Network Engineer Salary & Job Description (2023)

An in-house voice, data, video, and wireless network services support team would be unable to function without the expertise of a network engineer.

While the terms “network engineer” and “network administrator” may be used interchangeably in some contexts, in reality, the former typically entails more high-level managerial duties.

In engineering, planning, design, and technical specifications take center stage. In terms of administration, the focus is on routine tasks like monitoring, managing, and fixing issues that arise.

Jobs may also be classified according to level of training or salary. A network engineer is typically more highly educated and compensated than a network administrator.

Network engineers are predicted to see employment growth of 4% to 7% over the next decade, along with the expansion of related fields.

So, we will quickly write in the section below on network engineer salary, the job description of network engineer, duties of network engineers, the role of network engineers, network engineers requirements, career opportunities as a network engineer, and all you need to know.

Network Engineer Salary & Job Description (2023)

The salary range for a Network Engineer in the United States is between $83,286 and $106,522 on average,. Many factors contribute to salary, such as one’s level of education, professional certifications, the presence or absence of any additional skills, and the length of time one has spent working in a given field.

Engineers in this field are tasked with ensuring that users’ online and onsite IT activities are supported by a reliable and always-available network. Network engineers may work in-house for a company or as consultants for others, and their responsibilities may overlap with those of computer network architects or security systems engineers.

Engineers in this field are responsible for designing networks, putting them into action, troubleshooting problems with their functionality, monitoring their performance, and setting up and configuring security measures like firewalls.

They report to the CIO, CISO, and other business unit heads to discuss and make decisions about the company’s long-term strategy, information security, and network infrastructure.

Network engineers often collaborate with project managers and other engineers on tasks such as capacity management and providing remote and onsite support.

Network Engineer Salary In The Us By State

State	Hourly	Monthly	Annual
Alabama	$36.57	$6,339	$76,067
Alaska	$40.92	$7,092	$85,104
Arizona	$40.11	$6,952	$83,419
Arkansas	$36.12	$6,261	$75,126
California	$46.53	$8,066	$96,788
Colorado	$42.16	$7,308	$87,697
Connecticut	$45.36	$7,862	$94,348
Delaware	$37.84	$6,560	$78,715
District of Columbia	$46.85	$8,120	$97,444
Florida	$42.06	$7,291	$87,489
Georgia	$42.35	$7,341	$88,091
Guam	$25.79	$4,470	$53,640
Hawaii	$36.35	$6,301	$75,608
Idaho	$30.81	$5,341	$64,088
Illinois	$40.77	$7,067	$84,808
Indiana	$35.12	$6,087	$73,048
Iowa	$35.01	$6,069	$72,829
Kansas	$35.04	$6,074	$72,884
Kentucky	$32.59	$5,649	$67,785
Louisiana	$34.19	$5,927	$71,122
Maine	$33.70	$5,841	$70,094
Maryland	$50.76	$8,798	$105,573
Massachusetts	$44.19	$7,660	$91,920
Michigan	$37.71	$6,536	$78,430
Minnesota	$42.08	$7,293	$87,522
Mississippi	$34.45	$5,972	$71,658
Missouri	$38.12	$6,608	$79,295
Montana	$31.64	$5,484	$65,805
Nebraska	$36.10	$6,257	$75,083
Nevada	$45.54	$7,894	$94,731
New Hampshire	$38.59	$6,688	$80,257
New Jersey	$46.73	$8,100	$97,204
New Mexico	$37.30	$6,465	$77,577
New York	$45.61	$7,906	$94,873
North Carolina	$40.97	$7,102	$85,224
North Dakota	$35.46	$6,147	$73,759
Ohio	$37.03	$6,418	$77,019
Oklahoma	$35.60	$6,171	$74,054
Oregon	$37.15	$6,440	$77,282
Pennsylvania	$39.96	$6,926	$83,113
Puerto Rico	$24.41	$4,230	$50,763
Rhode Island	$40.99	$7,105	$85,257
South Carolina	$36.04	$6,248	$74,973
South Dakota	$31.33	$5,430	$65,160
Tennessee	$38.26	$6,632	$79,579
Texas	$43.89	$7,608	$91,296
Utah	$37.94	$6,576	$78,912
Vermont	$39.62	$6,868	$82,413
Virgin Islands	$27.60	$4,785	$57,414
Virginia	$47.30	$8,199	$98,385
Washington	$43.91	$7,612	$91,340
West Virginia	$30.15	$5,227	$62,720
Wisconsin	$35.47	$6,147	$73,770
Wyoming	$31.73	$5,500	$66,002

Engineered Network Description

Data, voice, video, and wireless network services all rely on the expertise of network engineers, who are technologists specially trained to keep them running smoothly.

A network engineer may also be referred to as an IT network architect. According to the network engineering definition, a field engineer is responsible for the design, development, and maintenance of an organization’s entire system of computer networks.

Network engineers’ primary responsibility is to ensure that their networks’ infrastructure, security, and performance are optimized for their customers.

Depending on the size and scope of a company’s network, it may employ global network engineers located in offices across the globe to manage the implementation of new technologies. Companies save money by utilizing this global network of engineers to provide for their customers’ and their own needs.

Technician Abilities for a Career in Network Engineering

A network engineer’s job is to design, build, and manage the computer networks that power an organization’s internal voice, data, video, and wireless network services.

In order to support users’ on-premises and off-premises IT endeavors, network engineers prioritize the provision of highly available network infrastructure.

As more hardware components are virtualized, the difficulties that network management systems face in dealing with the virtual network will only increase. Engineers in the field of networking must be well-rounded in other areas as well, including analysis, leadership, communication, and organization.

Getting Started in the Field of Network Engineering

Knowing your desired area of concentration in the computer networking industry is essential before beginning work in the field. Even just the business of networking is massive. Security, server administration, WAN monitoring, NOC (network operation center) checking, NOC (network operations center) checking, workspace organization, cabling, equipment installation (including switches and enterprise routers), and so on are all possible areas of focus. Pick a subfield that piques your curiosity.

Certified computer network professionals typically have at least a bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer engineering, or a closely related field.

It’s possible to teach yourself the fundamentals of network engineering. A CCNA Home Lab, for example, will only set you back a few hundred dollars and provide you with a great foundation to build upon.

But if you are just getting started in this field, you might do well to enroll in a university or other institution of higher learning that offers a concentration in networking.

The Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) is a great place to start if you’re interested in certifications in the networking industry, though any of the top five certifications (CCIE, CCNP, JNCIE-ENT, CompTIA Network+, and WCNA) would be a good choice as well. Further accreditations are detailed below.

Credentials and education for network engineers

There are a variety of places you can go to get trained as a network engineer, including universities and other organizations. There are a number of organizations that offer certifications that can be added to a resume.

The Cisco Engineering Certification Program provides several tiers of professional development education for engineers, and many choose to advance their careers by passing its exams.

A wide variety of other vendors and groups, including Microsoft, Aruba, Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise, Riverbed Technology, SolarWinds, HPE, Extreme Networks, and the IPv6 Forum, offer certifications as well.

Popular certifications for network engineers include:

• CompTIA Network+
• Cisco Certified Technician (CCT) Routing & Switching
• Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
• Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)
• Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE)
• VMware Certified Professional — Network Virtualization (VCP-NV)

Jobs in network engineering that are more specialized

As a network engineer, you may choose to focus on one of several areas, such as

Engineers who specialize in cloud networking help businesses set up their cloud computing systems.

Engineers specializing in LANs are responsible for the setup and upkeep of large LANs in businesses.

Experts in network security can identify potential dangers and implement safeguards.

VoIP, telecommunications, and the design of data centers are all areas in which a network engineer may choose to focus.

Profession Opportunities for Network Engineers

There is a wide variety of specializations open to network engineers. Some professionals, like network analysts, work in both the technical and business aspects of an organization. Managers of networks perform similar functions but are also responsible for mentoring and guiding network engineers.

Besides network engineer, the following occupations are suited to someone with networking expertise:

• Network Manager
• Network Analyst
• Network Administrator
• Network Specialist
• Network Technician
• Network Solutions Architect

Network Specialist

A network administrator’s typical day entails keeping tabs on interconnected PCs and making sure each user has access to the resources they need.

Someone who specializes in networks is responsible for making sure they are efficient. Collecting data on the network’s performance, maintaining network security, and troubleshooting are all examples of what this term can refer to.

A network specialist may be responsible for uninstalling and reinstalling programs, supervising the education of fresh network users, and authorizing their access to restricted areas.

‍Network Technician

Technicians in this field keep tabs on the workings of a company’s network and may even assist with its software and hardware setup. To ensure the security of all systems and data, they should collaborate with clients and other network experts to design and implement new safeguards.

PC problems are something that network technicians can help with, as well as figuring out the best way to meet an organization’s technological needs.

Network Administrator

In businesses, it is the job of the network administrator (also known as the system administrator) to ensure that the company’s computer network is always secure, up-to-date, and functioning without any major problems. A network administrator is necessary for any business that makes use of more than one computer or program platform.

Depending on the size of the company and the complexity of its networks, the scope of this role’s discretionary authority can be wide or narrow. A network administrator’s duties can vary, but typically include the following.

• Establishing a Data Center and Network
• Care for and improvement of computer hardware and software
• Issues with the network’s hardware, software, and infrastructure must be identified and fixed.
• Keeping an eye on infrastructure to help it run better.

Network Analyst

An analyst’s job includes setting up and maintaining networks for businesses. Many network analysts find that they play an integral role on both the business and technical sides of an organization, where they are responsible for identifying business issues and implementing technical solutions.

It is necessary for an organization to have a network analyst who can design, plan, analyze, and provide technical support for data communication networks or groups of networks. Research and evaluation of network technology can also be a part of the job.

The IT sector is always hiring, especially for people with experience in troubleshooting projects, and this position is common in large retailers, government agencies, and banks.

Network Manager

A network manager has two responsibilities:

Management of the organization’s computer networks, including their setup and upkeep.

Staff members will receive training and preparation to ensure they can provide exceptional specialized assistance.

It is the responsibility of the network manager to have a backup plan ready to implement in the event of a system outage. In today’s technologically dependent economy, this is essential. In addition, a manager of networks may be responsible for more than one type of network, depending on the scope of the organization.

As a company evolves and expands, it is the responsibility of the network manager to create new networks and infrastructure. As critical as project managers, network engineers, and support staff are to an IT department, network managers must also have a firm grasp on the operational and service-level requirements of a company.

Network Engineer

Computer networks are the bread and butter of network engineers, who use IT to build shared infrastructures for their companies. LANs, WANs, intranets, and extranets are all types of information networks. Depending on the nature of the company, a single dedicated specialist or a team of cross-functional associate engineers working with the Chief Technology Officer may be best suited to manage the network. Security and authority for network engineers can vary depending on their expertise, experience, and role.

Network Support Engineer

Level 2 Support Engineer

Network Engineer – Field Installation

Network Engineer – Helpdesk Analyst

Senior Managed Service Network Engineer

Comparison of Network Engineer and Network Administrator

The terms “network engineer” and “network administrator” are frequently used interchangeably, leading to confusion. Since both come from the same root but serve different purposes, let’s take a look at the main differences between them:

It is the job of a network engineer to plan and implement both wired and wireless networks, while it is the job of a network administrator to keep them running smoothly.

Both a network engineer and a network administrator are responsible for ensuring the smooth operation of a network and for enforcing any necessary security measures.

A bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer science, engineering, or computer programming is typically required for a career as a network engineer.

While some companies will hire people without a degree, many others prefer to hire people who have certifications in areas like Cisco, Juniper, Microsoft, and Red Hat.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a career path in network engineering, in this guide, we have written in detail the network engineer salary, job description of network engineer, duties of network engineers, the role of network engineers, network engineers requirements, career opportunities as a network engineer and all you need to know.