How to hire a data network technician

How to hire a data network technician, step by step

Here's a step-by-step data network technician 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 network technician job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new data network technician
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your data network technician job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a data network technician for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

   A data network technician's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, data network technicians from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   Here's a comparison of data network technician salaries for various roles:

   Type of Data Network Technician	Description	Hourly rate
   Data Network Technician	Computer networks are critical parts of almost every organization. Network and computer systems administrators are responsible for the day-to-day operation of these networks.	$23-56
   Systems Administrator	Systems administrators are employees who oversee information technology infrastructures in the office. They are skilled information technology professionals who are knowledgeable about the company's network systems and other technology-related infrastructures... Show more	$28-48
   Administrator	Administrators are administrative professionals who oversee the whole office or department. They manage office activities and supervise administrative functions in the office... Show more	$22-54

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Switches
   • Network Equipment
   • CCNA
   • Telecommunication
   • Fiber Optic
   • Windows
   • Network Services
   • Network Infrastructure
   • Trouble Tickets
   • Data Network Systems
   • TCP/IP
   • Lan
   • Patch Panels
   • VoIP

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage the day-to-day operations of telecommunication services utilize by DuPont.
   • Install new or troubleshot and replace faulty Cat6 lines and connectors where need for VoIP install.
   • Create and run Ethernet cables after testing to ensure they are tip properly.
   • Inventory all computers on base and verify their connections to the CPU and Ethernet ports.
   • Utilize UNIX tools and analysis systems to perform call traces to replicate call and data scenarios through the network switches.
   • Install and implementation various types of servers/computers, printers, and networking equipment effectively provide quality service and installation for customers.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your data network technician job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A data network technician can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, data network technicians' average salary in montana is 51% less than in hawaii.
   • Seniority. Entry-level data network technicians 58% less than senior-level data network technicians.
   • Certifications. A data network technician with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a data network technician's salary.

   Average data network technician salary

   $76,522yearly

   $36.79 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level data network technician salary

   $49,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 19, 2026

4. Writing a data network technician job description

   A good data network technician 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 network technician job description:

   Data network technician job description example

   Time Type: Full time
   Minimum Clearance Required to Start: None
   
   Employee Type: Regular
   
   Percentage of Travel Required: Up to 50%
   
   Type of Travel: Local
   
   CACI is seeking a Network Data Technician who under limited direction, assist with and conduct data switch audits, assessments, design, implementation, configuration, and survey for switch installation infrastructure requirements.
   
   Duties and Responsibilities:
   Research and provide information on data switches, racks/cabinets, power, and other installation infrastructure considerations. Provide assistance with testing of new and existing data networking circuits. Assist with site surveys and documents current site configuration, equipment rack inventory, and user requirements. Follow engineering installation packages and work with installation team. Assist with switch and other related equipment installation, signal cable installations and cable connections and labeling. Assist with documenting configuration changes at each site. Requires travel to various customer sites (up to 50%). Understand and adhere to all CACI Ethical and Compliance policies. Proactively ensure a safe work environment and adhere to CACI EH&S policies and procedures. Perform other duties as required.
   
   Requirements:
   Must be a US Citizen with the ability to obtain a Secret clearance. Proficient in MS Office Suite. Attention to detail is required. Provides assistance in the surveying and designing of the Data Network Willingness to learn Data Networking design and implementation Experience testing telecommunications equipment/systems and following standard test procedures. Experience in using common test equipment (e.g. digital test sets, Optical Power Meter, Cat 5/6 test set, Multi-Meter). Proficiency in Microsoft Visio
   
   Desired:
   Experience with AutoCAD AA Degree
   
   What We Can Offer You:
   We've been named a Best Place to Work by the Washington Post. Our employees value the flexibility at CACI that allows them to balance quality work and their personal lives. We offer competitive benefits and learning and development opportunities. We are mission-oriented and ever vigilant in aligning our solutions with the nation's highest priorities. For over 55 years, the principles of CACI's unique, character-based culture have been the driving force behind our success.
   
   Company Overview: At CACI, you will have the opportunity to make an immediate impact by providing information solutions and services in support of national security missions and government transformation for Intelligence, Defense, and Federal Civilian customers. CACI is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Females/Minorities/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities.
   
   As a federal contractor, CACI is subject to any federal vaccine mandates or other customer vaccination requirements. All new hires are required to report their vaccination status.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right data network technician for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   To find data network technician candidates, you can consider the following options:

   • Post your job opening on Zippia or other job search websites.
   • Use niche websites that focus on engineering and technology jobs, such as dice, engineering.com, stack overflow, it job pro.
   • Post your job on free job posting websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit data network technicians, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   Sometimes, it's not enough to interview data network technician candidates, so you can ask them to do a test project. If you are not a technical person and don't know what a test project should be, you can use these websites:

   • 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 network technician

   Once you've found the data network technician candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   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.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new data network technician. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

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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