$109,040. That’s the average network engineer salary in the United States right now. Senior engineers with a CCIE? They’re pulling $166K and up.
So how do you get there?
Here’s the short answer. You need a mix of technical skills, at least one solid certification, and some hands-on experience. A degree helps, but it isn’t required. Plenty of working network engineers started from help desk roles and built their way up.
That’s the quick version. But the actual path depends on where you’re starting from. Let’s break it down.
What Does a Network Engineer Actually Do?
A network engineer designs, builds, and maintains the systems that keep data moving. Routers, switches, firewalls, VPNs, wireless access points, all the infrastructure that businesses depend on every single day.
Day to day, that means:
- Configuring and troubleshooting routers and switches (mostly Cisco, Juniper, or Arista)
- Setting up VLANs, VPNs, and firewall rules
- Monitoring network performance with tools like Wireshark, SolarWinds, or PRTG
- Responding to outages and performance issues
- Planning network upgrades and capacity
- Documenting everything (honestly, the part most people skip)
It’s not just about keeping things running. You’re also making sure the network is secure, fast, and ready to scale.
Quick clarification. A network engineer is different from a network administrator. Administrators handle day-to-day management. Engineers design and build. In smaller companies, you might do both. In larger ones, these are separate roles.
What Skills Do Network Engineers Need?
This is where it gets real. You can’t just memorize exam material and expect to land a job. Employers want people who can actually fix things when they break.
Technical Skills
The core technical skills every network engineer needs:
Networking fundamentals: TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, subnetting, OSI model. These aren’t optional. They’re the foundation everything else sits on.
Routing and switching: OSPF, BGP, EIGRP, spanning tree, VLANs. You need to configure these protocols, not just define them. Big difference.
Security: Firewalls, access control lists, VPN configuration, zero trust basics. Every network engineer is a security engineer now, whether the title says it or not.
Cloud networking: AWS VPC, Azure Virtual Networks, SD-WAN. The cloud isn’t replacing on-prem networks, it’s extending them. You need to understand both.
Automation: Python scripting, Ansible, Terraform. This is the one that separates the engineers who get promoted from the ones who get stuck. We see this all the time in our live CCNA Automation classes. Students who pick up even basic automation skills move faster in their careers.
Monitoring and troubleshooting: Wireshark, SolarWinds, PRTG, Splunk. Knowing how to find and fix problems quickly is what keeps you employed.
Soft Skills (Yes, They Matter)
Here’s what hiring managers won’t tell you in the job description.
- Documentation. If you can’t document your work, you’re creating problems for the next person. And sometimes the next person is future you.
- Communication. You’ll explain technical concepts to non-technical managers. A lot.
- Problem-solving under pressure. Networks go down at 2 AM. You need to stay calm and think clearly.
- Teamwork. You’ll work with security teams, developers, and IT management daily.
Network Engineer Certifications: Your Roadmap
Certifications are the currency of the networking world. They prove your skills to employers and open doors that experience alone can’t. Here’s the path, from entry-level to expert.
Entry-Level: CompTIA Network+ and CCNA
CompTIA Network+ (N10-009) is vendor-neutral, meaning it covers networking concepts without tying you to Cisco, Juniper, or any specific vendor. The exam has up to 90 questions, takes 90 minutes, and you need a 720/900 to pass. CompTIA recommends 9-12 months of hands-on experience before attempting it.
Good starting point. But most employers want more.
Cisco CCNA (200-301) is the industry standard for network engineers. It covers network fundamentals, IP connectivity, security basics, and automation. The exam is 120 minutes and it’s the cert that shows up in almost every network engineer job posting.
So which one first? If you’re brand new to IT, start with Network+. It builds your foundation. If you already have some networking exposure, go straight to CCNA. We’ve covered this in detail in our Network+ vs CCNA comparison.
Not sure about the investment? Here’s what our data shows. CCNA-certified professionals earn an average of $112,333 per year. That’s a solid return on a certification that takes 3-6 months of focused study.
SMEnode Academy offers a free Network+ course with live instruction, so you can start without spending a dollar.
Mid-Level: CCNP and Cloud Certs
Once you have your CCNA and a year or two of experience, it’s time to specialize.
CCNP Enterprise is the natural next step for network engineers. It covers advanced routing, switching, SD-WAN, and wireless. Two exams: a core exam plus a concentration exam of your choice.
AWS Certified Advanced Networking or Azure Network Engineer Associate if you’re moving toward cloud. More companies are building hybrid networks, and cloud networking skills are in high demand. Check out our AWS Solutions Architect training or Azure Solutions Architect course to get started on the cloud path.
CompTIA Security+ is worth mentioning here too. Network security is part of every network engineer’s job now, and Security+ proves you understand the basics.
Expert-Level: CCIE
The Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) is the top of the mountain. Only about 60,000 people worldwide hold an active CCIE. The pass rate on first attempt? Roughly 25-30%.
It’s hard. Really hard. But the payoff is real. CCIE holders earn an average of $166,524 per year, with top earners clearing $220K.
The CCIE lab exam is 8 hours of hands-on configuration. You can’t study your way through it with flashcards. You need hundreds of hours of actual lab practice. That’s why our CCIE Enterprise program includes unlimited lab access and live instruction from CCIE-certified instructors.
For those interested in security, CCIE Security is another high-demand track.
Certification Roadmap at a Glance
| Level | Certification | Time to Earn | Avg. Salary Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | CompTIA Network+ (N10-009) | 2-4 months | $55K-$75K |
| Entry | Cisco CCNA (200-301) | 3-6 months | $80K-$112K |
| Mid | CCNP Enterprise | 6-12 months | $120K-$175K |
| Mid | AWS/Azure Networking | 3-6 months | $125K-$160K |
| Expert | CCIE Enterprise/Security | 12-24 months | $150K-$220K+ |
How to Become a Network Engineer Step by Step (Even Without a Degree)
You don’t need a computer science degree to become a network engineer. Is it helpful? Sure. Required? Not anymore.
Here’s the realistic path that actually works.
Step 1: Build Your Foundation (Months 1-3)
Start learning networking fundamentals. TCP/IP, subnetting, the OSI model, basic routing and switching. You can do this through self-study, online courses, or our free Network+ live classes.
Set up a home lab. You don’t need expensive hardware. Use GNS3 or EVE-NG to simulate real network environments on your laptop. Curious about virtualization options? Our Proxmox vs VMware comparison breaks down which platform works best for lab environments.
Step 2: Get Your First Certification (Months 3-6)
Go for CompTIA Network+ or CCNA. Don’t try to do both at the same time. Pick one, pass it, then move on.
If you’re choosing CCNA, understand the full picture first. We’ve covered CCNA certification costs and requirements in a separate guide.
Study tip from our live classes: don’t just read and watch. Lab everything. Every single concept. If you read about OSPF, lab it. If you learn about VLANs, lab it. Hands-on practice is what separates people who pass from people who don’t.
Step 3: Land an Entry-Level Role (Months 6-12)
Your first job probably won’t be “Network Engineer.” That’s fine. Start with:
- Help desk / IT support – Learns you how IT operations actually work
- NOC technician – Monitors networks, responds to alerts, good exposure
- Network administrator – Manages day-to-day network operations
- Junior network technician – Hands-on with hardware and basic configs
These roles give you real-world experience that certifications alone can’t. Plus, many companies will pay for your next certification once you’re on the team.
Remote options are growing too. There are about 1,900 monthly searches for remote network engineer jobs, which tells you the demand is real.
Step 4: Specialize and Advance (Year 2+)
After a year or two in the field, pick a direction:
- Enterprise networking – Traditional routing/switching, campus networks (CCNP Enterprise path)
- Cloud networking – AWS, Azure, hybrid cloud architectures
- Network security – Firewalls, IDS/IPS, zero trust (CCNP Security path)
- Network automation – Python, Ansible, Terraform, SD-WAN (high demand right now)
Each specialization leads to different senior roles and salary brackets. The automation path is especially hot right now. Companies are desperate for engineers who can write scripts and automate network tasks.
Network Engineer Career Path and Salary
Here’s what the career progression actually looks like, with real salary numbers.
| Career Stage | Typical Title | Experience | Avg. Salary (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | Help Desk / NOC Tech | 0-2 years | $45,000-$60,000 |
| Junior | Network Administrator | 1-3 years | $55,000-$75,000 |
| Mid | Network Engineer | 3-5 years | $86,700-$123,000 |
| Senior | Sr. Network Engineer | 5-8 years | $120,000-$155,000 |
| Expert | Network Architect / CCIE | 8+ years | $150,000-$220,000+ |
The jump from mid-level to senior is where certifications really pay off. A CCNP or cloud networking cert can push you into that $120K+ range faster than experience alone.
Will AI Replace Network Engineers?
No. Worth being clear about that.
AI tools like AIOps platforms can monitor networks, detect anomalies, and suggest fixes. That’s real and it’s happening now. But someone still needs to design the network, make architectural decisions, handle complex troubleshooting, and respond when things go sideways in unexpected ways.
What AI will replace is manual, repetitive work. If your job is just running the same CLI commands every day, yeah, automation will eventually handle that. But if you can design networks, troubleshoot at scale, and write automation scripts? You’re more valuable than ever.
The smart move is to learn automation and AI tools alongside traditional networking skills. Engineers who understand both will be the ones running things in 5 years.
FAQ
How long does it take to become a network engineer?
Most people land their first network engineer role in 1 to 3 years. With a focused certification path, like Network+ followed by CCNA, and consistent lab practice, you can cut that to 12-18 months. A bachelor’s degree takes 3-4 years but isn’t always required.
Can you become a network engineer without a degree?
Yes. Many working network engineers don’t have a four-year degree. Industry certifications like CCNA and CompTIA Network+ carry real weight with employers. Pair those with hands-on experience from a help desk or NOC role, and you’ve got a strong path into the field.
What certifications should I get first?
Start with CompTIA Network+ if you’re completely new to IT. If you already have some networking exposure, go straight to CCNA. After that, CCNP Enterprise or a cloud networking cert (AWS, Azure) based on where you want to specialize.
Is network engineering hard?
Honestly? It’s not easy. The technology changes fast, troubleshooting can be stressful, and you’ll be on call sometimes. But it’s also rewarding. You solve real problems, earn good money, and there’s always something new to learn. If you enjoy problem-solving and building things, you’ll like it.
What’s the difference between a network engineer and a network administrator?
Network administrators manage day-to-day operations, like user access, routine maintenance, and monitoring. Network engineers design, build, and optimize the infrastructure itself. In practice, there’s overlap, especially at smaller companies. But the engineer role typically pays more and involves more complex work.
Bottom Line
Becoming a network engineer in 2026 is a realistic, well-paying career path. You don’t need a degree. You do need skills, certifications, and hands-on practice.
Start with the fundamentals. Get certified (Network+ or CCNA). Land an entry-level role. Then specialize and keep growing.
The industry needs qualified network engineers. 87% of organizations report IT talent shortages, and that gap isn’t closing anytime soon.
Ready to start? Enrol in SMEnode Academy’s free Network+ course and get live instruction from day one. No cost, no catch, just solid training that gets you moving.
