The availability of jobs for network engineers and systems administrators is expected to grow by more than 27% per year from 2004 to 2014, according to data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. A network engineer may also be referred to as a network administrator, systems administrator, network analyst, network designer, network architect, WAN administrator, LAN administrator, IT systems administrator, network operations analyst, or network technician. The principal job of a network engineer is to run and oversee computer communication systems and data transfer within an organization or between companies. Computer networks are used by companies to collect and process data, access the Internet and web-based utilities, and share files and resources. The network engineer serves as both a road engineer and a police officer directing traffic on the information superhighway.

The Duties of a Network Engineer Network are usually in metro environments.

How Does One Become a Network Engineer?

Network engineers typically have IT backgrounds as well as bachelor's degrees or higher-level educational qualifications. Certifications from institutes and organizations like Microsoft and Cisco also carry weight with employers. Engineers with different IT-related backgrounds or specializations in network design, operations, and related fields can become network engineers. Many universities and colleges offer degrees in network engineering. There are also network management and network engineering programs at various higher education institutions. Working network engineers often upgrade themselves by acquiring specialty certifications from industry organizations like Microsoft.

Prospects for Network Engineers

As mentioned earlier, job prospects for network engineers are expected to grow at a rate greater than 27% per year. The average salary of a network engineer ranges from $50,000 to $70,000 per year.