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Careers›Roles›Computer Network Engineer
Mid-Level

Computer Network Engineer

The networks that carry a company's data and keep everyone connected get designed, built, and kept alive by you, from routers and switches to the architecture behind them. Where connectivity is engineered.

Career Level
Junior
Mid
Senior
Director
VP
Executive
Work Personality
I
C
R
E
A
S
Investigativeanalytical, curious
Conventionalorganizing, detail-oriented
Based on Holland Code framework
Industries that often hire Computer Network Engineers
Professional Services · 37%Technology & Information · 18%Financial Services · 10%Administrative Services · 6%Wholesale & Distribution · 4%Manufacturing · 4%
Job markets for Computer Network Engineers
Employment concentration · ~257 areas
Based on employment in related occupations
Mapped SOC categories:
Engineering
BLS Occupational Employment Statistics
Jump to:What it's likeCareer pathsBy the numbers
What it's like

What it's like to be a Computer Network Engineer

The work spans designing network architecture, configuring equipment, monitoring performance, and troubleshooting when things break. You often carry on-call duty, balancing planned work against firefighting. Uptime is the whole game, and a network outage stops everyone at once, so the pressure spikes when something fails.

What surprises people is the pressure of outages and constant change: problems can strike at any hour, and security threats never stop. Documentation and change control matter, the work can be both planned and reactive, and environments range from small to sprawling, which changes the job.

It fits someone methodical, calm under pressure, and always learning. If you need predictable hours or hate being on call, the role can wear. But if you like keeping critical infrastructure humming, and the quiet win of a network no one has to think about, the work tends to reward it.

What people in this role value
AchievementHigh
Working ConditionsAbove avg
IndependenceAbove avg
RecognitionModerate
SupportModerate
RelationshipsLower
O*NET Work Values survey
✦ Editorial — written by Truest from industry research and career patterns
Career Paths

Where this role sits in the broader career landscape — and where it can take you.

Earning potential across this track
$239K$179K$119K$60K$0KLower paying387 metro areas, sorted by salary level
All experience levels1
This level's estimated range
INDUSTRIES PAYING ABOVE AVERAGE
Technology & Information$117K+15%
Professional Services$103K+1%
Energy & Utilities$87K-14%
Financial Services$86K-16%
Wholesale & Distribution$74K-28%
Compared to Engineering average across all industries
1 BLS OEWS May 2024 covers all Computer Network Engineers (SOC 15-1241.00), not just this title · BEA RPP 2023
* Top salaries exceed this figure. BLS caps reported wages at ~$240K to protect individual privacy in high-earning roles.
Related rolesExplore Engineering →
Computer Network EngineerComputer Systems SpecialistNetwork AnalystNetwork Control AnalystNetwork SpecialistNetwork ConsultantComputer Network AnalystNetwork Control Analyst AssistantTelecommunications Network TechnicianNetwork Systems AdministratorComputer Systems Security AdministratorWide Area Network Administrator (WAN Administrator)Local Area Network Administrator (LAN Administrator)Wide Area Network Systems Administrator (WAN Systems Administrator)Local Area Network Systems Administrator (LAN Systems Administrator)Network TechnicianComputer NetworkerNetwork Data SpecialistNetwork Support SpecialistComputer Network SpecialistInternet Network SpecialistComputer Operations TechnicianNetwork Applications SpecialistPersonal Computer Network AnalystNetwork Desktop Support Specialist+1 more
Exploring the Computer Network Engineer career path? Truest helps you figure out if it's the right fit — and plan your path forward.
Explore career tools
✦ Editorial — career progression and interview guidance based on industry patterns
The Broader Landscape

Roles like this one sit within a broader occupational category. The numbers below reflect that full landscape — helpful for context, but your specific experience will depend on level, specialty, and where you work.

$80K–$198K
Salary Range
10th – 90th percentile
177K
U.S. Employment
+11.9%
10yr Growth
11K
Annual Openings

How this category is changing

$77K$74K$71K$68K$65K201920202021202220232024$65K$77K
BLS OEWS May 2024 · BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034

Skills & Requirements

Critical ThinkingReading ComprehensionProgrammingSystems EvaluationComplex Problem SolvingSystems AnalysisJudgment and Decision MakingActive ListeningWritingSpeaking
O*NET OnLine · Bureau of Labor Statistics
Mapped SOC Codes
15-1241.00

Explore related roles

Roles with similar work and overlapping career paths

midComputer Systems Specialist$79KmidNetwork Analyst$104KmidNetwork Control Analyst$100KmidNetwork Specialist$89KmidNetwork Consultant$102KmidComputer Network Analyst$102K
View all Engineering roles →

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Federal data: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (May 2024) · BLS Employment Projections · O*NET OnLine
Truest editorial: Fit check, role profile, things that vary, advancement analysis, lateral moves, interview questions.