How To Become A Computer Networker: What It Is and Career Path

What is a computer networker and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

The average computer networker salary is $71,766. The most common degree is a bachelor's degree degree with an computer science major. It usually takes 1-2 years of experience to become a computer networker. Computer networkers with a Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification earn more money. Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 5% and produce 18,200 job opportunities across the U.S.

ScoreComputer NetworkerUS Average

Salary

5.6

Avg. Salary $71,766

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

5.7

Growth rate 5%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

3.6

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.31%

Asian 13.74%

Black or African American 7.89%

Hispanic or Latino 11.61%

Unknown 5.00%

White 61.44%

Gender

female 11.79%

male 88.21%

Age - 42

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 42

Stress level

5.7

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

6.7

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

7.1

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a computer networker

Explore computer networker education requirements

Most common computer networker degrees

Bachelor's

45.5 %

Associate

34.5 %

Master's

6.4 %

Start to develop specific computer networker skills

Skills	Percentages
Switches	11.79%
DNS	10.86%
TCP/IP	10.10%
Encryption	8.54%
Firewall	7.56%

Complete relevant computer networker training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New computer networkers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a computer networker based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real computer networker resumes.

Research computer networker duties and responsibilities

Design, install, configure and manage Citrix XenApp/XenDesktop environment.
Install and configure switches, routers, and servers in racks and provide physical connections to the LAN's on-site.
Support and maintain VoIP phones.
Gain familiarity with TCP/IP, network protocols and Linux operating system.

Prepare your computer networker resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your computer networker resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a computer networker resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable computer networker resume templates

Build a professional computer networker resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your computer networker resume.