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What is a network operations/network engineer and how to become one
Network operations engineer is no less vital in the IT industry. IT companies are much more cognizant of the prerequisite to deliver and innovative resources that drive add-on business. They have to move at the pace of business, not the pace of outdated IT. Imagine if the organization's computer network crashes, the whole organization goes down. Hence, network operations engineers play a crucial role in effective business processes and strong communication.
These IT pros are into overseeing the regular performance of a company network system. They offer technical support to help in countering networking problems. Network operations engineers participate in the installation of upgraded or new systems such as equipment troubleshooting and testing. They also help upper-level network engineers in managing and developing security policies that will protect the company's network systems.
Skillset, work experience, certification, and education all play a critical role in their salary. On average, they earn around $36.33 an hour. The ideal applicant will be the one with a bachelor's degree in electronics, computer science, or telecommunication.
What general advice would you give to a network operations/network engineer?
Professor David Sanford
Associate Professor an Department Chair (MIS, CS, CYB MGT, IS CYB), Northwood University
They appreciate the diversity of projects
They enjoy the need for continuous improvement and education
Many see the global impact of their work.
They also desire and appreciate the need for versatile skills
A competitive salary is also an item that employees like
Workers dislike that the work can be stressful
Dealing with tight deadlines and/ or cybersecurity concerns.
This is a positive and a negative: The need to constantly stay up to date with technology can be a bit overwhelming for some.
There may be times of isolation, and
The unexpected system failures can be frustrating as they often require extra hours or the need to be on-call.
The multiple responsibilities and managing repetitive tasks are also issues workers point out in this field.
In short, the workplace offers exciting opportunities but comes with its fair share of pressures and challenges. Different people have different experiences based on their roles and personal preferences.
Avg. Salary $98,739
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth rate 5%
Growth rate 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native 0.31%
Asian 13.54%
Black or African American 7.97%
Hispanic or Latino 11.69%
Unknown 5.01%
White 61.48%
Genderfemale 11.37%
male 88.63%
Age - 42American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 42Stress level is manageable
7.1 - high
Complexity level is challenging
7 - challenging
Work life balance is good
6.4 - fair
Network operations/network engineer career paths
Key steps to become a network operations/network engineer
Explore network operations/network engineer education requirements
Start to develop specific network operations/network engineer skills
Skills Percentages Network Operations 5.24% BGP 4.66% OSPF 4.62% Troubleshoot 4.59% Juniper 4.10% Complete relevant network operations/network engineer training and internships
Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New network operations/network engineers 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 operations/network engineer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real network operations/network engineer resumes.Gain additional network operations/network engineer certifications
More About CertificationsNetwork operations/network engineer certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific network operations/network engineer certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.
The most common certifications for network operations/network engineers include CCNP Service Provider Operations (CCNP) and Cisco Certified Network Associate Security (CCNA).
Research network operations/network engineer duties and responsibilities
- Work in managing the VMware ESX hosts from vC server.
- Manage company's DNS with QIP by adding / deleting IP addresses.
- Manage cabled LAN and wireless access, with switching technologies and wireless technologies.
- Manage state of the art equipment including SAN, NAS, windows servers and desktops.
Prepare your network operations/network engineer resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your network operations/network engineer resume.
You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a network operations/network engineer resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.
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Apply for network operations/network engineer jobs
Now it's time to start searching for a network operations/network engineer 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 did you land your first network operations/network engineer job
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Average network operations/network engineer salary
The average network operations/network engineer salary in the United States is $98,739 per year or $47 per hour. Network operations/network engineer salaries range between $72,000 and $134,000 per year.
What am I worth?
How do network operations/network engineers rate their job?
Network operations/network engineer reviews
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
talking to people
outside weather, I work as a network technician and the main problem I always encounter is the cold weather.
Updated January 8, 2025
