Will AI replace network engineers?
Updated
Network engineers score 59 of 100 for AI exposure. The largest share of their task time, 64%, is work AI speeds up while they stay in charge. AI can take over 25% outright, and 11% stays with people.
- 25% AI can do it
- 64% AI helps
- 11% Needs a person
High exposure
Higher than 89% of the 923 occupations we scored.
Task by task
We graded 26 tasks, listed here from most to least exposed. AI can do 7 of them today, speeds up 16 and leaves 3 to people.
| Task | AI exposure |
|---|---|
| Document help desk requests and resolutions. AI drafts ticket resolutions from chat and call notes. | 75% AI can do it |
| Create or revise user instructions, procedures, or manuals. AI drafts user guides and procedures; staff review accuracy. | 75% AI can do it |
| Run monthly network reports. Monthly reports can be generated from data pipelines automatically. | 75% AI can do it |
| Document network support activities. AI drafts support notes from tickets and activity records. | 70% AI can do it |
| Monitor industry Web sites or publications for information about patches, releases, viruses, or potential problem identification. AI agents can scan advisories and summarize relevant patches. | 70% AI can do it |
| Maintain logs of network activity. Logs are machine generated; AI can summarize and flag anomalies. | 70% AI can do it |
| Create or update technical documentation for network installations or changes to existing installations. AI drafts docs and diagrams from configs; staff verify. | 68% AI can do it |
| Research hardware or software products to meet technical networking or security needs. AI compares products and specs quickly; buying choices need people. | 65% AI helps |
| Analyze network data to determine network usage, disk space availability, or server function. AI can summarize usage and capacity data; humans act on findings. | 58% AI helps |
| Analyze and report computer network security breaches or attempted breaches. AI speeds log review and report drafting; analysts judge incidents. | 55% AI helps |
Show the other 16 tasks
| Task | AI exposure |
|---|---|
| Evaluate local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN) performance data to ensure sufficient availability or speed, to identify network problems, or for disaster recovery purposes. AI spots trends in performance metrics; engineers confirm causes. | 55% AI helps |
| Configure security settings or access permissions for groups or individuals. AI drafts permission sets; admins must approve access changes. | 45% AI helps |
| Troubleshoot network or connectivity problems for users or user groups. AI guides troubleshooting steps; live diagnosis stays with technician. | 45% AI helps |
| Configure and define parameters for installation or testing of local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), hubs, routers, switches, controllers, multiplexers, or related networking equipment. AI drafts test parameters; engineers validate equipment settings. | 45% AI helps |
| Identify the causes of networking problems, using diagnostic testing software and equipment. AI helps reason through logs; physical tests still needed. | 40% AI helps |
| Configure wide area network (WAN) or local area network (LAN) routers or related equipment. AI generates config templates; device changes need engineer oversight. | 40% AI helps |
| Provide telephone support related to networking or connectivity issues. Voice AI handles routine calls; live escalations stay with staff. | 40% AI helps |
| Test computer software or hardware, using standard diagnostic testing equipment and procedures. Software tests are automatable; hardware testing needs bench work. | 40% AI helps |
| Back up network data. AI can script and verify backups; people take responsibility for restores. | 35% AI helps |
| Install network software, including security or firewall software. Software installs are scriptable; firewall changes need review. | 35% AI helps |
| Train users in procedures related to network applications software or related systems. AI builds training materials; live user coaching stays human. | 35% AI helps |
| Install new hardware or software systems or components, ensuring integration with existing network systems. Hardware racking is physical; software integration can be AI assisted. | 25% AI helps |
| Install and configure wireless networking equipment. Mounting access points is physical; config work is AI assisted. | 25% AI helps |
| Test repaired items to ensure proper operation. Checking repaired hardware physically needs a technician present. | 20% Needs a person |
| Perform routine maintenance or standard repairs to networking components or equipment. Physical repairs on switches and cabinets need a technician on site. | 15% Needs a person |
| Install or repair network cables, including fiber optic cables. Pulling and splicing cables is physical work done on site. | 3% Needs a person |
How network engineers compare
All occupations (923)
Computer and mathematical (36)
Pay and outlook in the US
- Median pay
- $76,220 a year, May 2025
- People employed
- 146,190 in the US, May 2025
- Projected change in jobs
- +1.2% from 2024 to 2034
Skills to build
- Splice fiber optic cables on site with a fusion splicer
- Restore network data from backups in Windows Server
- Troubleshoot Active Directory replication faults on live domain controllers
- Write and approve firewall rule changes in firewall software
- Review AI-drafted ServiceNow tickets before closing them
Safer roles nearby
5 related occupations with lower scores.
Questions about network engineers and AI
Will network engineers be replaced by AI?
Partly. About 5 in 10 working hours go to tasks AI can already do, mostly documenting help desk requests and running monthly network reports. Cable work, hardware repair and on-site testing stay with people because they need a technician standing at the equipment.
Which tasks are AI taking over for network engineers?
AI takes over documenting help desk requests, writing user procedures and running monthly network reports, each with an exposure score of 75. These are text and data tasks, and the tickets, logs and pipelines they draw on are already machine generated.
Which network engineer tasks stay human?
Installing or repairing network cables, including fiber optic cables, has an exposure score of 3, the lowest in this job. Routine repairs on switches score 15 and testing repaired items scores 20, since both need a technician working on the hardware in person.
How can network engineers stay valuable?
Build hands-on fiber splicing and rack repair skills, which carry the lowest exposure in this job. Go deep on Active Directory and firewall software, then review every AI-drafted ServiceNow ticket and Windows Server backup before sign-off. Testing restores and approving firewall changes keep a named person accountable.
Related jobs
Next steps for network engineers
Check which roles in your team AI can take on
We map your team's tasks, show what AI can do today and build the automations that pay back first.
Related topics
- Jobs AI can't replaceCement masons score lowest, at 8.
- Jobs most at risk from AIProofreaders score highest, at 76.
- High-paying jobs with low AI exposureRadiologists earn a median $420,860 and score 46.
- Entry-level jobs with low AI exposureCement masons need little prior training and score 8.
- Jobs AI speeds up the mostFor natural sciences managers, AI speeds up 96% of task time.
- AI and jobs in Malta15 iGaming roles graded task by task.
- Skills that keep work humanThe skills to build in the jobs AI changes least.
- Jobs A to ZEvery job we publish, by first letter.
- AI exposure by industryAverage scores for 22 occupation groups.
- Write a CV screening software can readHow applicant tracking systems read a CV, and what to change.
- AI for businessesThe tasks to automate first in each team and industry.
- How we score AI exposureThe grading, the weights and every source.