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Job outlook for network operations analysts in the United States
Network operations analyst job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected network operations analyst job growth rate is 5% from 2018-2028.
About 18,200 new jobs for network operations analysts are projected over the next decade.
Network operations analyst salaries have increased 9% for network operations analysts in the last 5 years.
There are over 67,762 network operations analysts currently employed in the United States.
There are 114,075 active network operations analyst job openings in the US.
The average network operations analyst salary is $67,814.
Are network operations analyst jobs in demand?
Network operations analyst job and salary trends over time
Network operations analyst jobs over time
Network operations analyst job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 67,762 | 0.02% |
| 2020 | 142,008 | 0.04% |
| 2019 | 60,868 | 0.02% |
| 2018 | 55,438 | 0.02% |
| 2017 | 56,811 | 0.02% |
Average network operations analyst salary over time
Network operations analyst salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $67,814 | $32.60 | +3.4% |
| 2024 | $65,580 | $31.53 | +2.3% |
| 2023 | $64,095 | $30.82 | +1.2% |
| 2022 | $63,353 | $30.46 | +1.8% |
| 2021 | $62,259 | $29.93 | +2.4% |
Network operations analyst jobs by state
Most common states for network operations analysts
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 460 | 66% |
| 2 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 232 | 31% |
| 3 | Alaska | 739,795 | 225 | 30% |
| 4 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 350 | 26% |
| 5 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 217 | 25% |
| 6 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 2,051 | 24% |
| 7 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 140 | 24% |
| 8 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,282 | 23% |
| 9 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 1,357 | 22% |
| 10 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 428 | 22% |
| 11 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 234 | 22% |
| 12 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 2,095 | 20% |
| 13 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 1,997 | 19% |
| 14 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 1,236 | 19% |
| 15 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 585 | 19% |
| 16 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 334 | 19% |
| 17 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 2,365 | 18% |
| 18 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 515 | 18% |
| 19 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 244 | 18% |
| 20 | Texas | 28,304,596 | 4,724 | 17% |
Most common cities for network operations analysts
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Annapolis | 3 | 8% | $57,073 |
| 2 | Frankfort | 1 | 4% | $61,878 |
| 3 | Dover | 1 | 3% | $68,443 |
| 4 | Juneau | 1 | 3% | $57,214 |
| 5 | Huntsville | 2 | 1% | $56,462 |
| 6 | Hartford | 1 | 1% | $65,472 |
| 7 | Lansing | 1 | 1% | $61,166 |
| 8 | Little Rock | 1 | 1% | $57,538 |
| 9 | Phoenix | 4 | 0% | $66,884 |
| 10 | Denver | 2 | 0% | $60,927 |
| 11 | Atlanta | 1 | 0% | $59,948 |
| 12 | Baton Rouge | 1 | 0% | $65,959 |
| 13 | Boston | 1 | 0% | $66,600 |
| 14 | Des Moines | 1 | 0% | $55,890 |
| 15 | Indianapolis | 1 | 0% | $62,626 |
| 16 | Montgomery | 1 | 0% | $57,425 |
| 17 | New York | 1 | 0% | $67,862 |
Network Operations Analyst job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of network operations analyst experts
California State University - East Bay
New York Institute of Technology
Dr. Bobby Roohparvar Ph.D.
Professor of Computer Science and Computer EngineeringCalifornia State University - East Bay
Computer Systems Networking And Telecommunications
What general advice would you give to a Network Operations Analyst?
Dr. Bobby Roohparvar Ph.D.: *The anxiety of AI is likely to change the landscape of computer networking, is a real threat but in my opinion, it won't eliminate the need for human network engineers. The focus will likely shift towards more strategic tasks, complex problem-solving, and leveraging AI tools to improve network efficiency and security.*
*Here again, I will explain in more detail about the expectation and future of Comp. Network Eng.*
* 1. AI Augments, Not Replaces: While AI can automate some network tasks, like data analysis and basic troubleshooting, it won't replace the need for human network engineers. It will increase the productivity for sure; Complex problem-solving, strategic decision-making, and human judgment are still crucial in network management. AI will likely become a valuable tool that assists network engineers in their tasks, making them more efficient.*
*2. Growing Demand: Our reliance on technology and data is constantly increasing. Businesses and organizations need secure, reliable networks to function. This necessitates a skilled workforce to design, implement, maintain, and secure these networks. The demand for qualified network engineers is expected to grow in the coming years.*
*In our technology horizon, I can see the quantum internet coming and I can see the demand for network engineering accelerate.*
*3. Diverse Skillset: A strong foundation in computer networking equips you with a versatile skillset. You'll understand network protocols, security concepts, and troubleshooting methodologies. These skills are valuable across the IT field and can be applied to areas like cloud computing, data center operations, or even cybersecurity. Data Centers for AI are becoming a huge opportunity for Comp Network Eng.*
What Network Operations Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Bobby Roohparvar Ph.D.: *Favor:*
*Variety: Each day presents new challenges and opportunities for problem-solving.*
*Demand: The field offers strong job growth and stability.*
*Impact: Your work ensures businesses and organizations remain connected and operational.*
*Learning: There's always something new to learn with emerging technologies.*
*Dislike:*
*Troubleshooting: Issues can be complex and take a lot of time to resolve.*
*On-call: Network problems can occur at any time, requiring on-call availability.*
*Pressure: Maintaining network uptime can be stressful, especially during critical periods.*
*Keeping Up-to-Date: Rapid technological changes necessitate continuous learning.*
What will help Network Operations Analysts increase their earning potential?
Dr. Bobby Roohparvar Ph.D.: *Computer Networking Engineers are crucial in designing, building, maintaining, and troubleshooting complex networks. They need strong technical skills, analytical abilities, and strategic thinking to ensure smooth network operations.*
*A bit more detailed explanation of the Computer Networking Engineers responsibility:*
*Designing and Implementing Networks: This essential task involves creating new networks or significantly upgrading existing ones. It includes understanding organizational requirements, planning capacity, selecting the right hardware and software, and configuring these components for optimal performance and security.*
*Network Automation: Engineers automate routine tasks using scripting languages like Python or tools such as Cisco automation software. This automation not only saves time but also ensures consistent configurations.*
*Troubleshooting Complex Issues: They tackle intricate network problems by analyzing traffic patterns, identifying bottlenecks, optimizing performance, and resolving complex connectivity or security issues.*
*Staying Updated with Technology: As the networking field evolves rapidly, engineers must keep up with new technologies, emerging security threats, and best practices through conferences, online forums, and continuous learning.*
Laura Kier
Network Design and Administration InstructorWhat general advice would you give to a Network Operations Analyst?
Laura Kier: 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.
What Network Operations Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Laura Kier: Computer Networking is a dynamic field with a wide variety of opportunities in many different industries. Some skills that will be more important in general are skills in software defined networking and automation. Skills in the DevOps field will be necessary, as well as skills leveraging AI tools. Cybersecurity is always important and using AI tools to enhance security and monitoring is necessary.
What will help Network Operations Analysts increase their earning potential?
Laura Kier: Learn to present your skills well from the interview and into your career. Those communication skills count! Industry certifications like CCNA matter. They help you demonstrate a willingness to grow and learn beyond what was required for your degree. Be willing to take on new challenges with your new job and keep learning new skills. It is really important for graduates to understand that talented IT professionals can move up quickly in a company, but they often must start at the bottom to showcase their technical and soft skills. Because of that, they should not shy away from entry level jobs if there is potential for growth.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Network Operations Analysts in the next 3-5 years?
Babak Beheshti Ph.D.: -The enormous growth of IoT and wearables. The number of connected devices is expected to be more than 26 billion in 2020. That includes things like household appliances, controllable lighting, and much more. This trend is likely to continue as it is expected to see the industry grow to 661 billion dollars by 2021.
-We will be witnessing a more widespread commercial deployment of 5G in 2020. With the implementation of the Standalone 5G devices based on the 3gpp release 16, we should be seeing the more robust mobile broadband deployment of 5G, wider availability of 5G smartphones, and a push towards an all 5G Network in select urban areas around the world.
-Significant growth in AI-based technologies, from face recognition and voice recognition to business intelligence and market predictions. As machines and deep learning algorithms get integrated into many applications, many industries will undergo substantial changes. AI systems will continue to interact with our phones; cars will interpret and analyze their surroundings and intelligently drive themselves. Online vendors will monitor our browsing habits, and Google decides what kind of search results to give us, based on who it thinks we are.