Network engineer

What does a network engineer do?

• Design local, wide-area and wireless networks that meet an organisation's needs.
• Install and configure routers, switches, firewalls and other network equipment.
• Monitor network performance and fix faults and slowdowns.
• Set up and manage connections to cloud services and remote offices.
• Apply security measures such as access controls, network segmentation and VPNs.
• Plan upgrades and document network layouts and settings.
• Support other IT staff and pass complex problems to equipment suppliers.

Where do they work?

Network engineers work for telecoms and internet providers, data centres, IT service companies, banks, hospitals, universities, governments and any large organisation with its own IT systems. Some roles involve travel to offices, customer sites or data centres to install equipment. Many changes are made outside business hours to avoid disrupting users, so evening, weekend or on-call work is common. Some tasks can be done remotely, but hardware work still requires being on site.

What skills do you need?

• Networking protocols such as TCP/IP
• Routing, switching and wireless technologies
• Network security and firewalls
• Cloud networking
• Troubleshooting and diagnostic tools
• Scripting and network automation
• Documentation and planning
• Working calmly under pressure

Official skills profile (ESCO)

Essential skills listed for this occupation in ESCO, the European Commission's multilingual classification of skills and occupations.

• apply information security policies
• implement ICT network diagnostic tools
• use software design patterns
• debug software
• forecast future ICT network needs
• design computer network
• provide technical documentation
• develop automated migration methods
• migrate existing data
• analyse software specifications
• collect customer feedback on applications

Essential knowledge: mobile operating systems · information security strategy · ICT performance analysis methods · cloud technologies · ICT debugging tools · ICT network routing · computer programming

How do you become a network engineer?

Many network engineers have a degree or diploma in computer science, computer networking, telecommunications or electrical engineering. Others start in IT support or help desk jobs and move into networking by learning on the job. Networking certifications, both from equipment makers and vendor-neutral bodies, are very important in this field, and many job adverts ask for them. Employers also look for hands-on experience, which you can build with home labs, network simulation software and internships. Career changers from technical trades or the armed forces often start in junior support or network technician roles.

1. University degree. A bachelor's degree in computer science, computer networking, telecommunications or electrical engineering teaches you how networks work. Programmes that include practical labs and preparation for industry certifications are especially useful when looking for a first job. Internships with IT or telecoms teams add valuable experience.
2. Apprenticeship or vocational training. Vocational colleges in many countries offer networking diplomas, and countries with apprenticeship systems, such as Germany, Switzerland and the UK, train IT and network technicians while they work. These routes usually start with technician roles and lead to engineering jobs with experience and further certifications.
3. Certification and IT support route. Many people start on a help desk, learn networking basics and take entry-level networking certifications. With experience, they move into network technician and then engineer roles. This route does not require a degree but takes time, and practical lab work is essential for certification exams and interviews.

Degrees that lead to this career

• Computer science

  A computer science degree teaches how software, data and computer systems work, from programming and algorithms to networks and artificial intelligence.

  9 linked careers

• Electrical engineering

  An electrical engineering degree teaches how to design and build systems that generate, control and use electricity, from power grids and motors to circuits, chips and communication networks.

  5 linked careers

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Do you need a licence to work as a network engineer?

Network engineering is not a regulated profession in most countries, so you do not need a licence to do the job. In a few places, such as some Canadian provinces, the title "engineer" is protected and only licensed professional engineers may use it. Certifications are not a legal requirement, but employers often expect them. Some government and defence roles also require security clearance.

How much does a network engineer earn?

Pay in the United States

• $134,050Median annual wage, May 2025
• $79,900–$202,680Range from the lowest-paid 10% to the highest-paid 10%
• 179.7KPeople employed in the US

US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, SOC 15-1241, May 2025. National estimates across all industries; excludes the self-employed.

Earnings of Professionals around the world

Most countries do not publish pay for single job titles. The International Labour Organization collects median monthly earnings for broad occupation groups instead. This career belongs to ISCO-08 major group 2, "Professionals". The table covers the whole group, which includes network engineer and many other occupations.

Source: ILOSTAT, median monthly earnings of employees, latest year available. PPP$ adjusts for price differences between countries so figures can be compared. "vs all employees" compares the group's median with the median for all occupations in the same country.

Career progression

1. IT support or network technician
2. Junior network engineer
3. Network engineer
4. Senior network engineer
5. Network architect or infrastructure manager

Job outlook

Every organisation depends on reliable networks, so network skills are needed across the economy. The job is changing as more systems move to the cloud and networks are managed through software and automation rather than by configuring each device by hand. Engineers who learn cloud networking, security and scripting are in a better position than those who only manage traditional equipment. Some routine monitoring and support work is being automated or outsourced to service providers.

Questions about becoming a network engineer

Do you need a degree to become a network engineer?

Not always. Many network engineers started in IT support and built their careers through certifications and experience. A degree in computer science, networking or electrical engineering helps with graduate schemes, larger employers and work visas, and some network architect or government roles may require one.

Are networking certifications worth it?

In networking, certifications carry more weight than in many other IT fields. They show employers that you understand specific equipment and technologies, and many job adverts list them. They work best alongside hands-on experience, because interviews often include practical troubleshooting questions.

What is the difference between a network engineer and a network administrator?

The titles overlap and vary between employers. Network administrators usually focus on the day-to-day running of an existing network, such as user access, monitoring and fixing faults. Network engineers usually do more design, planning and building of new networks or major upgrades. Many people move from administrator to engineer roles.

Is network engineering still a good career with the growth of cloud computing?

Yes, but the skills are changing. Cloud platforms still need network design, connections and security, and many organisations mix cloud services with their own equipment. Network engineers who learn cloud networking, automation and security are in a strong position, while jobs focused only on hardware may become fewer.

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Sources

1. US Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — SOC 15-1241, national estimates, May 2025
2. ILOSTAT — Median monthly earnings of employees by occupation — ISCO-08 major groups, latest year per country
3. European Commission — ESCO occupation profile — ESCO code 2523.3

How to cite this page: CourseToJob (2026). How to become a network engineer: degrees, skills and salary. https://coursetojob.com/careers/network-engineer/ (accessed September 26, 2026)

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