A look into the networking job market for 2025
Networking has changed due to interest in automation, AI and cloud. Network professionals and candidates should consider advanced skills to stay competitive in the job market.
The U.S. economy surpassed expectations and added over 260,000 jobs in December 2024, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. But it remains to be seen how much of that excitement will carry over to the IT networking space in 2025.
The jobs market for networking pros is changing, with less need for lower-level positions and greater demand for advanced and specialized roles. A significant factor in the networking job market is the increased use of automation to perform various network-related tasks. This trend places greater impetus on networking pros to invest in training and reskilling to keep their skills competitive.
According to Michael Tischler, senior recruiter at IT staffing firm Staffing Technologies, network automation has become a standard to improve business efficiency. Companies need professionals who work on entry-level tasks and those who can troubleshoot tricky problems, Tischler said.
AI is also affecting the networking hiring market, he said. With many vendors integrating AI and machine learning (ML) into network management, organizations can use AI and predictive analysis to minimize downtime, identify security risks and maximize efficiency. Even tools like ChatGPT can help reduce daily tasks, Tischler said.
Networking staffing trends for 2025
The role of networking professionals has shifted significantly in the past few years, said Kanani Breckenridge, CEO and headhunter at Kismet Search, a recruiting agency. Breckenridge said the change is mostly due to the rapid adoption of cloud technologies, edge computing and AI.
What was once a data center-focused, hardware-centric discipline now requires expertise in software-driven, virtualized network environments, she said. According to Breckenridge and Tischler, networking pros need proficiency in the following areas:
- Software-defined networking (SDN).
- Software-defined WAN.
- Programming.
- Network orchestration technologies.
- AI.
- Cloud-based network management.
- Zero trust.
- Hybrid networking.
Communication and collaboration tools are also in greater demand, Tischler said, as network engineers take on more project management roles within their organizations. Specific needs depend on the industry and company, he added.
According to Don Welch, vice president for IT and global CIO at NYU, network professionals incorporate various technologies and tools into their workflows, requiring competency in multiple areas. Examples include the following:
- Wi-Fi and wired connectivity. These remain foundational to networking.
- Private 5G. Interest in private 5G has grown, but it isn't widespread across the enterprise yet.
- Cloud and hybrid networking. Organizations that haven't moved to the cloud yet need to hire staff to manage the infrastructure.
Top skills in demand
Many organizations have decided to adopt a cloud-first strategy, which has created a significant demand for networking professionals who can architect and manage hybrid and multi-cloud environments, Breckenridge said.
"The ability to integrate on-premises systems with cloud services is key," Breckenridge said. "With the complexity of networks increasing, companies are prioritizing candidates skilled in network automation using tools like Ansible, Terraform and AI-driven monitoring systems."
According to Breckenridge, specific skills employers want from networking professionals include the following:
- Network automation.
- Cloud networking.
- SDN.
- Zero trust and secure access service edge.
- Edge computing.
- IoT.
Hot markets and top earning potential
Pay potential for networking jobs varies significantly based on the market and technology, as well as the skills and years of experience the individual has. Tischler said he helped hire five network engineers in 2024, whose salaries ranged from $120,000 to $185,000. He added, however, that these salaries are on the higher end of the spectrum.
Software firm Skillsoft released its "IT Skills & Salary Report" in November 2024, which found that the global average salary for technology professionals is $88,448. Salaries for networking professionals typically average above that, regardless of location and industry.
According to Skillsoft, the average annual salaries for skilled networking professionals are the following:
- Network administrators -- $93,126.
- Network engineers, analysts and technicians -- $103,476.
- Network managers -- $127,875.
- Network architects -- $137,450.
As for geographic and industry markets, Breckenridge said major metropolitan areas typically offer the best compensation.
"Top areas of growth are in energy and AI," she said. "Other industries that are growing are finance, telecom and healthcare."
Train and upskill to remain competitive
As networking grows more complex, Welch said it's important for networking professionals and candidates to keep up with new tool releases. It's still important for network professionals to understand what network management automation tools do, even though they might not manually perform the tasks anymore.
"Network engineers who have documented experience managing a team of other network engineers, while being current with skills and certifications themselves, are among the rarest and most sought-after candidates," Tischler said. "Very few candidates can effectively do both."
Beyond that, Breckenridge said certain skills, traits and capabilities separate the best network job candidates from the rest. Top capabilities include the following:
- Continuous learning. Network professionals should continuously upskill to keep up with trends and changes and remain up to date.
- Analytic skills. Network professionals should know how to mitigate complex issues when they occur. Teams should be able to troubleshoot and use critical thinking when new threats or incidents arise.
- Communication skills. Network professionals must be able to work with other groups effectively and translate technical approaches to address their organization's business objectives.
David Weldon is a freelance writer in the Boston area who covers topics related to IT, data management, infosec, healthcare tech and workforce management.
