Role

• Network engineers design the architecture and arrangement of equipment that can support the communications between organizations using local area networks, wide area networks, the Internet and other communications systems. Network and computer system administrators are appointed to an organization to ensure that all employees have reliable computer access and appropriate software. Database administrators focus on storing and organizing digital data. Frequently, their responsibilities cover linking files from several generations of systems and software. Computer security specialists ensure that the information remains private and secure. Network technicians setup, troubleshoot and repair computer networks.
  
  

Education

• This field offers several points of career entry, according to Janice Weinberg, author of "Debugging Your Information Technology Career." A four-year bachelor of science degree in computer network engineering can lead to computer network engineer positions. An associate's degree or professional certification appropriate for network technician jobs, when combined with work experience can, at times substitute for a bachelor's degree. Employers seeking network architects prefer to hire candidates with a master's level education, such as a master's degree in business administration with an information systems concentration.
  
  

Advancement

• Advancement might take the form of supervisory roles in information technology management, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Network architects or database administrators might gain managerial positions and achieve the executive role of chief technical officer. Some professionals who specialize in computer architectures of software languages might pursue careers as consultants, earning compensation for sharing their knowledge.
  
  

Market

• In 2008, about 961,200 people held positions in computer network technology in the United States, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. A third of these professionals held positions as network and computer systems administrators. Another third work as network and data communications analysts. The balance includes data administrators or computer specialists.
  
  

Earnings

• The median salary for network and computer systems administrators was $66,310 in 2008, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with 10 percent of people in this profession earning wages above $104,070. Network systems and data communications analysts enjoyed median incomes of $71,100 in 2008, with peak salaries of about $110,920.
  
  

Outlook

• Employment should increase at a much faster rate in this industry than in others. Bureau of Labor Statistics foresees an increase of 30 percent in job positions from 2008 to 2018. This surge of opportunities is due to the introduction of mobile technologies and cyberspace solutions. The drive for information security also boosts the number of jobs that involve systems that block computer virus infiltrations and unwanted tapping of information.