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

What is a network engineer/analyst and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

2 min read

Quoted expert

Laura Kier

There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a network engineer/analyst. For example, did you know that they make an average of $40.92 an hour? That's $85,116 a year! 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 network engineer/analyst?

Laura Kier

Network Design and Administration Instructor

Students graduating from the Computer Network Design and Administration program will enter the job market with a solid foundation in networking technologies. Above that they should also be able to develop and demonstrate excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Networking has a strong emphasis on teamwork and being able to communicate well with customers, co-workers and teammates is vital. Attaining certifications in Cisco, Linux, Windows, and security will also help the student stand out within the industry (classes in the program help to learn the knowledge needed to attain certifications). Students should participate in any local or online communities and groups to enhance skills and knowledge and find networking opportunities.

ScoreNetwork Engineer/AnalystUS Average

Salary

6.6

Avg. Salary $85,116

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 12.78%

Black or African American 8.30%

Hispanic or Latino 12.01%

Unknown 5.03%

White 61.57%

Gender

female 17.13%

male 82.87%

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 network engineer/analyst

Explore network engineer/analyst education requirements

Most common network engineer/analyst degrees

Bachelor's

63.2 %

Associate

20.6 %

Master's

11.5 %

Start to develop specific network engineer/analyst skills

Skills	Percentages
Switches	8.06%
Routers	5.71%
Troubleshoot	5.43%
Network Infrastructure	4.59%
VoIP	4.10%

Complete relevant network engineer/analyst training and internships

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

Research network engineer/analyst duties and responsibilities

Manage and administer corporate firewalls and relate security policies base on Checkpoint/Nokia platform.
Manage and administer Nortel and Cisco VPN environment including office to office and remote user connectivity.
Configure, verify and perform troubleshooting of DHCP and DNS operation on a router.
Connect all new hire workstations to LAN.

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