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Information Technology | Network Analyst / Specialist

Network Analyst / Specialist

What Does a Professional in this Career Do?

A Network Analyst or Specialist plans, implements, tests and maintains computer systems within a company. Analyses businesses to identify problems and recommends suitable technical solutions. May provide technical assistance and training.

Job Outlook

There were 681 Network Analyst / Specialist job postings in North Carolina in the past year and 18329 in the United States.

In combination with other careers in the Network Engineer / Architect industry, which includes the Network Analyst / Specialist career, the following graph shows the number of people employed for each year since 2015:

Salary

Many new Network Analyst / Specialist jobs have salaries estimated to be in the following ranges, based on the requirements and responsibilities listed in job postings from the past year.

National

The average estimated salary in the United States for this career, based on job postings in the past year, is $102,515.

State

The average estimated salary in North Carolina for this career, based on job postings in the past year, is $98,578.

Percentiles represent the percentage that is lower than the value. For example, 25% of estimated salaries for Network Analyst / Specialist postings in the United States in the past year were lower than $85,735.

Education and Experience

Posted Network Analyst / Specialist jobs typically require the following level of education. The numbers below are based on job postings in the United States from the past year. Not all job postings list education requirements.

Education LevelPercentage
Associate's Degree0%
Bachelor's Degree54.84%
Master's Degree11.46%
Doctoral Degree4.49%
Other13.25%

Posted Network Analyst / Specialist jobs typically require the following number of years of experience. The numbers below are based on job postings in the United States from the past year. Not all job postings list experience requirements.

Years of ExperiencePercentage
0 to 2 years31.49%
3 to 5 years40.96%
6 to 8 years17.68%
9+ years9.87%

Skills

Below are listings of the most common general and specialized skills Network Analyst / Specialist positions expect applicants to have as well as the most common skills that distinguish individuals from their peers. The percentage of job postings that specifically mention each skill is also listed.

Baseline Skills

A skill that is required across a broad range of occupations, including this one.

  • Communication (42.22%)
  • Operations (39.64%)
  • Troubleshooting (Problem Solving) (32.27%)
  • Management (30.93%)
  • Problem Solving (21.08%)
  • Leadership (20.46%)
  • Customer Service (18.89%)
  • Planning (17.82%)
  • Information Technology (17.39%)
  • Research (14.75%)

Defining Skills

A core skill for this occupation, it occurs frequently in job postings.

  • Network Analysis (17.84%)
  • Computer Science (30.37%)
  • Network Administration (17.4%)
  • Network Routing (27.66%)
  • Network Monitoring (8.46%)

Necessary Skills

A skill that is requested frequently in this occupation but isn’t specific to it.

  • Fortinet (2.74%)
  • Network Support (10.39%)
  • Network Infrastructure (15.79%)
  • Data Analysis (9.42%)
  • Active Directory (6.52%)
  • Change Management (4.97%)
  • Technical Support (10.26%)
  • Microsoft Azure (7.35%)
  • Computer Networks (20.89%)
  • Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) (7.58%)
  • Operating Systems (13.66%)
  • Information Systems (14.15%)
  • Disaster Recovery (5.57%)
  • Linux (7.5%)
  • Local Area Networks (20.23%)
  • Virtual Private Networks (VPN) (10.88%)
  • Automation (9.52%)
  • Telecommunications (13.02%)
  • TCP/IP (11.45%)
  • Firewall (23.43%)
  • Vulnerability (11.94%)
  • Network Switches (19.77%)
  • Wide Area Networks (19.33%)
  • Cyber Security (14.71%)
  • Information Technology Infrastructure Library (5.55%)
  • Networking Hardware (16.53%)
  • Network Security (18.27%)
  • Project Management (16.85%)
  • Network Troubleshooting (9.03%)
  • Network Protocols (7.32%)
  • Network Engineering (8.72%)
  • Wireless Networks (4.64%)
  • Scripting (8.57%)

Distinguishing Skills

A skill that may distinguish a subset of the occupation.

  • Computer Network Defense (3.65%)
  • Cisco Networking (3.75%)
  • Juniper Network Technologies (5.07%)
  • Wireless LAN (4%)
  • Computer Forensics (4.05%)
  • Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocols (2.98%)
  • Wavelength-Division Multiplexing (3.58%)
  • Packet Analyzer (5.63%)
  • Network Management (6.29%)
  • Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) (3.44%)

Salary Boosting Skills

A professional who wishes to excel in this career path may consider developing the following highly valued skills. The percentage of job postings that specifically mention each skill is listed.

  • Wireless LAN (22.77%)
  • Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) (8.23%)
  • Border Gateway Protocol (49.83%)
  • Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocols (16.93%)
  • Network Management (35.76%)
  • Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) (45.61%)
  • Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) (19.56%)

Alternative Job Titles

Sometimes employers post jobs with Network Analyst / Specialist skills but a different job title. Some common alternative job titles include:

  • Network Analyst
  • Network Specialist
  • Network Exploitation Analyst
  • Network Security Analyst
  • Network Support Specialist
  • Network Infrastructure Specialist
  • Provider Network Specialist
  • Data Network Consultant
  • Digital Network Analyst
  • IT Network Analyst

Similar Occupations

If you are interested in exploring occupations with similar skills, you may want to research the following job titles. Note that we only list occupations that have at least one corresponding NC State Online and Distance Education program.

Common Employers

Here are the employers that have posted the most Network Analyst / Specialist jobs in the past year along with how many they have posted.

United States

  • Leidos (624)
  • Windstream (341)
  • Entergy (241)
  • CVS Health (240)
  • WSP Global (233)
  • Allegis Group (155)
  • Insight Global (154)
  • Humana (152)
  • ASGN (144)
  • TEKsystems (143)

North Carolina

  • WSP Global (16)
  • State of North Carolina (14)
  • Allegis Group (12)
  • First Citizens Bank (10)
  • Insight Global (9)
  • TEKsystems (9)
  • Therapeutic Alternatives (8)
  • Quick Services Llc (Qsl) (7)
  • University of North Carolina (7)
  • Amentum (7)

NC State Programs Relevant to this Career

If you are interested in preparing for a career in this field, the following NC State Online and Distance Education programs offer a great place to start!