Online Degrees in Networking
Computer networking is a career field that has seen huge growth and change in the last decade. These two facts will hold true for the next decade. This career field has now split some different major categories. Network engineers and architects actually design, test, and set-up computer networks. Another category is that of network system administrators. These individuals support computer systems for organizations and businesses. They upkeep and install new network hardware and software, analyze problems, and ensure that the network is available and doing what users need it to. They can also be responsible to be sure the network is running efficiently. Database administration is another category of networking. Individuals in this area are responsible to keep database software, hardware, and information running smoothly. Another newer category is computer security specialist. Individuals in this area are needed to keep an organization's information protected from cyber attacks and coordinated securely.
Huge Growth Potential of Networking
This field is expected to have excellent growth potential over the next decade. Between now and 2018, this field is expected to have at least a 30 percent increase in growth, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. The growth in this field is created by firms needing to invest in new and faster technologies, store more information, and keep information and technologies secure and safe. Many companies will want to make their networks more wireless in the future, and this will also create a need for educated and skilled workers in the field of networking.
Excellent Wages for Networking Field
Those with a degree in this field can earn excellent wages. In 2008, the average salary for network administrators was over $66,000 annually according to the Occupational Outlook Handbook. The highest 10 percent of employees in this field earned over $104,000 per year. Those working for private companies and in management positions achieved a higher wage. Those working for government and educational facilities earned a lower wage.
Wonderful Educational Programs for Networking
In today's world, there are many great programs offered at colleges and universities to gain certifications and degrees in the field of computer networking. Many of these programs also allow students to specialize in one of the specific areas that were highlighted above like data administration or network system administration. Colleges and universities offer certifications, associate degrees, bachelor degrees, and graduate degrees in this field. Many schools also offer online classes in computer networking. The more education, training, and experience a graduate has the better salary can be expected upon entering this career field.
Networking Degrees
Individuals with networking degrees deal with the efficient transmission of information and the storage and analysis of information. They help individuals and organizations share and store information through computer networks and systems. Computer networks are an integral part of business, and demand for these workers will increase as firms continue to invest in new technologies. Following are three separate degree concentrations in the field of networking with the salary expectations of each:
Network Administration
Employment of network administrators is expected to increase by 23% in the next ten years.The average salary as of May 2010 was $72,200 taking into training, experience, and geographic location. The average salary for job postings in network administration nationwide is 7% higher than the average salaries for all job posting nationwide. Median annual wages of network administrators were $69,170 in May 2010. The middle 50 percent earned between $53,850 and $87,680. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $42,400, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $108,090. Median annual wages in the industries employing the largest numbers of network administrators in May 2010 were as follows:
- Computer Systems Design and Related Services-$77,560
- Management of Companies and Enterprises-$73,630
- Elementary and Secondary Schools-$61,260
- Colleges, Universities and Professional Schools-$62,950
- Wired Telecommunications Carriers-$73,220
For more details and geographic statistics you can view the Occupational and Employment Wages related to Network Administrators by the Bureau of Labor and Statistics. Payscale.com offers additional data on salaries, geographic saturations, and job postings for Network Administrator and you can view some charts and graphsrelated to this position at Indeed.com.
Network Management
Employment of network managers is expected to increase by 17% in the next ten years. The growth of computer and information systems managers should be closely related to the growth of the occupations they supervise: computer software engineers and computer programmers; computer systems analysts; computer network, systems, and database administrators; computer scientists; and computer support specialists. Wages of computer and information systems managers vary by specialty and level of responsibility. Median annual wages of these managers in May 2010 were $123,280. The middle 50 percent earned between $90,850 and $146,080. The lowest 10% earned less than $71,420 and the highest earned more than $166,400. Median annual wages in the industries employing the largest numbers of network managers in May 2010 were as follows:
- Computer Systems Design and Related Services-$133,450
- Management of Companies and Enterprises-$125,860
- Insurance Carriers-$119,220
- Colleges, Universities and Professional Schools-$100,710
- Software Publishers-$139,090
For more details and geographic statistics you can view the Occupational and Employment Wages related to Computer and Information Systems Managers by the Bureau of Labor and Statistics. Payscale.com offers additional data on salaries, geographic saturations, and job postings for Network Management and you can view some charts and graphsrelated to this position at Indeed.com.
Network Design
The average Network Design salaries for job postings nationwide are 23% higher than average salaries for all job postings nationwide. The average salary as of July 2011 was $70,000 and $90,000 depending on job title, responsibilities, and years of experience. Salaries in this field have been steadily climbing since July 2009. Network Design encompasses varying career paths from Telecommunications Network Engineer to Software Engineer to Network Support Engineer. Following are some median salary listings as of June 2011 with varying degrees of network design by job designation:
- Telecommunications Network Engineer-$66,749
- Sr. Network Engineer-$88,976
- Network Engineer, IT-$70,500
- Senior Systems Administrator-$80,000
- Software Engineer-$84,732
- Network Support Engineer-$65,000
- Technical Sales Engineer-$83,524
Payscale.com offers additional data on salaries, geographic saturations, and job postings for Network Design and you can view some charts and graphs related to this position at Indeed.com. You can also view a summary report at O*NET OnLine.
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