Network Engineer Salary Guide
Network engineers are highly skilled professionals responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining computer networks. They play a crucial role in ensuring the smooth functioning of businesses and organizations. If you are considering a career in network engineering, one of the factors you may be interested in is the salary range for this profession. This guide provides an overview of the average network engineer salaries in India, factors that affect salaries, and information on network engineering opportunities in other countries.
Who is a Network Engineer?
A Network Engineer is a professional who designs, installs and manages the computer infrastructure of an organization. They are responsible for maintaining network hardware and software, such as servers, switches, routers, and firewalls. Network Engineers troubleshoot problems and ensure that the network runs smoothly and efficiently.
What Do Network Engineers Do?
Network Engineers are responsible for creating and managing computer networks for their organizations. They work with a team to ensure that the network infrastructure is reliable, secure, and efficient. Tasks can include designing network layouts, optimizing network performance, troubleshooting problems, and staying up-to-date with the latest network technology trends.
Network Engineer Salary in India
The average salary for a network engineer in India is around INR 404,883 per year. However, salaries can vary depending on experience, skills, education, and location.
Skills That Affect Network Engineer Salaries
Network Engineer salaries are often impacted by the following skills:
- Routing and Switching
- Network Security Management
- Wireless Network Management
- Network Architecture Design
- Storage Area Network (SAN)
- Virtualization
Payscale of a Network Engineer on Experience Level
Salaries for Network Engineers in India can vary significantly based on experience:
- Entry-level: INR 205,000 – INR 440,000 per year
- Mid-career: INR 290,000 – INR 1,000,000 per year
- Experienced: INR 500,000 – INR 1,700,000 per year
- Expert: INR 1,000,000+ per year
Payscale of a Network Engineer on Education/Skillset
Network Engineers with specialized skills or advanced degrees can earn higher salaries:
- Bachelor’s degree: INR 259,253 – INR 1,200,000 per year
- Master’s degree: INR 473,636 – INR 1,700,000 per year
- Certifications such as CCNA, CCNP, and CCIE can increase salaries by up to 30%
Payscale of a Network Engineer on Location
Network Engineer salaries can vary based on where they work within India:
- Bangalore: INR 303,948 – INR 1,377,000 per year
- Chennai: INR 318,266 – INR 1,082,000 per year
- Delhi: INR 231,202 – INR 1,500,000 per year
- Mumbai: INR 250,093 – INR 1,500,000 per year
Job Roles and Responsibilities of a Network Engineer
The job responsibilities of a network engineer can include:
- Designing and implementing network configurations
- Installing and maintaining network hardware and software
- Monitoring network performance and security
- Troubleshooting network problems
- Researching and evaluating new network technologies
Skills Required to Become a Network Engineer
Skills required to become a successful Network Engineer include:
- Strong knowledge of networking principles and protocols
- Familiarity with network hardware and software
- Ability to troubleshoot network problems
- Awareness of security issues and best practices
- Attention to detail and strong organizational skills
Network Engineer Salary in Other Countries
Network Engineer salaries can vary widely depending on the country:
- USA: $51,132 – $116,034 per year
- UK: £22,000 – £67,000 per year
- Australia: AU$60,000 – AU$130,000 per year
- Canada: C$44,000 – C$105,000 per year
Top Companies Who Hire Network Engineers in India
Top companies who hire Network Engineers in India include:
- Tech Mahindra
- Wipro
- Tata Consultancy Services
- IBM India
- Accenture
How to Prepare for Network Engineer Interviews
Preparing for a Network Engineer interview involves the following key steps:
- Researching the company and position
- Reviewing common Network Engineer interview questions
- Preparing examples of past experience and accomplishments
- Practicing problem-solving and analytical skills
Prospects of Network Engineering
Network Engineering is a growing field as businesses increasingly rely on technology for their operations. The demand for skilled Network Engineers is expected to remain high in the coming years, with the BLS projecting a 5% growth rate for computer network architects from 2019-2029.
FAQs
- Q.1: What is a network engineer’s salary? A: The average network engineer salary in India is INR 404,883 per year.
- Q.2: Do network engineers make good money? A: Yes, network engineers can make good money, especially with experience and specialized skills.
- Q.3: Is networking a dying field? A: No, networking is still a vital and growing field with increasing demand for Network Engineers.
- Q.4: Is network engineering a good career? A: Yes, network engineering is a good career for those interested in technology, problem-solving, and innovation.
- Q.5: Which country pays the highest to network engineers? A: The USA pays the highest average salary for network engineers, ranging from $51,132-$116,034 per year.
The Role of a Network Engineer
A network engineer, also known as a computer network architect, is responsible for designing, planning, implementing, and monitoring computer networks that support various services such as wireless, video, data, and voice. This is a highly respected job that requires expertise in networking. Network engineers work with different types of networks, including LAN (Local Area Network), WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network), VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol), DAN (Desk Area Network), and PEN (Personal Area Network).
What does a Network Engineer do?
A Network Engineer is responsible for designing, building, implementing, and maintaining computer networks for businesses. They work to fix issues, ensure system security, and update software. Additionally, they are accountable for diagnosing problems, performing routine maintenance, improving network performance, and optimizing efficiency for all business locations. The position may require a bachelor’s degree in IT or computer science, and applicants should possess a range of technical skills and soft skills. Network Engineers stay current with industry advancements and regularly attend training sessions and conferences to refine their expertise.
Average Network Engineer Salary in India
A Network Engineer in India earns an average of ₹342,658 per year, which is roughly ₹27,300 per month. Monthly salaries range from ₹14,200 to ₹41,800 from the lowest to the highest.
This figure includes benefits such as housing and transportation. The amount earned varies greatly based on factors such as experience, skillset, location, and gender.
// Example: Junior Network Engineer in Delhi
Factors Impacting Salaries of Network Engineers
There are various skills that can influence the salaries of network engineers.
// Code related to the factors impacting salaries could go here, but none was provided
As with any profession, having a combination of in-demand and specialized skills can lead to better job opportunities and higher salaries for network engineers.
Salary Range for Network Engineers Based on Experience
The pay scale for Network Engineers varies based on their experience level. Here is an overview of the average total salary for network engineers:
- Entry-Level (less than 1 year of experience): ₹253,702 per year
- Early Career (1-4 years of experience): ₹307,034 per year
- Mid-Career (5-9 years of experience): ₹540,361 per year
- Experienced (10-19 years of experience): ₹829,081 per year
- Long Career (20 years or more): ₹780,000 per year
Note: All salaries mentioned above include tips, bonuses, and overtime pay.
Salary Comparison of Network Engineers Based on Education and Skillset
Education plays a crucial role in determining a person’s income. To determine how much the pay scale varies among network engineers based on their education, we categorized the average monthly income as per their education level.
- Certificate or Diploma – 19,200 INR/month
- Bachelor’s degree – 29,100 INR/month (52% more than Certificate/Diploma)
- Master’s degree – 41,200 INR/month (42% more than Bachelor’s degree)
Apart from education, certain skills are expected from a network engineer to enhance their earning potential. These skills include network engineering, CISCO, wide area network, router, Java, and Python.
Code:
“`
# Calculates salary based on education level
def calculate_salary(education_level):
if education_level == “Certificate or Diploma”:
return 19200
elif education_level == “Bachelor’s Degree”:
return 29100
elif education_level == “Master’s Degree”:
return 41200
# Displays expected skills of a network engineer
def display_expected_skills():
skills = [“Network engineering”, “CISCO”, “Wide area network”, “Router”, “Java”, “Python”]
for skill in skills:
print(“- ” + skill)
# Main function to execute the above functions
def main():
education_level = “Master’s Degree”
salary = calculate_salary(education_level)
print(“Average monthly income for a ” + education_level + ” holder: ” + str(salary) + ” INR”)
print(“Expected skills for a network engineer:”)
display_expected_skills()
if __name__ == “__main__”:
main()
“`
Note: INR stands for Indian Rupees.
Network Engineer Salaries by Location
The salary of a network engineer varies based on their location. In countries with a high demand for network engineers, they are well compensated. However, in low-paying locations, the salary difference compared to other professions is not significant. Let’s take location into account when considering network engineer salaries. Code: N/A.
Network Engineer Job Responsibilities in the US
As a Network Engineer, you’ll manage computer networks, hardware, and software. Your role involves creating solutions, diagnosing and solving network problems, and configuring equipment. You’ll assess network performance and design and execute new solutions to improve resilience. You’ll also manage inter-organizational networks, provide support, and configure firewalls and IP voice services. Your responsibilities also include determining communication needs, designing network plans, and staying up-to-date with the latest technology trends. Your focus will be on wiring, hardware needs, and network performance enhancement.
Requirements to Become a Network Engineer
To become a network engineer in the US, a bachelor’s degree in computer
science or a related field is necessary. Network engineers should have
strong knowledge of the network’s infrastructure and hardware.
There are several specialized courses available to gain the required
skills and knowledge for networking certifications, including CCIE,
CCNP, ENTJNCIE-JNCIE-ENTJNCIE-ENTJ, Network Plus, and WCNA.
Network engineers must have analytical and problem-solving skills and
be able to learn new technological and product-related information quickly.
They should also have experience in network security, LAN, and WAN.
Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, are essential for
network engineers to collaborate with people both inside and outside of IT.
For wireless network engineers, familiarity with wireless equipment,
protocols, and design is necessary, and a professional certification like
Certified Wireless Network Professional (CWNP) is ideal.
Network Engineer Salaries Around the World
Just like any other occupation, network engineer salaries vary by country. Among the most popular destinations for network engineers are the United States, Canada, Australia, United Arab Emirates, and United Kingdom. Depending on experience, network engineers can make anywhere from $6000 to $15000 per month in these countries.
For those working in other parts of the world, these salary ranges present an appealing opportunity. Therefore, many network engineers are concentrating on enhancing their skills and expertise in order to secure positions in these highly desirable locations.
Top Companies Hiring Network Engineers in India
- Microsoft
- Salesforce
- ACT Fibernet
- Accenture
- Thomson Reuters
- Tata Communications
- Capgemini Engineering
- Deloitte
Preparing for a Network Engineer Interview
To ace a network engineer interview, one needs to be well-versed in both technical and soft skills. Here are some tips for both:
Technical Skills:
– Understand subnetting, subnet masks, slashed notation, CIDR, and wildcard masks.
– Memorize all administrative distances for routing protocols.
– Know the basics of TCP 3-way handshakes, setting up HSRP, IP helpers, and other protocols.
– Understand the spanning tree, root bridges, VTP, and RSTP.
– Review VLANs and understand what they are.
– Have a strong command over problem-solving skills and Data Structures and Algorithms.
Soft Skills:
– Be honest, genuine, and professional while answering non-technical questions.
– Do research on the company’s website and the job description to gain more knowledge about their work and requirements.
– Prepare for non-technical questions such as the reason for choosing a network engineer as a profession, strengths and weaknesses, past challenges and conflicts, proud achievements, and future aspirations.
Remember that being a good team player is as important as technical skills while working with a group of individuals.
Network Engineering Career Opportunities in the US
To become a successful network engineer, one needs to master programming, security, storage, and systems. In addition to routing and switching, companies heavily invest in SD-WAN, security, virtualization, and cloud computing technologies.
If experts in the field, network engineers can advance to senior network managers or other related positions.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), job growth for computer network architects is projected to be 6% between 2016 and 2026 – a rate that is on par with average for all occupations. As businesses continue to expand their IT networks, the need for network engineers’ services will consequently increase.
Network Engineer Salary in India
On average, a Network Engineer in India earns ₹468,500 per year (₹39,050 per month), which is 21% higher than the national average salary. The starting salary for a Network Engineer is around ₹165,000 per year, while the highest-paid Network Engineers can earn up to ₹900,000 per year.
Salary of Network Engineers
Network engineers have a wide range of salaries. The lowest pay is less than $51,000 per year, typically for those working for smaller businesses with responsibilities similar to an administrative assistant. On the other hand, the highest-paid network engineers earn around $110,000 per year, and some even make more than $200,000 per year.
Is the Field of Networking Becoming Obsolete?
Definitely not! Companies are constantly seeking individuals with technical and networking knowledge to enhance their systems. Pursuing a career in networking is definitely worthwhile to consider.
Is Network Engineering a Good Career?
Network engineering offers a promising career with favorable pay, job prospects, and growth opportunities due to a high demand for qualified professionals in the field. Becoming a network engineer can be an exciting and rewarding career choice.
Highest paying country for Network Engineers
The United States pays the highest salary to network engineers with a maximum of $120,000 per year. Although India has the largest population of network engineers in the world, the pay scale is not as competitive.
