How to hire a data communications specialist

How to hire a data communications specialist, step by step

Here's a step-by-step data communications specialist hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a data communications specialist job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new data communications specialist
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the data communications specialist you need to hire. Certain data communications specialist roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect data communications specialist also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   The following list breaks down different types of data communications specialists and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Data Communications Specialist	Description	Hourly rate
   Data Communications Specialist	Computer network architects design and build data communication networks, including local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), and intranets. These networks range from small connections between two offices to next-generation networking capabilities such as a cloud infrastructure that serves multiple customers.	$25-46
   LAN Administrator	LAN administrators are responsible for maintaining the local area network of an organization. These administrators manage the server that connects an organization's network to computers and equipment that need them... Show more	$20-41
   Systems Support Engineer	Systems support engineers are information technology professionals who are responsible for building and maintaining the IT infrastructure of an organization. They are required to provide network administration and technical support to identify complex problem issues and come up with solutions to solve them... Show more	$29-52

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Switches
   • Routers
   • Troubleshoot
   • Fiber Optic
   • VoIP
   • Data Communications Equipment
   • Lan
   • TCP/IP
   • Linux
   • VPN
   • PC
   • BGP
   • Computer System
   • OSPF

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Project manage the conversion/migration of Novell network resources to a Microsoft NT network.
   • Manage firewalls, endpoint encryption and other communications and systems security devices for large scale networks across distinct complicate infrastructure.
   • Provide PC and UNIX support for end-users.
   • Assist in building and support of LAN servers with Novell and NT client.
   • Consult on MBNA TCP/IP network restructuring.
   • Develop and test technical standards for HBOC using TCP/IP.

   More data communications specialist duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your data communications specialist job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A data communications specialist salary can be affected by several factors, such as geography, experience, seniority, certifications, and the prestige of the hiring company.

   For example, the average salary for a data communications specialist in Colorado may be lower than in Virginia, and an entry-level data communications specialist usually earns less than a senior-level data communications specialist. Additionally, a data communications specialist with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.

   Average data communications specialist salary

   $71,632yearly

   $34.44 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level data communications specialist salary

   $52,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 23, 2026

   Average data communications specialist salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Virginia	$83,990	$40
   2	California	$82,169	$40
   3	New Mexico	$81,358	$39
   4	Louisiana	$79,969	$38
   5	Nevada	$79,653	$38
   6	Alaska	$79,359	$38
   7	Washington	$78,155	$38
   8	Utah	$78,072	$38
   9	Arkansas	$76,890	$37
   10	Mississippi	$76,834	$37
   11	Pennsylvania	$76,833	$37
   12	Georgia	$75,780	$36
   13	South Carolina	$75,761	$36
   14	Massachusetts	$75,413	$36
   15	Iowa	$72,384	$35
   16	New York	$72,356	$35
   17	Delaware	$71,200	$34
   18	Arizona	$69,817	$34
   19	Maryland	$68,815	$33
   20	Minnesota	$68,360	$33

   Average data communications specialist salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Citi	$100,362	$48.25	18
   2	Acxiom	$74,036	$35.59
   3	DFCU Financial	$70,978	$34.12
   4	New York Life Insurance	$67,396	$32.40	5
   5	UPMC	$65,539	$31.51	13
   6	Alamar Biosciences	$64,091	$30.81
   7	KDDI America	$63,472	$30.52
   8	Americorps	$58,323	$28.04	10
   9	Alaska State Library	$44,915	$21.59	3
   10	University of Maine	$40,004	$19.23	3

4. Writing a data communications specialist job description

   A good data communications specialist job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a data communications specialist job description:

   Data communications specialist job description example

   The CDC Foundation helps the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) save and improve lives by unleashing the power of collaboration between CDC, philanthropies, corporations, organizations, and individuals to protect the health, safety and security of America and the world. The CDC Foundation is the go-to nonprofit authorized by Congress to mobilize philanthropic partners and private-sector resources to support CDC's critical health protection mission. Since 1995, the CDC Foundation has raised over $1 billion and launched more than 1,000 programs impacting a variety of health threats from chronic disease conditions including cardiovascular disease and cancer, to infectious diseases like rotavirus and HIV, to emergency responses, including COVID-19 and Ebola. The CDC Foundation managed hundreds of CDC-led programs in the United States and in more than 140 countries last year. Learn more at www.cdcfoundation.org.
   
   The CDC Foundation is working with CDC and state and local authorities to provide surge staff to support surveillance, prevention and response activities within the Overdose Data to Action (OD2A) program. The CDC Foundation seeks candidates for an Evaluation Data Communicator. The Evaluation Data Communicator will review drug overdose program data, develop graphic displays of evaluation results, and use software products to disseminate findings for various audiences. The position will be responsible for creating charts, graphs, and maps for both print and digital platforms.
   
   This position will be assigned to the Northern Kentucky Independent District Health Department in Florence, Kentucky. This position can be performed remotely, or through a hybrid schedule at the Florence, NKYHD office.
   
   Job Highlights:Position Title: Evaluation Data CommunicatorPosition Location: This position will be assigned to the Northern Kentucky Independent District Health Department in Florence, Kentucky. This position can be performed remotely, or through a hybrid schedule at the Florence, NKYHD office. Salary: $65,000-$75,000 with benefits
   
   Minimum Qualifications:A Bachelor's degree in public health, information sciences, graphic design or a related field; Master's degree preferred Minimum of 2 years related work experience or educational equivalent Excellent written and verbal communication and visual skills Expertise with data visualization techniques Excellent organization skills, managing multiple projects simultaneously with competing timelines Experience with data analysis and data visualization using tools such as SAS, Excel, Qualtrics, Atlas Ti, MAXQDAExperience in developing different types of visualization products for diverse audiences Experience with qualitative and quantitative data visualization Demonstrated interest in overdose prevention, substance use disorder treatment, harm reduction, recovery, and/or drug policy Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, Excel, Photoshop, Tableau, GIS and/or related software Demonstrated ability to work well independently and within teams Experience working in a virtual environment with remote partners and teams Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Teams and Zoom
   
   Responsibilities:Perform quantitative and qualitative data analyses to draw conclusions and summarize findings Develop graphics to share information related to drug overdose prevention, harm reduction and linkage to care strategies, syringe service programs, and general program data related to post-overdose response teams and justice-involved initiatives across NCCommunicate results through infographics, 2-page summaries, presentations, reports, tools, and data visualizations for community-based organizations, local health departments, program participants, internal staff, and other audiences Coordinate with NC DHHS communications department and staff to ensure visuals will be understood by diverse populations and efforts align with organizational and community needs Collaborate with program services staff to identify needs and establish program improvement processes Maintain specialized knowledge of overdose prevention and harm reduction response and surveillance efforts Improve data quality for existing data related to the local actions on the NC Opioid and Substance Use Action Plan Data Dashboard. Provide support to Overdose Prevention Program staff on technical assistance efforts by identifying key information and methods to promote use of county-level program data Create standardized data products, templates, and automated report tools for local partners, and ability to provide guidance and training to partners on how to use these tools
   
   Special Notes:This role is involved in a dynamic public health program. As such, roles and responsibilities are subject to change as situations evolve. Roles and responsibilities listed above may be expanded upon or updated to match priorities and needs, once written approval is received by both the CDC Foundation and Northern Kentucky Independent District Health Department in order to best support them in their public health programming.
   
   The CDC Foundation requires all employees to be fully vaccinated* for COVID-19 as a condition of employment effective November 22, 2021. All offers of employment after that date are contingent upon proof of full-vaccination status as a part of the pre-employment process.
   
   *Fully vaccinated is defined as follows: At least two weeks have passed since receipt of the Johnson & Johnson single-dose vaccine, or the second dose of the either the Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech two-dose vaccines.
   
   This position requires the regular operation of a motor vehicle during the course and scope of employment as an essential function of the job. As such, Employees in this position must possess and maintain a valid driver's license in their state of residence, must self-report motor vehicle violations/convictions, and must provide proof of acceptable insurance coverage with mandatory minimum coverages as set forth within the Driver Safety Motor Vehicle Policy (“Policy”). All offers of employment and continued employment for this position are contingent upon meeting all minimum qualifications of this Policy.
   
   All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, mental or physical disabilities, veteran status, and all other characteristics protected by law.
   
   We comply with all applicable laws including E.O. 11246 and the Vietnam Era Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 governing employment practices and do not discriminate on the basis of any unlawful criteria in accordance with 41 C.F.R. §§ 60-300.5(a)(12) and 60-741.5(a)(7). As a federal government contractor, we take affirmative action on behalf of protected veterans.
   The CDC Foundation is a smoke-free environment.
   
   Relocation expenses are not included.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find data communications specialists for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your data communications specialist job on Zippia to find and recruit data communications specialist candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites such as dice, engineering.com, stack overflow, it job pro.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with data communications specialist candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   If your interviews with data communications specialist applicants aren't enough to make a decision, you should also consider including a test project. These are often the best, most straightforward, and least bias-prone ways of determining who will likely succeed in the role. If you don't know how to design an appropriate test, you can ask someone else on the team to create it or take a look at these websites to get a few ideas:

   • TestDome
   • CodeSignal
   • Testlify
   • BarRaiser
   • Coderbyte

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new data communications specialist

   Once you have selected a candidate for the data communications specialist position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new data communications specialist. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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