How to Become a Network Engineer: Skills, Certifications and Career Path
A practical roadmap from networking basics to cloud networking, with the certifications, lab work and first jobs that lead to a network engineer role.
To become a network engineer, learn networking fundamentals (TCP/IP, subnetting, routing, switching, DNS, VPNs), practice in a home or virtual lab, and earn an entry certification such as CompTIA Network+ or Cisco CCNA. Most people start in help desk or network support, then add security, automation and cloud networking skills to move into engineering and architecture roles.
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Every app, video call, payment and cloud service depends on networks that someone designed, built and keeps running. That someone is often a network engineer. It is one of the most durable careers in IT, and it is changing quickly as companies move workloads to the cloud, adopt zero trust security and automate routine configuration.
If you like solving puzzles, understanding how things connect and being the person who fixes the outage, network engineering is worth a look. This guide covers what network engineers do, the skills and certifications that matter, typical first jobs and how to grow into cloud networking.
What a network engineer does
Network engineers plan, build, secure and troubleshoot the networks organizations depend on. Depending on the employer, that can mean an office network for 50 people, a hospital campus, a global WAN or the virtual networks inside a public cloud.
Common responsibilities include:
- Configuring routers, switches, firewalls and wireless access points
- Designing IP addressing, VLANs and routing between sites
- Setting up VPNs and secure remote access
- Monitoring performance and troubleshooting outages
- Applying security controls such as segmentation and access lists
- Documenting network designs and changes
- Increasingly, automating configuration with scripts and infrastructure as code
Network roles from entry level to senior
Job titles vary, but the career ladder usually looks like this:
| Role | Typical focus | Common background |
|---|---|---|
| Help desk or IT support | User issues, basic connectivity, device setup | Entry level, A+ or similar |
| Network technician or NOC technician | Monitoring, cabling, first-line network troubleshooting | Network+ or CCNA, some IT experience |
| Network administrator | Day-to-day operation of existing networks | 1 to 3 years in IT |
| Network engineer | Designing, implementing and fixing complex networks | CCNA-level skills plus several years of experience |
| Cloud network engineer | Virtual networks, hybrid connectivity, cloud security | Network engineering plus cloud skills |
| Network architect | Long-term design and strategy across the organization | Often 5+ years of related experience |
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) groups some of these jobs differently. It reports that network and computer systems administrators earned a median of $99,130 in May 2025, though it projects their employment to decline 4% from 2025 to 2035, with about 13,400 openings a year from replacement needs. Computer network architects earned a median of $134,050 in May 2025, with employment projected to grow 8%, and typically need a bachelor’s degree and 5 or more years of related experience.
The takeaway: traditional on-premises administration is shrinking, while design, cloud and security-focused networking roles are growing. Plan your skills accordingly.
Core networking skills to learn first
You cannot skip the fundamentals. These topics come up in every interview and every outage.
- The OSI and TCP/IP models, and what happens at each layer
- IP addressing and subnetting, including IPv6 basics
- Switching: VLANs, trunking, spanning tree
- Routing: static routes, OSPF and BGP concepts
- Core services: DNS, DHCP, NAT
- Wireless: standards, channels and why Wi-Fi gets slow. Our guide to mesh Wi-Fi vs a router covers the consumer side
- Security basics: firewalls, ACLs, VPNs and segmentation
- Troubleshooting tools: ping, traceroute, packet capture with Wireshark
- Linux command line and basic scripting
Certifications that matter
Certifications carry real weight in networking because they give employers a standard way to judge skills.
| Certification | Best for | Key facts (check official pages for current details) |
|---|---|---|
| CompTIA Network+ (N10-009) | Vendor-neutral foundation | Up to 90 questions in 90 minutes; CompTIA recommends A+ and 9 to 12 months of hands-on experience |
| Cisco CCNA (200-301) | The most widely recognized entry networking cert | 120-minute exam, listed at $300, no prerequisites, valid for 3 years |
| Microsoft Azure Network Engineer Associate (AZ-700) | Azure cloud networking | Covers core networking, hybrid connectivity, application delivery, private access and network security |
| AWS Certified Advanced Networking – Specialty | Senior AWS networking | AWS says the last day to take this exam is December 31, 2026 |
| Security certifications (for example CompTIA Security+) | Moving toward network security | Pairs well with any networking cert |
If you are starting from zero, many people take Network+ first, then CCNA. If you already have some IT experience, going straight to CCNA is common. For help deciding, see how to choose an IT certification.
Key takeaway: Fundamentals and hands-on practice matter more than any single certificate. Learn subnetting, routing and troubleshooting until they feel automatic, then use a certification like CCNA to prove it.
Build a home or virtual lab
Employers want people who have actually configured equipment, not just memorized acronyms. A lab lets you practice safely.
- Simulators and emulators: Cisco Packet Tracer, GNS3 or EVE-NG let you build virtual networks for free or low cost.
- Used hardware: an older managed switch and router can teach you real cabling and console access.
- Cloud free tiers: build a virtual network in AWS, Azure or Google Cloud with subnets, routing tables and security groups.
- Document everything. Write up each lab like a real change record: goal, design, steps, results and what broke. These write-ups become portfolio material and interview stories.
Lab ideas: build a 3-site network with VLANs and OSPF, set up a site-to-site VPN, segment a guest Wi-Fi network, or connect an on-premises lab to a cloud network.
Grow into cloud networking
Cloud networking is where much of the growth is. Companies still need people who understand routing, DNS and security, but now those concepts live in software-defined virtual networks.
Skills to add:
- Cloud networking concepts: VPCs or VNets, subnets, route tables, security groups, load balancers and private endpoints
- Hybrid connectivity: VPNs and dedicated links between data centers and the cloud
- Infrastructure as code: Terraform or cloud-native templates to define networks in code
- Network automation: Python, APIs and tools like Ansible
- Zero trust architecture: moving from perimeter security to identity-based access. Our explainer on zero trust security is a good primer
To choose a platform to focus on, see our comparison of AWS vs Azure vs Google Cloud. If cloud becomes your main interest, our roadmap for becoming a cloud engineer picks up from here.
Step-by-step path to your first network engineer job
- Learn the fundamentals over 2 to 4 months using free courses, a textbook and a simulator.
- Earn Network+ or CCNA. Schedule the exam to give yourself a deadline.
- Get an entry IT job in help desk, desktop support or a NOC. Our guide to getting an entry-level IT job explains how.
- Volunteer for network tasks at work: cabling projects, switch replacements, Wi-Fi surveys, firewall rule reviews.
- Keep a lab running and document 5 to 10 projects.
- Move into a network administrator or technician role after 1 to 2 years.
- Add a specialty: security, cloud, wireless, data center or automation.
- Apply for network engineer roles once you can design and troubleshoot independently.
Veterans with signal or communications backgrounds often move into networking quickly. See our guide to tech careers for veterans for transition programs that can help.
Do you need a degree?
A degree is helpful but not always required for entry and mid-level networking roles. Many network engineers built careers on certifications and experience. BLS notes that architect roles typically require a bachelor’s degree, and larger employers may prefer one for senior positions. If you are deciding whether to get one, focus on whether it will open specific doors in your target employers, and weigh lower-cost options such as community college programs.
The bottom line
Network engineering rewards people who understand how things connect and stay calm when they break. Start with fundamentals, prove them with Network+ or CCNA, get hands-on in a lab and an entry IT job, then grow into security, automation and cloud networking. That last step matters most, because the strongest demand is for engineers who can connect traditional networks to the cloud and secure them.
Sources
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics: Network and computer systems administrators — May 2025 median pay and projected 4% decline
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics: Computer network architects — May 2025 median pay, 8% growth and experience requirements
- Cisco: CCNA certification — exam topics, price, length and validity
- CompTIA: Network+ — exam format, domains and recommended experience
- Microsoft Learn: Azure Network Engineer Associate — AZ-700 skills measured
- AWS Certified Advanced Networking – Specialty — exam retirement date
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to become a network engineer?
It usually takes 2 to 5 years. Many people spend a few months learning fundamentals and earning Network+ or CCNA, then 1 to 3 years in help desk, NOC or network administrator roles before landing an engineer title. Those with a related degree or military communications experience often move faster. Hands-on experience is what most speeds the path.
Is CCNA or Network+ better for beginners?
Network+ is a gentler, vendor-neutral starting point, while CCNA is more widely recognized by employers and goes deeper into routing and switching. Complete beginners often take Network+ first, then CCNA. If you already have some IT experience or a strong study plan, starting with CCNA can save time and money.
Do network engineers need to know how to code?
Not traditionally, but it is increasingly valuable. Python scripting, APIs and tools like Ansible and Terraform help automate configuration and are common in cloud networking roles. You do not need to be a software developer, but basic scripting skills will set you apart and make you more efficient.
How much do network engineers make?
BLS does not list network engineer as a separate occupation. It reports a May 2025 median of $99,130 for network and computer systems administrators and $134,050 for computer network architects. Network engineer pay typically falls in between, varying by location, industry, certifications and experience. Cloud and security networking skills tend to command higher pay.
Is network engineering a dying career?
No, but it is changing. BLS projects a decline in traditional network administrator jobs, while computer network architect roles are projected to grow 8% from 2025 to 2035. Demand is shifting toward engineers who handle cloud networking, security and automation. Building those skills keeps a networking career strong.
Can I become a network engineer without a degree?
Yes, many do. Certifications like Network+ and CCNA, combined with hands-on lab work and entry-level IT experience, can lead to network engineer roles. Some larger employers and senior architect roles prefer or require a bachelor's degree, so you may consider one later, possibly paid for by an employer's tuition benefits.
What is a cloud network engineer?
A cloud network engineer designs and manages networks inside cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure and Google Cloud. The work includes virtual networks, subnets, routing, load balancers, hybrid VPN connections and security controls, often defined in code. It builds on traditional networking skills and is a common next step for experienced network engineers.
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Manishdai
Manishdai writes about the technology that is reshaping every industry — from AI agents and cloud platforms to healthtech, fintech and the IT companies building it all across the United States.
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