How To Become A Data Network Engineer: What It Is and Career Path

What is a data network engineer and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted expert

Michael Rudisill

The average data network engineer salary is $97,321. The most common degree is a bachelor's degree degree with an electrical engineering major. It usually takes 1-2 years of experience to become a data network engineer. Data network engineers with a CCNP Service Provider Operations (CCNP) 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.

What general advice would you give to a data network engineer?

Michael Rudisill

Department Head and Professor of Engineering Technology, Northern Michigan University

Patience will be a key - there will be many jobs available - we have been contacted by several employers looking for grads. Still, it certainly is not like we have seen historically. As the economy comes out of the COVID recession, engineering jobs will come back very quickly. By the spring graduation, I think we will be pretty close to back to a somewhat familiar employment picture.

ScoreData Network EngineerUS Average

Salary

7.5

Avg. Salary $97,321

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 13.30%

male 86.70%

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 data network engineer

Explore data network engineer education requirements

Most common data network engineer degrees

Bachelor's

66.9 %

Associate

16.9 %

Master's

11.6 %

Start to develop specific data network engineer skills

Skills	Percentages
BGP	7.00%
Switches	6.99%
EIGRP	5.71%
OSPF	4.94%
Data Network	4.20%

Complete relevant data network engineer training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New data network engineers 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 data network engineer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real data network engineer resumes.

Research data network engineer duties and responsibilities

Implement and manage Cisco AVVID architecture to support efficient use of VoIP.
Manage router configuration changes, coordinate site surveys develop i-plans, update NOC and engineering documentation to reflect changes.
Review IOS bug notices and upgrade IOS software as needed on Cisco switches and routers.
Configure Cisco ASA VPN certificate authentication access for company-manage mobile devices using CiscoAnyconnect.

Prepare your data network engineer resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your data network engineer 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 data network engineer resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable data network engineer resume templates

Build a professional data network engineer 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 data network engineer resume.

Apply for data network engineer jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a data network engineer job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How do data network engineers rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Data network engineer reviews

A zippia user wrote a review on Nov 2019

Cons

outside weather, I work as a network technician and the main problem I always encounter is the cold weather.

A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2019