How to hire a junior networking engineer

How to hire a junior networking engineer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step junior networking engineer hiring guide:

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

What does a junior networking engineer do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the junior networking engineer you need to hire. Certain junior networking engineer 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

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a junior networking engineer to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a junior networking engineer that fits the bill.

   Here's a comparison of junior networking engineer salaries for various roles:

   Type of Junior Networking Engineer	Description	Hourly rate
   Junior Networking Engineer	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.	$29-54
   Information Technology Administrator	An Information Technology (IT) administrator is a professional responsible for managing the day-to-day operation of an organization's IT systems and ensuring that the systems are running effectively. IT administrators must conduct consistent analyses of the computer system and install updates when needed... Show more	$24-50
   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

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Switches
   • Troubleshoot
   • Lan
   • OSPF
   • Network Infrastructure
   • BGP
   • Lan Wan
   • Series Routers
   • Technical Support
   • TCP/IP
   • Firewall
   • Network Devices
   • IOS
   • VPN

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Configure and manage networks using L3 protocols like RIPv2, IGRP.
   • Utilize bash and python scripting to manage multiple Linux servers used for research.
   • Manage a project for the deployment of Wi-Fi networks at all substations across the province.
   • Formulate SQL queries to automate data acquire from weekly team trackers, saving several hours daily.
   • Manage security solutions, including firewall, anti-virus, and intrusion detection systems.
   • Work on STP and VTP switching technologies.

   More junior networking engineer duties

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, junior networking engineers' average salary in florida is 36% less than in washington.
   • Seniority. Entry-level junior networking engineers 46% less than senior-level junior networking engineers.
   • Certifications. A junior networking engineer 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 junior networking engineer's salary.

   Average junior networking engineer salary

   $84,480yearly

   $40.62 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level junior networking engineer salary

   $62,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 15, 2025

   Average junior networking engineer salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$109,260	$53
   2	Washington	$106,917	$51
   3	Maryland	$97,087	$47
   4	Oregon	$95,588	$46
   5	North Carolina	$94,391	$45
   6	Pennsylvania	$91,965	$44
   7	Texas	$90,487	$44
   8	Connecticut	$89,496	$43
   9	New Jersey	$83,863	$40
   10	Virginia	$82,930	$40
   11	Massachusetts	$82,782	$40
   12	New York	$81,145	$39
   13	Georgia	$78,349	$38
   14	Colorado	$77,632	$37
   15	Illinois	$77,520	$37
   16	Ohio	$76,008	$37
   17	Missouri	$71,593	$34
   18	Minnesota	$70,719	$34
   19	Louisiana	$68,364	$33
   20	Florida	$66,201	$32

   Average junior networking engineer salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Parsons	$110,300	$53.03	43
   2	Q.E.D. Systems	$101,983	$49.03	9
   3	NuAxis Innovations	$101,694	$48.89	1
   4	Kforce	$99,645	$47.91	35
   5	Levi, Ray & Shoup	$96,925	$46.60
   6	Canon	$96,663	$46.47
   7	Arista Networks	$95,474	$45.90	18
   8	Information Management Group	$92,805	$44.62	1
   9	Serco	$91,795	$44.13	64
   10	QED Group	$91,610	$44.04
   11	U.S. Electrical Services	$91,161	$43.83
   12	ASRC Federal	$90,625	$43.57	22
   13	University of California-Berkeley	$87,627	$42.13
   14	ManTech	$87,092	$41.87	76
   15	Jacobs Engineering Group	$85,957	$41.33
   16	PROLIM	$85,435	$41.07
   17	Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Insurance Companies	$85,033	$40.88
   18	Infinity Consulting Solutions	$84,982	$40.86
   19	Gallagher	$84,346	$40.55
   20	Auto-Chlor Services	$83,287	$40.04

4. Writing a junior networking engineer job description

   A job description for a junior networking engineer role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a junior networking engineer job description:

   Junior networking engineer job description example

   1. Maintain data, voice and/or video network hardware and systems;

   2. Assess and update older networks as needed and in accordance with specified plans.

   3. Provide escalated Tier-2 and Tier-3 technical support on data, voice or video networks;

   4. Answer technical questions; recommend and Implement approved course of action.

   5. Install network applications on network servers or voice equipment; Maintain, test, research and resolve problems.

   6. May design, implement or maintain various networks such as LAN, CAN, and voice systems in accordance with specified requirements.

   7. May prepare data or voice network diagrams and drawings to document and assist in communicating current operational status of networks.

   8. Perform data of voice network configurations and configuration changes of various voice or data equipment such as routers, switches, intelligent hubs, multi-function switches, end offices, signaling transfer points, PBX, voice mail, call management systems, etc. to enhance performance

   9. Experience with installation, configuration, and maintenance of McAfee version 7 & 8 Sidewinder Firewalls,

   10. Understand the operation of network protocols and Firewall packet and proxy filters

   11. May be responsible for the configuration, deployment, and management of our customer's next generation firewall solution.

   
   Required Skills, Experience, and Education:

   Four (4) years of experience in programs and contracts of similar scope, type, and complexity are required. Associate's degree in engineering technology from an accredited college is required. Two (2) years of additional network engineering experience may be substituted for an Associate's degree. Certifications: An IAT level II baseline certification as defined by DoD 8570.01-M is required. CCNA, or equivalent, certification or higher required. Both certifications are REQUIRED for this position.

   1. Must be able to lift 50lbs.

   2. Must be able to drive company vehicle.

   3. Must be available to work an 8 hour shift between the hours of 6am-6pm, as determined by management, unless otherwise assigned an alternative shift.

   Experience with installation and configuration of any levels of network devices, such as firewalls, switches, routers, cabling, Cisco, Brocade, or Juniper devices is a plus.
   
   Required Clearance: TS/SCI with Polygraph

   STRATUM NETWORKS OVERVIEW: Stratum Networks is a rapidly growing information assurance and cybersecurity solutions company with expert knowledge of implementing secure infrastructure, providing security integration, development, assessment and training solutions. Our high-end network and security consulting to Department of Defense and Intelligence Community clients create robust, secure network infrastructure, policies, and procedures for local and global, terrestrial and satellite Networks. As leading experts in their fields, our certified and highly experienced network, software development, IT support and security professionals are able to provide the necessary design, implementation, and consulting services to meet the demanding requirements of mission-critical networks. To learn more, visit www.stratumnet.com. Stratum Networks, Inc is an equal opportunity employer, who participates in E-Verify. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, veteran’s status, or any other classification as required by applicable law.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right junior networking engineer 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.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your junior networking engineer job on Zippia to find and recruit junior networking engineer 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 junior networking engineer 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.

   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 junior networking engineer 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 junior networking engineer

   Once you have selected a candidate for the junior networking engineer 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.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new junior networking engineer. 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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