 54% across adopting organizations
- Routine TroubleshootingAI analyzes telemetry data to diagnose common network issues and apply fixes autonomously, with 67% of IT teams now using automation for monitoring
Human + AI Together
- AI-Powered Anomaly DetectionML models identify unusual traffic patterns and potential security threats that rule-based systems miss, letting admins focus on sophisticated attack vectors
- Predictive Capacity PlanningAI forecasts bandwidth needs and hardware lifecycle based on usage trends, enabling admins to make proactive infrastructure investment decisions
- Automated Compliance ReportingAI tools continuously audit network configurations against security frameworks and generate compliance reports, freeing admins for strategic security work
Uniquely Human
- Network Architecture DesignDesigning network topology for new offices, data centers, or hybrid cloud environments requires understanding business workflows, growth projections, and physical constraints
- Vendor and Contract NegotiationEvaluating ISP proposals, hardware procurement, and service level agreements requires business acumen and relationship management that AI cannot provide
- Incident Command During OutagesLeading cross-functional response teams during major outages requires human communication, prioritization under pressure, and real-time decision making
Past 3 Years
- AI-powered network monitoring detects anomalies automatically
- Self-healing networks resolve many issues without human intervention
- Cloud networking reduced on-premises infrastructure management
- Automated provisioning handles routine configuration
- Security AI identifies and responds to threats in real-time
2-5 Year Outlook
- Routine network management will be increasingly automated
- Security and complex troubleshooting will remain human-centered
- Cloud and hybrid network expertise will be essential
- Zero trust and advanced security require ongoing expertise
- Roles will evolve toward cloud engineering and security
Research-Backed Timeline for Network Administrator / Network Engineer
3-5 yearsResearch
AI agents will reshape infrastructure and operations, with teams evolving from operators who do tasks to leaders who supervise AI-driven systems
Source: Gartner
2-4 yearsExpert Estimate
Prepare for AI, security, and integrated network infrastructure and operations as AI-driven network automation becomes standard practice across enterprises
Source: Forrester
5-10 yearsResearch
Employment of network and computer systems administrators projected to decline 4% from 2024 to 2034 as cloud services and automation reduce demand
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Adaptation Strategies
- 1Develop cloud networking expertise across platforms
- 2Build network security and zero trust skills
- 3Master automation and infrastructure-as-code
- 4Focus on complex troubleshooting and design
- 5Learn application and cloud architecture
- 6Consider cybersecurity specialization for career growth
Companies Already Using AI in Network Administrator / Network Engineer Roles
Juniper Networks2024
Launched AI-Native Networking Platform with Marvis virtual assistant and Mist AI that automates network operations, reducing IT support tickets significantly at customers like SiriusXM and Dartmouth College
Source: SiliconANGLE
Microsoft2024
Deployed AIOps and Network Infrastructure Copilot internally to enhance network reliability, with AI-driven automation saving over 11,000 hours in network service management
Source: Microsoft Inside Track Blog
Career Pivot Options for Network Administrator / Network Engineer
Lower-risk roles that leverage your existing skills
Cybersecurity Analyst
Network administration skills directly transfer to security roles as organizations converge networking and security operations
Skills gap:
Cloud Computing Engineer
Cloud migration transforms traditional network roles into cloud infrastructure and virtual network management positions
Skills gap:
Deep Dives: Podcasts & Guides
GuideFeb 2026
12 to 18 Months: What AI Leaders Are Predicting for Knowledge Work
Suleyman says 12–18 months. Amodei says 1–3 years. Altman, Musk, and Hassabis converge on the same window. These aren’t fringe voices — they’re the people building the technology. Here’s what it means for every knowledge worker.
Read Guide
PodcastFeb 2026
Opus 4.6 vs GPT 5.3 — We Tested Both
Anthropic and OpenAI both dropped major models. Here's what it means for workers.
Listen Now
PodcastFeb 2026
Claude Cowork: The AI Desktop Agent
Anthropic's secure desktop agent changes everything for sales, marketing, and admin.
Listen Now
JAAI Strategy Consultant • Updated 2026
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