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How to hire a lan/wan engineer

Lan/wan engineer hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring lan/wan engineers in the United States:

  • HR departments typically spend 15% of their expenses on recruitment.
  • It usually takes about 12 weeks for a new employee to reach full productivity levels.
  • It typically takes 36-42 days to fill a job opening.
  • The median cost to hire a lan/wan engineer is $1,633.
  • Small businesses spend an average of $1,105 per lan/wan engineer on training each year, while large companies spend $658.
  • There are currently 10,810 lan/wan engineers in the US and 53,143 job openings.
  • New York, NY, has the highest demand for lan/wan engineers, with 3 job openings.
  • New York, NY has the highest concentration of lan/wan engineers.

How to hire a lan/wan engineer, step by step

To hire a lan/wan engineer, you should clearly understand the skills and experience you are looking for in a candidate, and allocate a budget for the position. You will also need to post and promote the job opening to reach potential candidates. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire a lan/wan engineer:

Here's a step-by-step lan/wan 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 lan/wan engineer job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new lan/wan engineer
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    Before you post your lan/wan engineer 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 lan/wan engineer 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?

    Hiring the perfect lan/wan engineer 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.

    Here's a comparison of lan/wan engineer salaries for various roles:

    Type of Lan/Wan EngineerDescriptionHourly rate
    Lan/Wan EngineerComputer networks are critical parts of almost every organization. Network and computer systems administrators are responsible for the day-to-day operation of these networks.$29-49
    Network ConsultantNetwork consultants are information technology (IT) professionals who are responsible for designing, setting up, and maintaining computer networks for an organization or at a client location. These consultants are required to meet with the manager of an organization and network engineers to discuss their networking requirements... Show more$28-63
    Network TechnicianA network technician is responsible for system malfunction diagnosis and troubleshooting operations. Network technicians duties' include repairing damaged system components, analyzing computer systems and blueprints, installing network connections, and upgrading accessories for efficient operations... Show more$24-44
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Lan Wan
    • Switches
    • Windows Server
    • VoIP
    • Firewall
    • Lan
    • Series Routers
    • Network Infrastructure
    • Desktop Support
    • PC
    • VPN
    • Network Hardware
    • BGP
    • TCP/IP
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Manage the VOIP issues with the users.
    • Write program codes in Unix and scripts in others to automate systems backup.
    • Manage blade server farm network, network monitoring servers, and wireless LAN network.
    • Monitor, manage and resolve all data network circuit outages while working independently using VMware.
    • Assign IP addresses, routers configuration, IOS upgrades, and manage circuit turn-up at the pops.
    • Manage user accounts on AIX 3.2/HPUX 10.20/Winows NT 4.0/2000 and Novell Netware 5 in a production environment.
  3. Make a budget

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

    • Location. For example, lan/wan engineers' average salary in florida is 41% less than in washington.
    • Seniority. Entry-level lan/wan engineers 39% less than senior-level lan/wan engineers.
    • Certifications. A lan/wan 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 lan/wan engineer's salary.

    Average lan/wan engineer salary

    $79,887yearly

    $38.41 hourly rate

    Entry-level lan/wan engineer salary
    $62,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 18, 2025
  4. Writing a lan/wan engineer job description

    A good lan/wan engineer 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 lan/wan engineer job description:

    Lan/wan engineer job description example

    Responsibilities

    OBXtek is looking for an experienced LAN/WAN Engineer 2 to support a Server Refreshment Project at the Social Security Administration.

    The Project Implementation Team function provides technical assistance in support of the Server Refreshment Project which includes analysis and resolution beyond the initial migration documents. The contractor shall provide day-to-day problem consultation in support of the Server Refreshment Project and Customer Support functions. This function supports the deployment of agency initiatives, which include Server Operating system upgrades as well as hardware upgrades to Server LAN room. Typically, support is provided for these designated initiatives during the first three days of replacement activities. The contractor shall follow custom created instructions to migrate an SSA Branch office from old hardware to new hardware. In addition, the contractor will be required to troubleshoot issues that arise from the migration process. Troubleshooting could also include looking over tickets assigned to DCSI by the National Call Center that is related to the Server Refreshment project. This function is also required to provide telephone assistance related to issues from a server migration when signed into the call wait queue.

    Responsibilities:

    • Provide tier 2 technical assistance in support of the DCSI Server Team Project, Server Refreshment.
    • Follow directions without any assistance from others. Attention to detail is very important.
    • Provide day-to-day problem consultation to the DCSI Server staff to assist with problem resolution.
    • Provide support to customers related to any implementation activities or agency initiatives including but not limited to
      • Server Hardware Replacement
      • Server Operating Systems Upgrades
    • Develop, document and or edit any existing documentation related to the implementation activities. This includes documenting the initial procedures provided by DCSI Staff and any additional lessons learned during the implementation.
    • Troubleshoot basic Server hardware and software related problems. Some examples to include, troubleshooting PowerShell script errors, Server Imaging issues and Server OS issues.
    • Call the on-call support in the event they can't resolve the issue
    Qualifications

    Must be able to acquire a Public Trust clearance.

    Requires a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, IT, Information Systems, and Engineering, Business or other related scientific or technical discipline

    Requirements:

    • Experience with server virtualization; Hyper-V preferred. VMWare will be considered.
    • System Center product knowledge including Data Protection Manager and Virtual Machine Manager (DPM and VMM)
    • Experience with PowerShell a plus
    • Must be able to follow detailed instructions written by SSA.
    • Experience with Server Operating Systems (Server 2016 to current)
    • Must be able to navigate Windows Server Operating system without any difficulty or assistance

    Education:

    • Bachelor's degree and 1-2 years of related experience and 10 years of IT experience
    Security Clearance Public Trust Company Information

    COVID Policy: Prospective and/or new employees will be required to adhere with OBXtek's COVID-19 policy. Employees working onsite at a customer location must comply with customer COVID-19 policy which may include any or all the following: social distancing, masks, vaccination, mandatory statements regarding one's vaccination status and mandatory testing .

    Headquartered in McLean, Virginia and founded in 2009, OBXtek is a fast-growing leader in the government contracting field. Our mission is Our People…Our Reputation. Our people are trained professionals who enhance our customers' knowledge and innovation using technology, collaboration, and education.

    We offer a robust suite of benefits including comprehensive medical, dental and vision plans, Flexible Spending Accounts, matching 401K, paid time off, tuition reimbursement plans and much more.

    As a prime contractor for 93% of our current work, OBXtek pairs lessons learned across disciplines with industry standard quality practices such as CMMI-Dev Level III, ITIL, 6Sigma, PMI, and ISO. Our rapid growth has been recognized by INC500, the Washington Business Journal, and Washington Technology magazine.

    OBXtek is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, gender identity, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation or any other classification protected by federal, state or local law.

  5. Post your job

    To find the right lan/wan engineer for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

    • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with lan/wan engineers they would recommend.
    • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit lan/wan engineers who meet your education requirements.
    • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your lan/wan engineer job on Zippia to find and recruit lan/wan 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

    During your first interview to recruit lan/wan engineers, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

    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.

    While interviews are great, you will only sometimes learn enough from a conversation with a lan/wan engineer applicant. In those cases, having candidates complete a test project can go a long way in figuring out who's the most likely to succeed in the role. If you aren't a technical person and 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 lan/wan engineer

    Once you have selected a candidate for the lan/wan 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 also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

    To prepare for the new lan/wan engineer first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

  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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How much does it cost to hire a lan/wan engineer?

Hiring a lan/wan engineer comes with both the one-time cost per hire and ongoing costs. The cost of recruiting lan/wan engineers involves promoting the job and spending time conducting interviews. Ongoing costs include employee salary, training, benefits, insurance, and equipment. It is essential to consider the cost of lan/wan engineer recruiting as well the ongoing costs of maintaining the new employee.

Lan/wan engineers earn a median yearly salary is $79,887 a year in the US. However, if you're looking to find lan/wan engineers for hire on a contract or per-project basis, hourly rates typically range between $29 and $49.

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