Also called: Network Architect, Network Design Engineer
Designs the data networks that connect offices, campuses, data centers, and the internet.
You design the network for a new hospital so every monitor, phone, and laptop stays connected and secure. You test equipment, plan cable routes, and present the design to leadership.
May 2025 BLS median $134,050.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 8 years after high school. Bachelor's in CS or engineering plus 5-10 years of networking experience.
Ways in: 4-year college, Certification, On-the-job training. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Computer Science, Network Engineering, Electrical Engineering.
Growing much faster than average (about 8% over 10 years). BLS projects 8% growth, 2025-35.
Low risk in 5 years, medium in 10. AI helps plan and simulate networks, but designing campus and data center networks stays senior human work.
Classes: AP Computer Science Principles, Physics, Algebra II.
Official data: O*NET occupation 15-1241.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.