Do network engineers make good money?

Yes, network engineers generally make good money. The median annual wage for network engineers (also known as network and computer systems administrators) was $84,810 in 2020. That is higher than the average mid-tier annual salary in the United States of around $45-65,000.

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

What is a senior network engineer and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

5 min read

Quoted Expert

Andrea Welker Ph.D.

A senior network engineer designs implements, and maintains computer networks. They develop network architecture, configure routers and switches, and troubleshoot network issues. Senior network engineers manage complex networks that require high levels of security, reliability, and scalability. They work with other IT professionals to ensure that the network infrastructure meets the needs of the organization. They require strong technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication skills to work with colleagues and stakeholders.

What general advice would you give to a Senior Network Engineer?

Andrea Welker Ph.D.

Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, College of Engineering Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Villanova University

Be open to new experiences. Find a good mentor. Become a valued employee. Always remember that you are designing something for someone.

ScoreSenior Network EngineerUS Average

Salary

7.9

Avg. Salary $111,707

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 13.47%

Black or African American 8.15%

Hispanic or Latino 11.86%

Unknown 5.02%

White 61.18%

Gender

female 6.84%

male 93.16%

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

What are the pros and cons of being a Senior Network Engineer?

Pros

Opportunities for career growth and advancement
Ability to work with cutting-edge equipment and software
Ability to work remotely or from home
Job stability and demand for qualified professionals
Opportunity to work with a variety of clients and industries

Cons

Constantly changing technology can make it difficult to keep up
Requires extensive knowledge and experience which can take years to acquire
Can be mentally and physically demanding work
Can involve extensive travel, sometimes with short notice
Often requires being on call for emergencies, which can disrupt personal life.

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Key steps to become a senior network engineer

Explore senior network engineer education requirements

Most common senior network engineer degrees

Bachelor's

65.5 %

Associate

18.1 %

Master's

11.4 %

Start to develop specific senior network engineer skills

Skills	Percentages
Switches	6.81%
BGP	4.89%
OSPF	4.74%
Troubleshoot	4.71%
Network Infrastructure	4.19%

Complete relevant senior network engineer training and internships

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

Gain additional senior network engineer certifications

Senior 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 senior network engineer certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for senior network engineers include CCIE Routing & Switching (CCIE) and CCNA Routing and Switching Certification (CCNA RS).

More About Certifications

Research senior network engineer duties and responsibilities

Manage check point firewall logs using check point tracker and splunk.
Manage network / systems security, implement policies, processes PCI, HIPAA compliance.
Manage the SAN base storage environment consisting of EMC CX3-80's and CX700's.
Design and build Cisco Meraki cloud manage firewall, switch, and wireless access points for new facility of marketing firm.

Get senior network engineer experience

Generally, it takes 1-2 years to become a senior network engineer. The most common roles before becoming a senior network engineer include network engineer, network administrator team lead and network technician.

Prepare your senior network engineer resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your senior 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 senior 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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