How to Become a Network Engineer

by Ross Heintzkill | Updated on March 31, 2026

If you use the internet, send and receive email, or use a device of any kind at 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 businesses humming along. 

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.

Still deciding if network engineering is your best-fit role? Take our IT Personality Quiz. It's a quick, fun way to see which IT path aligns with your strengths and interests.

What is a Network Engineer? 

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 the rest of the data, they won't be nearly as useful. Without a network engineer, those networks will be slow, inefficient, and unhelpful.

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

Experience is the most important aspect of becoming a network engineer, as the job revolves around assessing an organization's unique needs before designing custom network solutions that fit it. 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.

What Does a Network Engineer Do Day-to-Day?

Network engineers handle a mix of proactive and reactive work daily, but it's almost always done at a computer screen. A network engineer monitors network performance, troubleshoots connectivity issues, and designs and implements 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.

What Skills Do I Need to Be a Network Engineer? 

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'll need proficiency in these key areas:

• Hardware fundamentals. A deep understanding of network hardware, such as routers, switches, firewalls, and wireless access points, forms the foundation of the role.

• Networking protocols and implementations. You must be well-versed in advanced networking concepts like TCP/IP, DNS, and VPNs. Some of that you can learn on the job, but deliberate networking training is always part of the journey.

• Scripting and automation. Tools like Python and PowerShell have become increasingly crucial for streamlining repetitive tasks and ensuring networks are consistently and securely configured.

This blend of hardware knowledge, technical expertise, and automation skills makes network engineers indispensable for companies operating in today's technology landscape. And there's never been a better time to pursue the role—industries like healthcare, finance, manufacturing, and technology are all seeking network engineers to support their growing digital infrastructure.

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 sugarcoat 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.

While a degree isn't an absolute requirement to become a network engineer, you'll need to supplement your hands-on experience with networking training to intentionally expand your knowledge and skills.

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.

What Certifications Will Help Me Become a Network Engineer? 

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. 

A few worth considering:

• CompTIA Network+: A great starting point if you're early in your career. It lays a foundation of knowledge you can build on as you gain experience.

• Cisco CCNA: A strong choice if you'll be working with Cisco technology. Earning the CCNA can set you up for jobs that give you the hands-on experience you need to grow into a network engineer role.

• Cisco CCNP Enterprise: The next step after the CCNA for engineers looking to deepen their Cisco expertise and take on more senior responsibilities.

• CompTIA Security+: As networks become more complex, security knowledge is increasingly expected of network engineers — and Security+ is a widely recognized way to demonstrate it.

• AWS or Azure networking certifications. If your work involves cloud infrastructure, vendor-specific cloud certifications signal that you can manage networks beyond traditional on-premises environments.

Extensive experience solving real-world problems and earning certifications along the way can look very good to employers seeking an ambitious and creative network engineer.

What is the Career Path Like for Becoming a Network Engineer? 

The path to becoming a network engineer is flexible—some people get there by specializing deeply in one area, others by broadening their skills as much as possible. But most follow a similar progression:

1. Start in Entry-Level IT: Help desk technician, IT support specialist, and network technician roles all build the foundational troubleshooting and hardware skills you'll need. You'll also get experience interacting with users and understanding how they use a network, which matters more than you might expect.

2. Move into Junior Networking Roles: Network administrator, network specialist, and network designer positions are where you start taking on bigger responsibilities: managing network devices, monitoring network health, and implementing upgrades.

3. Specialize (or diversify): As you progress, you'll find opportunities to deepen your expertise in areas like network security, cloud computing, or wireless networking. 

A certification in an area outside your specialty can also signal versatility to employers by showing you're broadly capable, not just excellent at one thing. And the best networking training will include virtual labs, where you can practice skills in a real-world simulation and shorten your path to the role.

Leadership experience matters too. Leading projects, mentoring junior IT professionals, and stepping into managerial roles can all broaden your understanding of network operations and make you a stronger candidate.

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 is typically responsible for the day-to-day management and maintenance of the network that the network engineer designed. Network administrators monitor performance, manage configurations, and troubleshoot issues as they arise. They might also perform updates, manage permissions, and respond to alerts as they arise. While network engineers focus on building and optimizing, network administrators are tasked with sustaining and troubleshooting. 

In short, network engineers build the network and network administrators keep it running—and knowing the difference can help you set the right career goals from the start. 

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 conducted by CBT Nuggets, the national average salary for a network engineer is $109,040, with a high of $143,000 and a low of $54,000. 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 March 2026, a network engineer can make anywhere between $98,000 and $156,000, 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 while demonstrating 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.

Ready to start learning? Sign up for our CompTIA Network+ online training. 

Frequently Asked Questions about a Career as a Networking Engineer 

How long does it take to become a network engineer? 

Most people spend 3 to 5 years working towards a network engineer position, starting from entry-level IT roles. The right certifications and training may help shrink that timeline. 

Do network engineers earn a good salary? 

Yes. Network engineers are among the better-paid IT roles, with median salaries typically ranging from $80,000 to $150,000, depending on experience, location, and specialization. Engineers with advanced certifications or expertise in high-demand areas like cloud networking or security tend to earn toward the higher end of that range.

Do I need a degree to become a networking engineer? 

Not necessarily, but it can help make the path easier. While a degree in computer science or information technology can be helpful, many network engineers get there through certifications and hands-on experience instead. Employers tend to care more about what you can do than how you learned to do it—which is why certifications like the CCNA and CompTIA Network+ carry real weight. 

What does a network engineer do every day?

Day-to-day tasks vary, but network engineers typically spend their time designing and optimizing network systems, troubleshooting performance issues, implementing upgrades, and collaborating with other IT teams. Project-based work, like rolling out new infrastructure or expanding an existing network, is also a regular part of the job.