Network Engineer (LAN/WAN)

Designs, implements, and maintains enterprise LAN and WAN networks, configuring routers, switches, and firewalls, troubleshooting connectivity issues, and ensuring network performance and reliability.

From people doing the work

As a Network Engineer, my day involves a lot of troubleshooting and optimizing network performance. It's a good mix of hands-on work and strategic planning for network upgrades. It can be demanding, especially during outages, but solving complex problems and ensuring smooth operations is really satisfying.

Drawn from r/networking, Cisco Learning Network, 5-10 years experience

Attribution: Composite

Composite · Synthesised from r/networking, Cisco Learning Network, 5-10 years experience

Network Engineer (LAN/WAN) salary, education and outlook at a glance

Median salary: $95,000
Entry-level: $62,000
Senior: $140,000
Growth by 2033: 3%
Demand: Stable
Freelance potential: Moderate
Salary growth potential: 126%
Typical student debt: Moderate

Skills you need as a Network Engineer (LAN/WAN)

Hard skills

Cisco IOS/NX-OS
Routing Protocols (BGP/OSPF/EIGRP)
Switching (VLANs/STP/LACP)
Firewall Configuration
WAN Technologies (MPLS/SD-WAN)
Wireshark/Packet Analysis
Network Monitoring (PRTG/SolarWinds)

Soft skills

Problem Solving
Analytical Thinking
Documentation
Communication
Attention to Detail

Technical complexity: High

Tools of the trade

Core tools

Cisco IOS/NX-OS (Software): Operating system for Cisco networking devices, essential for configuration and management.
Routing Protocols (BGP/OSPF/EIGRP) (Standard): Fundamental protocols that enable communication between different networks and devices.
Wireshark (Software): A powerful network protocol analyzer used for troubleshooting, analysis, and development.

Commonly used

Firewall Configuration (Software): Configuring security appliances to protect networks from unauthorized access and threats.
Network Monitoring (PRTG/SolarWinds) (Software): Tools used to monitor network performance, availability, and identify potential issues proactively.

Specialist tools

SD-WAN (Framework): Software-defined wide area networking for optimizing connectivity and management across distributed locations.
Python (Language): Used for network automation, scripting tasks, and interacting with network devices via APIs.

How to become a Network Engineer (LAN/WAN)

Minimum education: Bachelor's in IT, Computer Science, or Networking; Cisco CCNA/CCNP certifications
Licensing: No
Years to mid-career: 4-4
Years to senior: 10-10
Career switching: Easy

Where this career leads

How people arrive here

Network Technician: An entry-level role focusing on basic network setup, maintenance, and initial troubleshooting.
System Administrator: Manages server infrastructure and operating systems, often involving some network configuration and troubleshooting.
Help Desk Specialist: Provides first-line technical support, resolving user issues that can include basic network connectivity problems.

Where you can go from here

Network Architect: Designs high-level network solutions, strategies, and infrastructure for organizations.
Cybersecurity Engineer: Focuses on securing network infrastructure, systems, and data from various cyber threats.
Cloud Engineer: Designs, implements, and manages network services and infrastructure within cloud environments.

Typical progression

Network Technician
Network Engineer
Senior Network Engineer
Network Architect
Director of Network Engineering

Network Engineer (LAN/WAN) job outlook and future demand

Automation probability: Low
AI disruption risk: Moderate
Demand trend: Stable

Job satisfaction as a Network Engineer (LAN/WAN)

Overall satisfaction: 6.5/10
Meaning: 6/10
Work-life balance: 6/10
Prestige: 8.2/10
Social perception: Moderate

Where practitioners gather

Professional organisations

NANOG: The North American Network Operators' Group, a professional organization focused on internet operational issues.

Podcasts and media

Packet Pushers: A popular podcast offering in-depth technical discussions and insights on various networking topics and trends.
Network World: A leading online publication providing news, analysis, and resources for enterprise networking professionals.

Reddit communities

r/networking: An active online community for network professionals to discuss technologies, issues, and career advice.

Online communities

Cisco Learning Network: A dedicated platform for learning, certification, and connecting with other Cisco networking enthusiasts and experts.