Network Engineer Salary, Skills, and Career Path

Although the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) doesn’t report on network engineers specifically, we can use its reporting on network and computer systems administrators to get an idea of the job outlook. According to BLS, employment of network and computer systems administrators is projected to grow five percent from 2020 to 2030, slower than the average for all occupations. Computer network architects and engineers design and build data communication networks and monitor network systems. These could range in size from a connection between a couple of offices to an intricate cloud infrastructure serving a multinational company.

With more open networking engineer positions than available candidates, networking is absolutely an occupation worth considering. High salary levels, a positive job outlook, and high job satisfaction are just a few of the reasons why a network engineering career could be a great option for you. Training courses and certifications demonstrate that you have the knowledge and expertise necessary for the job, which can lead to better job opportunities and higher salaries.

How to become a network engineer without a degree?

Connect with thousands of other active learners and existing certificate holders to ask questions and share your learning journey. Landing satisfactory network engineer freelance jobs is no more difficult than getting permanently employed in the neighborhood. https://remotemode.net/become-a-windows-network-engineer/ With appropriate qualifications and skill sets, you will be able to find a remote position to suit your schedule in no time. Many engineers prefer in-house jobs to commuting on a daily basis, but freelancing does not necessarily imply that.

  • Network technicians or engineers are in charge of developing the networks and systems within an organization.
  • Working in larger companies often means specializing in one area of network engineering, such as architecture, security, or administration.
  • Becoming a good network engineer requires a strong technical foundation, hands-on experience, and a commitment to staying up-to-date with emerging technologies.
  • You also embody the perfect blend of network and IT experience, certifications, training, education, and problem-solving capabilities.

After receiving the necessary education, you’ll need to decide what type of network engineer you’re going to be. Different companies use different types of hardware and software, so specializing in a specific type of networking practice can be beneficial. Much like a network technician, a network administrator configures router emulators and switches. However, network administrators are the ones who look after the network systems within a company. Once the network has been developed, it is the responsibility of the network administrator to maintain it. Network engineers are also tasked with keeping company server systems stable and minimizing network faults for faster network performance.

Know Your Measure: How to Measure Your Worth as a Network Engineer?

For entry-level network engineer jobs, you’ll first need to get your bachelor’s degree in network engineering, information systems, IT, or computer engineering. You can then gain critical on-the-job experience to become a valued member of your team and move up within your organization or onto other senior-level opportunities. Once you have found an entry level position in a network engineering role, it is important to remain curious and constantly learn new trends and perspectives within the world of network engineering and cybersecurity. Continuing to build your knowledge and experience through continued studies, training courses, and certifications is a must to remain on the bleeding edge of the ever-changing world of network and cyber security. Network technology is rapidly changing, which requires network engineers to be consistently learning and changing. While working, you may find it important to receive additional certification.

steps to become a network engineer

And while the national average yearly salary for a senior role is around $108,000, it is not uncommon to see senior network engineers at major corporation making salaries of $175,000 and higher. The career path for a network engineer involves jobs as a data architect, design engineer, and network engineer. The career path for a network engineer involves specific education, training, professional experience, certifications, and skills. It also has many on-and-off ramps to a variety of other career paths in the tech field. Control systems staff engineers are seasoned professionals overseeing critical infrastructure and providing technical support across the board.

Network Engineering and Security – B.S.

Computer networks are the backbone of modern information technology systems and allow devices such as computers, servers, routers, switches, and other network devices to communicate with each other. They also configure and maintain https://remotemode.net/ network devices, monitor network performance, and troubleshoot network issues as they arise. Network engineers can work in a variety of industries, including healthcare, finance, government, and technology, among others.

  • Bootcamps like Code Fellows can teach you a lot of practical networking skills, especially in the realm of network security.
  • We have a great article about the 10 top books for Network Engineers, check it out!
  • The one thing that set Cisco and Juniper tests apart from other vendors are the router emulators.
  • The biggest problem is that working in the Army, Air Force, Navy or Marines is often misunderstood.
  • In this guide, we will explore what a network engineer is and what the role involves before giving you our 5 steps on how to become a network engineer.
  • It is the trusted resource for security professionals who need to maintain regulatory compliance for their teams and organizations.

A network engineer is responsible for managing a company’s network hardware and software, as well as dealing with network issues. They are in charge of making local area networks (LANs) and wide area networks (WANs) accessible while ensuring that company personnel can safely and securely access the Internet. Entry-level network engineers must be familiar with network types, topologies, and models. They should be well-versed in how protocols and standards enable network activity and know how to set up and configure wireless and wired network devices. You can gain these fundamental IT skills with IBM’s online course, Introduction to Networking and Storage. Sometimes poring over the Career Builder website or the LinkedIn job boards can yield you a nice selection of network jobs you may qualify for without having a certification.