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Job outlook for wan engineers in the United States
Wan engineer job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected wan engineer job growth rate is 5% from 2018-2028.
About 18,200 new jobs for wan engineers are projected over the next decade.
Wan engineer salaries have increased 9% for wan engineers in the last 5 years.
There are over 78,632 wan engineers currently employed in the United States.
There are 34,288 active wan engineer job openings in the US.
The average wan engineer salary is $106,444.
Are wan engineer jobs in demand?
Wan engineer job and salary trends over time
Wan engineer jobs over time
Wan engineer job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 78,632 | 0.02% |
| 2020 | 54,084 | 0.02% |
| 2019 | 30,237 | 0.01% |
| 2018 | 25,582 | 0.01% |
| 2017 | 26,195 | 0.01% |
Average wan engineer salary over time
Wan engineer salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $106,444 | $51.17 | +3.4% |
| 2024 | $102,936 | $49.49 | +2.3% |
| 2023 | $100,606 | $48.37 | +1.2% |
| 2022 | $99,441 | $47.81 | +1.8% |
| 2021 | $97,724 | $46.98 | +2.4% |
Wan engineer jobs by state
Most common states for wan engineers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 335 | 48% |
| 2 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,489 | 18% |
| 3 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 969 | 16% |
| 4 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 684 | 12% |
| 5 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 295 | 10% |
| 6 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 624 | 9% |
| 7 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 509 | 7% |
| 8 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 93 | 7% |
| 9 | Alaska | 739,795 | 53 | 7% |
| 10 | Vermont | 623,657 | 45 | 7% |
| 11 | California | 39,536,653 | 2,446 | 6% |
| 12 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 397 | 6% |
| 13 | Alabama | 4,874,747 | 269 | 6% |
| 14 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 259 | 6% |
| 15 | Delaware | 961,939 | 53 | 6% |
| 16 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 506 | 5% |
| 17 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 174 | 5% |
| 18 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 105 | 5% |
| 19 | Hawaii | 1,427,538 | 66 | 5% |
| 20 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 29 | 5% |
Most common cities for wan engineers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alpharetta | 1 | 2% | $87,105 |
WAN Engineer job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of wan engineer experts
California State University - East Bay
Northwood University
Albertus Magnus College
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 WAN Engineer?
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 WAN Engineer 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 WAN Engineers 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.*
Professor David Sanford
Associate Professor an Department Chair (MIS, CS, CYB MGT, IS CYB)Northwood University
Computer And Information Sciences
What general advice would you give to a WAN Engineer?
Professor David Sanford: Workers like that they are challenged to solve problems and lead technological innovations.
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.
David Garaventa
Director, Computer Information Systems and Cybersecurity Programs, Assistant Professor, CISAlbertus Magnus College
Business Administration and Management Department
What skills stand out on WAN Engineer resumes?
David Garaventa: The skills/attributes required across a variety of jobs in the IT fields.
What hard/technical skills are most important for WAN Engineers?
David Garaventa: The technical skills that are required are broad and tend to be business and/or industry-specific. If you are working in healthcare IT, the patient management platforms you use could be different from the client database used by a bank's IT team, for example. So, on the one hand, the recommendation would be to determine what platforms are most commonly used in your industry area and spend time mastering those platforms. On the other hand, most industries tend to have specific tools that are most commonly used, and spending time mastering those is important.
Going deeper into the subject, technical skills around project management, cloud infrastructure, security, and end-user support bridge across all industries. Having knowledge and skills in these areas will serve IT professionals well, no matter what field or industry they end up in. Again, it is challenging to recommend specific technical skills because the field of IT is so broad.
What skills will help WAN Engineers earn the most?
David Garaventa: Here is where I can be a little more specific, but mostly in terms of certifications. Certifications and micro-credentials indicate two things to an employer: First, you must have an established, verified set of knowledge and skills that you bring to the table. If it is an industry-respected certification, it brings a lot of credibility regarding your knowledge and skills around a specific platform or application. The second thing that certifications and micro-credentials demonstrate to an employer is that you are willing to continue to grow and develop your skills in your field. Technology is progressing so rapidly that the things you knew last year may no longer be relevant today. And as a result, having the ability and desire to continue learning, adapting, and attaining certifications is a great way to show your ongoing commitment to your profession.