Network Technician Jobs Overview
Behind every computer network is a technician making sure that everything runs smoothly. They often work in the background until there's a network problem, when they suddenly become the hero saving the day. By resolving network outages and other issues, network technician jobs minimize lost productivity and missed deadlines.
Network technicians oversee and maintain computer networks, including virtual private networks (VPN), local area networks (LAN), and wide area networks (WAN), for companies, organizations, and government and academic institutions. If resolving challenging problems motivates you, this could a great career. You'll also enjoy this job if you like explaining complicated technical issues to others, since network technicians often provide technical support to staff.
As a network technician, you may be responsible for:
- developing and maintaining networks
- diagnosing and resolving network problems
- installing and supporting network hardware and software
- logging data and network problems
- conducting quality control tests
- backing up data
- developing and maintaining an emergency data recovery plan
- providing technical assistance to staff
Network technicians are one of many positions in the field of information technology. You can also look into other computer jobs, for example:
Network Technician Education and Skills
The minimum requirement for a job as a network technician is typically an associate degree in computer science, electrical engineering, or telecommunications. Many jobs require a bachelor's degree in a similar field.
Specializing in a specific network or product can help you on the job market but is not required. Many computer companies offer certificates in their products, and you can also get a certificate from an industry group. These are just some examples:
Network technicians need a number of skills to succeed, including:
- Analytical thinking and problem-solving skills
- A good understanding of math
- Technical writing skills to create documents, reports, and easy-to-read instructions
- Verbal communication skills to explain technical solutions to staff who need help in other departments
You can learn more about what employers are looking for in our help desk job description.
Update Your Network Technician Resume
Does your job application need troubleshooting? Take a look at our collection of sample IT resumes and cover letters to learn how to list your education and work experience and how to talk about the skills you'll bring to the position:
Interviewing for a Network Technician Job
Go beyond preparing for a typical job interview by practicing answers to common questions related to your profession. Monster has a page on sample IT interview questions that can help you get started. Read it to learn how best to answer questions such as:
- How do you provide technical assistance and support to customers?
- What types of IT software are you most proficient at?
- How do you manage technical staff and track their performance?
How Much Do Network Technician Jobs Pay?
When you have an interview lined up, be sure to research the average salary in your area. That way, you can negotiate when you get the job offer. Network support technicians make a median annual salary of $52,156 in the United States. Use our Salary Tools to find local stats.
Find IT Companies in Our Corporate Profiles
Network technicians typically work for either the IT department of a business, organization, or academic institution or an IT company that provides technical support for clients. Because of this, there are many workplaces in need of network technicians. Find the place you want to work for in our company profiles to learn more about them and see if they have any job openings.
Optimize Your Job Search by Using Monster
Do you wish there were a help desk you could call for your job search? We know it can feel overwhelming, which is why you can find and apply for network technician jobs all in the same place on Monster. To get started on your application, create a profile and upload your resume.