How to Become a Network Engineer

by Ross Heintzkill | Published on November 26, 2024

If you use the internet, send and receive email, or use a device of any kind when you're doing work, you've already gotten a glimpse at the work of a network engineer. Network engineers are IT professionals who design, set up, and maintain the networks that keep business humming along. Network engineers are deep technical experts with a lot of knowledge and experience working directly with tons of different software and hardware to ensure all the rest of us can keep on working, communicating, and sharing information.

What does it take to become a network engineer? What skills, training, and certifications are needed to break into the field? What are the different approaches to becoming a network engineer, and how do you start on one of those paths? How much money can you make as a network engineer? Dive in with us as we learn about the network engineer career and some of the rewards for pursuing it.

What is a Network Engineer? What does a Network Engineer do?

A network engineer is an advanced IT professional who keeps an organization's network running smoothly and securely. Networks are the digital backbone connecting computers, devices, and people. So you might work with a computer or certain applications all day, but without a network connecting those devices or apps to all the other data, they're not going to be nearly as useful. Without a network engineer, those networks will be slow, inefficient, and unhelpful.

Network engineer is a senior role – you usually won't become a network engineer right out of school or without years of prior experience and networking training. It's not uncommon for network engineers to have college degrees, but it is possible to become a network engineer without a degree if you have direct training and experience. 

Experience is the most important aspect of becoming a network engineer since the job revolves around assessing an organization's unique needs before designing custom network solutions that fit the organization. The technical expertise a network engineer brings to a company requires direct, hands-on experience—from wiring and hardware to creating digital pathways for information to travel on.

Network​​ engineers handle a mix of proactive and reactive work daily, but it's almost always happening in front of a computer screen. A network engineer monitors network performance, troubleshoot connectivity issues, and design and implement new network configurations for future needs. A network engineer's day might start with checking network health, responding to alerts, and tuning network configurations to optimize speed and security. 

Network engineers might also upgrade systems, set up new users, or support special projects related to capacity, throughput, locations, systems, or high availability. No two days look the same for a network engineer, but the focus is always on creating or maintaining a network that keeps things running fast, secure, and stable.

Technical skills are at the heart of a network engineer's job, and they have to know how to work with both hardware and software. To become a network engineer, you must have a deep understanding of network hardware like routers, switches, firewalls, and wireless access points. Beyond the hardware, becoming a network engineer also depends on being well-versed in the protocols and implementations of advanced networking like TCP/IP, DNS, and VPNs. Some of that you can learn on the job, but becoming a network engineer is always going to include deliberate networking training.

In addition, scripting and automation have become increasingly crucial to becoming a network engineer. Network engineers use scripting and automation tools (think Python or PowerShell) to streamline repetitive tasks and ensure networks are consistently and securely configured. 

You can probably start to see how this blend of hardware knowledge, technical expertise, and automation skills makes network engineers indispensable for companies operating in today's technology landscape.

Fortunately, there's never been a better time to become a network engineer, because more and more businesses are relying on fast networks with a lot of customization. Industries like healthcare, finance, manufacturing, and – of course – technology are all looking for network engineers who can support their digital infrastructure. 

We all live on an island of technology, surrounded by an ocean of possibility. As our island of computers and devices grows, the shoreline – our point of connection to the vast digital world – expands even faster. Network engineers are the navigators who build and maintain the bridges, tunnels, and pathways that connect us to that ocean of possibilities. Companies rely on network engineers who can make new possibilities accessible. 

Do I Need a Degree to Become a Network Engineer?

Technically speaking, no, you don't need a degree to become a network engineer. But let's not sugar coat it: a bachelor's degree in fields like computer science, information technology, or network administration will be helpful for people pursuing careers as network engineers. A degree isn't an absolute requirement for becoming a network engineer as long as you supplement your hands-on experience with networking training as you expand your knowledge and skills intentionally.

Many professionals become network engineers without a degree through routes that include certification and practical experience (almost always both). Depending on your experience level and where you are in your career, there are many different certifications to consider. 

If you're starting your career, a certification like CompTIA's Network+ can lay a foundation of knowledge you can build on. The CCNA is also a good certification for would-be network engineers. If you'll be working with Cisco technology for a few years, earning the CCNA can set you up with jobs that'll earn you the experience you'll need to become a network engineer later.

Some employers also prefer hands-on experience and certifications over formal education. College degrees can focus on out-dated technologies or approaches to technology because they are far removed from the realities of network engineering. Extensive experience solving real-world problems and gathering certifications along the way can look very good to employers looking for an ambitious and creative network engineer.

If a college degree is out of reach – because of time, cost, or interest – don't worry! You can still become a network engineer without a degree. That path will include network training as well as IT certifications, and it's a path that many, many people have already walked before you.

The Career Path to Becoming a Network Engineer

Most aspiring network engineers will start in entry-level IT roles that get them comfortable with networking fundamentals and hardware. Entry-level positions that can eventually lead to becoming a network engineer include help desk technician, IT support specialist, or network technician. Those jobs all build foundational skills in troubleshooting and configuring hardware, as well as interacting with users and understanding how they use a network.

Once you've got some experience, the next step tends to include junior networking positions. Jobs like network administrator, network specialist, or network designer lead to becoming a network engineer because it's where you start taking on larger responsibilities like managing network devices, monitoring network health and implementing upgrades. As you progress, you'll see different ways to deepen and specialize your knowledge. 

Maybe you'll learn about network security, where you protect networks from cyber threats. Or you'll get better at cloud computing, supporting businesses using AWS or Azure. Other network engineers got there after becoming wireless network specialists focusing on Wi-Fi and mobile compatibility. These roles are all in high demand, and they can help you build expertise in areas that network engineers have to be familiar with.

In addition, a certification in a part of network engineering that you're unfamiliar with (like security if you're big into cloud networking or vice versa) can show that you're versatile and broadly capable, not just really good at one thing. The best networking training will include virtual labs where you can practice the skills you're learning in a real-world simulation and shorten the journey to becoming a network engineer.

Gathering more responsibility and leadership experience will also help you become a network engineer. Leading projects, mentoring junior IT professionals, and moving into managerial positions can help broaden your familiarity with network operations and become a better network engineer.

The path to becoming a network engineer is highly flexible – with some people getting there by specializing in one part of networking and others broadening their approach as much as possible.

Network Engineer vs. Network Administrator: What’s the Difference?

Network engineers and administrators work closely together, but their roles differ in scope and focus. A network engineer is typically responsible for designing and building network systems and creating the overall architecture that supports an organization's digital needs. 

A network engineer plans the layout of routers, switches, firewalls, and other network components, ensuring that the design is robust, secure, and scalable. Network engineers are often involved in project-based work, implementing new structures or expanding existing ones. They are strategic planners focused on big-picture issues and forward-thinking planning.

By contrast, a network administrator tends to be responsible for the day-to-day management and maintenance of the network that the network engineer has designed. Network administrators monitor performance, handle configurations, and troubleshoot issues that arise. They might also perform updates, manage permissions, and respond to alerts as they arise. While network engineers are more focused on building and optimizing, network administrators are tasked with sustaining and troubleshooting. 

Network engineers and administrators are both essential roles in network design and operation, but network engineers tend to be more experienced and forward-thinking than network administrators, who tend to be more focused on maintenance and troubleshooting.

How Much Does a Network Engineer Make?

How much a network engineer makes depends on experience, location, and the industry in which they work. According to a large-scale research project done by CBT Nuggets, the national average salary for a network engineer is $69,500, the high is $75,500, and the low is $48,000. Our full report on network engineer salaries shows examples by location and experience.

For a job as diverse as a network engineer, finding concrete salary information can be hard to find and compare. According to Glassdoor as of November 2024, a network engineer can make anywhere between $65,000 and $130,000 depending on their level of experience and other factors:

In Conclusion

Becoming a network engineer is a rewarding journey that combines technical expertise, strategic thinking, and hands-on experience. From understanding the basics of network infrastructure to tackling advanced topics like network security and cloud computing, network engineers play a crucial role in building and maintaining the networks that keep businesses connected and running smoothly. 

Certifications like CompTIA Network+ and Cisco's CCNA are essential stepping stones that open up job opportunities at the same time as proving your skills to potential employers.

If you're excited about the possibilities of the network engineer career, now is the time to get started. Explore training programs, begin certification courses, and find ways to gain practical experience to get one step closer to a dynamic career in network engineering.