As of December 2023, the average base salary for a network engineer in the US is $100,626 [1]. The amount you earn depends on factors like industry, company, location, and experience. At smaller companies, you may be responsible for both architecture and security.

As we’ve mentioned before, there are many ways for network professionals to get their education. Some paths take longer than others, but each can take your skills and expertise as a network technician to a new level. A coding bootcamp can help you develop in-demand skills and knowledge within a few months. Signing up for one of the best networking bootcamps is a great idea for anyone trying to learn to code and acquire other hard skills for their network engineering career. If you’re just starting, becoming a network engineer will take at least four years. With certifications and master’s degrees, you can progress further in your career.

What learners who have completed these courses say

You can specialize in most professions from home using online courses and classes. You can increase your skills and knowledge from home by looking up online cyber security courses and online bootcamps, or by studying for a certification exam. Much like a network technician, a network administrator configures router emulators and switches.

• Vendor-neutral certifications can validate your skills to potential employers.
• After a while this blog will also become your CV which you can show to potential employers, even advertise your services on there.
• If you enjoy technology and the internet and wireless and networks then why not get paid to do what you enjoy.
• If you’re just starting, becoming a network engineer will take at least four years.
• A technical job interview is the most important step towards getting a job.

While network engineers and network administrators focus on building the company’s internal network using routers and proxy servers, software developers add coding skills to the table. A software developer with practical knowledge of networks is likely to be more effective at using backend programming technologies like Python and Oracle. The tech side of network engineering is also evolving on a continual basis, so no matter what your educational path, you’ll need to make lifelong learning a key priority. There is a shortage of qualified professionals and a high demand for network engineers, so the salaries, job opportunities, and job outlook for network engineers are all excellent. Whether you’re looking to change careers completely or are seeking fresh and exciting opportunities within the tech industry, network engineering can take your career to new heights.

Current opportunities

If you’re interested in becoming a network engineer, start building job-related skills in less than 6 months. Consider completing a Google IT Support Professional Certificate on Coursera. This programme covers how to perform common IT support tasks, help desk engineer provide comprehensive customer support, and use popular systems such as Linux and Binary Code. With this certification, you can look for your first IT position, or build on these skills to move into more advanced IT and network support positions.