Network manager
231.1K UK workers · typical pay £50,000 · entry route Postgraduate degree (Level 7+). Projected growth of +10% to 2035.
Real Claude.ai usage mapped to this occupation's SOC group, Apr+May 2026, CC-BY. Claude users only; task times model-estimated; augment/automate is how AI is used, not a count of jobs lost. Method →
Network management is a high-exposure digital role where AI is rapidly automating core tasks like performance monitoring, security threat detection, and traffic optimization. While physical hardware maintenance and high-level strategic planning require human oversight, the shift toward software-defined networking and cloud infrastructure allows AI to handle the majority of routine configuration and troubleshooting.
Cheaper network management unlocks massive expansion in IoT density, edge computing nodes, and more granular network segmentation that was previously cost-prohibitive.
Headcount grows +10%, a Jevons-pattern curve.
Change the scenario in the nav to reshape this curve.
UK employment share by region, SOC-joined to 2132.
Majority-male role (77.6% men).
Five roles with transferable skills and better demand dynamics.
network-manager · dataset 2026.03 · CC-BY-4.0