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How to become a Network Engineer

Designs the networks that administrators run day to day, and gets called in when routing or switching gets complicated. From network administrator: every step, how long it takes, and the credential it earns.

Time to get there
3–5 years
Typical pay
$92k–$125k
Starting from
Network administrator

Pay is an estimate of typical US entry-level pay for this role and varies by state, employer and shift. The timeline assumes you are starting from network administrator and includes any licence or programme legally required, not just course length.

Commonly asked for

  • Bachelor's degree in a technical field commonly asked for at this level
  • 2–3 years working as a network administrator first
  • CCNA expected, CCNP preferred for senior postings
See network engineer jobs open now

The route

  1. Start as a network administrator

    Engineers design what administrators run. You need the running first.

    Typical titles at this level

    • Network Administrator
    • Systems Administrator
    • IT Support Specialist

  2. Hold your CCNA

    The floor for the role, not the ceiling.

    Cisco CCNA

    Get it from Cisco

    Course that covers thisCISCO CCNA 200-301 Practice Exams (6) + ExplanationsUdemy · around $19.99

  3. Go deeper with CCNP

    Enterprise routing and switching at scale — this is what separates the pay bands.

    Cisco CCNP

    Get it from Cisco

    Course that covers this300-410 ~ CCNP Enterprise ENARSI Practice ExamUdemy · around $19.99

  4. Learn automation

    Network engineering is increasingly Python and APIs, not the CLI.

    Course that covers this380+ Exercises - Python Programming Mega Pack - Built-inUdemy · around $19.99

  5. Destination

    Network Engineer

    Browse jobs now

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