How to hire a network planner

How to hire a network planner, step by step

Here's a step-by-step network planner hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a network planner job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new network planner
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your network planner 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 network planner 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?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a network planner to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a network planner that fits the bill.

   The following list breaks down different types of network planners and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Network Planner	Description	Hourly rate
   Network Planner	Computer network architects design and build data communication networks, including local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), and intranets. These networks range from small connections between two offices to next-generation networking capabilities such as a cloud infrastructure that serves multiple customers.	$25-59
   Telecom Analyst	A telecom analyst coordinates, reviews, and performs all the required telecommunications changes, adds, and moves. They coordinate, review, and perform repair services in all critical emergency cases... Show more	$22-41
   NOC Analyst	A Network Operation Center (NOC) analyst works on ensuring the stability and working order of all network connections used in a company. The position is essential for companies that require fast-paced communication in both internal and external affairs... Show more	$19-34

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • IP
   • Switches
   • Project Management
   • Network Operations
   • Ethernet
   • Network Infrastructure
   • RF
   • DOD
   • Provisioning
   • Emerging Technologies
   • VoIP
   • Network Capacity
   • Broadband
   • Core Network

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage Ethernet LANs in high profile company buildings.
   • Manage and analyze traffic backhaul for Ethernet and SONET circuits in between central offices.
   • Develop and manage the plan for new technology deployment that convert network backbone to IP.
   • Manage projects responsible for the customer turn ups of domestic and international customers on all BSLD switches in the network.
   • Coordinate marketing brainstorming meetings, prepare minutes, manage project follow-up, and create summary PowerPoint presentations.
   • Create and maintain broadband network trunk diagrams as switches and trunks are add and remove from the network.

   More network planner duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your network planner job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A network planner salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, network planners' average salary in wisconsin is 42% less than in alaska.
   • Seniority. Entry-level network planners earn 58% less than senior-level network planners.
   • Certifications. A network planner with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a network planner's salary.

   Average network planner salary

   $80,488yearly

   $38.70 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level network planner salary

   $52,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 17, 2025

   Average network planner salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$106,130	$51
   2	Washington	$98,430	$47
   3	New Jersey	$90,245	$43
   4	Louisiana	$89,711	$43
   5	Virginia	$88,220	$42
   6	Hawaii	$86,003	$41
   7	Georgia	$83,515	$40
   8	Arizona	$82,712	$40
   9	Texas	$81,980	$39
   10	Massachusetts	$81,776	$39
   11	Oregon	$81,244	$39
   12	New York	$76,231	$37
   13	North Carolina	$75,146	$36
   14	Maryland	$72,181	$35
   15	Colorado	$69,389	$33
   16	Ohio	$68,193	$33
   17	Illinois	$67,988	$33
   18	Michigan	$67,794	$33
   19	Kansas	$67,702	$33
   20	Florida	$64,253	$31

   Average network planner salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Meta	$137,965	$66.33	222
   2	Microsoft	$125,459	$60.32	50
   3	Shopify	$113,405	$54.52
   4	Bristol-Myers Squibb	$111,618	$53.66	6
   5	OMNOVA Solutions	$105,154	$50.55
   6	Micron Technology	$101,042	$48.58	2
   7	Baxter International	$98,907	$47.55	4
   8	Medline	$98,071	$47.15	2
   9	Johnson & Johnson	$94,270	$45.32	2
   10	BD	$90,478	$43.50
   11	Corning Incorporated	$88,628	$42.61	9
   12	Ericsson	$83,773	$40.28	2
   13	Rich Products	$82,019	$39.43	1
   14	Mars	$81,425	$39.15	2
   15	Frontier Communications	$80,084	$38.50	7
   16	Viasat	$77,064	$37.05	4
   17	Pacific Architects and Engineers	$76,447	$36.75
   18	Hawaiian Telcom	$76,417	$36.74	1
   19	NII Holdings	$75,406	$36.25
   20	Pacer	$74,903	$36.01

4. Writing a network planner job description

   A network planner job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a network planner job description:

   Network planner job description example

   The role of the Global Supply Network Planner is to develop the global supply plan rough cut capacity supply plan (RCCP) in support of manufacturing operations and business unit objectives ensuring all target inventory and customer service levels are fulfilled. Responsible for analyzing Global Supply Chain business data to identify trends, draw conclusions, and develop recommendations to help drive data-driven decision-making. Provides detailed scenario analysis when issues arise to support optimal supply chain and customer/patient outcomes.Proactively develops system and process improvements across the global supply network to ensure all targets and objectives are achieved. Assists in the development of the global supply chain planning strategy with Supply Chain Lead. ((Hybrid, goal would be 2 days a week on site in the next few months.))
   Requirements Develops, implements, and refines a global statistical safety stock model in a patient centric manner.
   Proactively develops system based solutions to facilitate digital transformation primarily in Rapid Response and other system tools (SAP). Serves as Rapid Response SME for multisite planning and provides training and user support.
   Analyzes inventory levels, inventory positioning, planned production and sales in order to develop and implement and optimized global supply network. Participates in and leads various supply chain improvement projects
   Generate KPIs, analyze and visualize Supply Chain business data from Rapid Response and SAP.
   Conduct the analysis of Integrated Business Planning process with to help drive strategy and decision plan.
   Interfaces throughout the company to understand and identify relevant risks/ contingency opportunities related to supply chain for a product or products.
   Evaluates inventory allocation/ leveraging opportunities throughout the supply chain and recommends process improvements.
   Directs and coordinates integration of systems and processes and supply chain flows across global sites, contract manufacturing organizations and/or newly acquired entities.
   Facilitates robust communications with RA, Quality, Operations, and site Materials Management organizations relevant to supply issues.QualificationsBasic Qualifications
   Action oriented, stretches look for continuous improvement, acts for patients and customer first, considers the big picture over induvial or team goals. Shares information openly to ensure organizational success.
   Bachelors Degree with 3-5+ years work experience in Supply Chain Planning (Supply, Demand, or Inventory)
   Strong written and verbal communication skills required as well as the ability to provide fact based recommendations to improve supply chain performance from a cost, quality and patient point of view.
   Strong Analytical skills
   Experience in global manufacturing across multiple supply nodes.
   Ability to work cross functionally across operational teams (Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Business Analytics, Quality, Regulatory, Customer Service, DRP and logistics)
   Ability to make fact based cases and persuade others to take a particular course of action based on the relevant facts and assumptions.
   Experience working with DRP, MRP, and ERP systems. Rapid Response or similar planning tool (APO, Demantra, Oracle).
   Maintains effective cross-functional partnerships across the organization
   Adjusts quickly to complex, changing work priorities and unplanned events
   Exercises situation appropriate behavior in dealing with others and works effectively with individuals of diverse backgrounds and cultures
   Gathers and analyzes information to make decisions without requiring direct management involvement
   Anticipates issues or problems and takes preventative action
   Considers the impact of decisions on the entire organization Preferred Qualifications
   Masters Degree in Supply Chain, Operations or Business
   APICS CSCP certification
   Pharmaceutical or Medical Device or other similarly regulated industry experience

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right network planner 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 network planners they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit network planners 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.

   To find network planner candidates, you can consider the following options:

   • Post your job opening on Zippia or other job search websites.
   • Use niche websites that focus on engineering and technology jobs, such as dice, engineering.com, stack overflow, it job pro.
   • Post your job on free job posting websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting network planners requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   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.

   Sometimes, it's not enough to interview network planner candidates, so you can ask them to do a test project. If you are not a technical person and don't know what a test project should be, you can use these websites:

   • 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 network planner

   Once you have selected a candidate for the network planner 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 employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

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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