This article is part of an IT Career News series called Your Next Move. These articles take an inside look at the roles related to CompTIA certifications. Each article includes the responsibilities, qualifications, related job titles and salary range for the role. As you consider the next move in your IT career, check back with CompTIA to learn more about your job prospects and how to get there.
Some of us look at the big picture of how networks help us do our jobs, and others look at the details in the connections and data transfers. Network engineers need to see both when they design the systems that keep the world connected. They need a balance of creativity and analytical thinking – neither skill alone can help them build the best data communication network. If you’re creative and detail oriented, a career in network engineering could be for you.
What Is a Network Engineer?
Network engineers, sometimes known as network architects, are responsible for designing, planning and implementing network infrastructures, including local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs) and intranets. They work on high-level network architecture and often deal with complex network projects and may specialize in specific areas, such as routing, switching or security.
Some responsibilities of a network engineer include:
- Designing, deploying, managing and troubleshooting networks
- Analyzing network traffic and predicting growth to determine future needs
- Presenting to leadership their plans and explaining how they meet the needs of the organization
- Understanding cybersecurity and how it affects networks
- Staying up to date on the latest technologies to determine the best options for their organization
Network engineers may share some of the same responsibilities as network administrators, and in some organizations, a network engineer and network administrator may be one in the same. In organizations that differentiate the role, the network engineer focuses on designing and building networks, while network administrators maintain and manage them.
How to Become a Network Engineer vs. Network Architect
Most network engineers (66%) have a bachelor’s degree, and 15% have a master’s degree in a computer-related field such as computer science, programming or engineering. But as with many IT roles, a college degree isn’t everything. Employers also look for relevant experience in IT systems or network administration. And network engineer jobs often require certifications – either vendor-specific ones for the systems used or vendor-neutral ones like CompTIA Network+.
To become a network architect, IT training and certifications plus hands-on experience prove to employers you have the skills needed for jobs like Network Architect. CompTIA Network+, CompTIA Security+ and CompTIA CySA+ are great options to gain the skills employers look for in Network Architect.
The Details
Network Engineer vs. Network Architect Salary
The median annual wage for network engineers is $81,000, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | 50th Percentile | Median | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
$50K | $63K | $81K | $103K | $131K |
Early Career Mid Career Advanced Career
The median annual wage for network architects is higher at $121,000, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | 50th Percentile | Median | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
$63K | $84K | $121K | $152K | $169K |
Early Career Mid Career Advanced Career
There are many factors that influence salary such as location, job level, years of experience, company size, and more. Visit the CompTIA IT Salary Calculator for more detailed wage data.
Network Engineer Job Outlook
According to CompTIA State of the Tech Workforce, tech occupation employment over the next 10 years is expected to grow at about twice the rate of overall employment across the U.S. economy.
The growth rate for network engineers is projected to be higher than the national rate. On a numeric basis, network engineers is one of the leading tech occupation categories with more than 684,000 jobs in 2021 and nearly 8,500 new jobs to be added this year.
Looking back over the past 12 months, employers in the US posted more than 283,000 jobs seeking network engineers (109,900+) or network architects (173,300+). (Source: Lightcast, July 2022)
Job Titles Related to Network Engineer
- Systems engineer
- Systems administrator
- Unix administrator/engineer
- Network administrator
- Network operations center (NOC) technician
Ready for your next move? Check out the new version of CompTIA Network+.
