How To Become A Network Management Specialist: What It Is and Career Path

What is a network management specialist and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted expert

Laura Kier

There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a network management specialist. For example, did you know that they make an average of $36.51 an hour? That's $75,948 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 management specialist?

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 Management SpecialistUS Average

Salary

5.9

Avg. Salary $75,948

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 13.86%

Black or African American 7.96%

Hispanic or Latino 11.67%

Unknown 5.01%

White 61.19%

Gender

female 31.95%

male 68.05%

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 management specialist

Explore network management specialist education requirements

Most common network management specialist degrees

Bachelor's

57.6 %

Associate

22.3 %

Master's

14.1 %

Start to develop specific network management specialist skills

Skills	Percentages
Network Management	17.14%
Lan Wan	7.74%
Switches	6.70%
SQL	6.08%
Provider Network	4.87%

Complete relevant network management specialist training and internships

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

Research network management specialist duties and responsibilities

Install and manage PBX voice network & secure video-teleconferencing services as necessary using military-grade & commercial VoIP hardware and software.
Work on active directories, novell, and network printers.
Perform basic configuration functions on GTD-5 and DMS-100 central office switches.
Recommend and implement EasyIP, centralize IP address space management platform.

Apply for network management specialist jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a network management specialist 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 network management specialists rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Network management specialist reviews

A zippia user wrote a review on Feb 2020

Pros

I love the fact that I have self taught myself by trouble shooting issues for fifteen years while working in corrections as the Video court officer with no prior experince or degree

Cons

I dislike the fact that I don't get paid as a Video technician although I'm called to fix issues

A zippia user wrote a review on Nov 2019