Navigating the Landscape of Network Jobs: Current Hiring Trends, Essential Skills, and Top Certifications

Network and infrastructure roles continue to evolve as companies integrate advanced technologies like AI-driven network operations, multicloud networking, zero trust network access (ZTNA), and SD-WAN. This article summarizes recent industry research, employment statistics, and trends in certifications that are influencing today’s network professionals, infrastructure, and operations leaders, and data center staff. Keep an eye on this page for the latest updates.

Recent statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicate that although there will be a growth in numerous IT roles through 2033, certain jobs such as network and computer systems administrators might see a reduction. Employment for computer network architects is expected to increase by 13.4%, while computer network support specialists will experience a 7.3% rise in job opportunities. However, network and computer systems administrators are projected to see a decrease of 2.6%.

The job segment labeled as “computer and mathematical occupations” by the BLS is anticipated to grow by 12.9% between 2023 and 2033, adding about 699,000 new jobs. This marks it as the second fastest growing group of occupations, just after healthcare support occupations which are predicted to grow by 15.2%.

Read the full story here: 10-year forecast shows growth in network architect jobs while sysadmin roles shrink

September 2024

IT employment ticked down .05% in August, leading to a decrease of 2,400 jobs from the previous month, as analyzed by TechServe Alliance. Annually, the IT job sector contracted by .33%, reflecting a loss of 17,500 jobs. However, there was a silver lining as engineering jobs increased by more than 1% year-over-year, accounting for an addition of 29,800 positions.

“As the overall job market softened in August, IT employment continued to face challenges in gaining momentum,” stated Mark Roberts, CEO of TechServe, in a statement. “Throughout 2024, job growth in the IT sector has remained nearly stagnant following 23 consecutive months of declining numbers. I anticipate IT employment to continue its sideways movement until clarity is reached regarding the economy, the national election, and ongoing geopolitical issues.”

September 2024

Employee education and training around AI will become more and more critical as research reveals that a majority of employees do not know how to apply the technology to their jobs.

According to Slingshot’s 2024 Digital Work Trends Report, 77% of employees reported that they don’t feel they are completely trained or have adequate training on the AI tools offered to them by managers. And for the most part, managers agree with just 27% saying that they feel employees are completely trained on the AI tools provided to employees.

The research, conducted in Q2 2024 by Dynata and based on 253 respondents, also noted that AI skills and quality data are significant barriers to AI success. Nearly two-thirds (64%) of all respondents noted that their organization doesn’t have AI experts on their team, which is preventing their employers from offering AI tools. Another 45% pointed to the quality of data within the organization as a top reason AI tools aren’t offered at work. A third reason that AI isn’t prevalent in some workplaces is that organizations don’t have the tech infrastructure in place to implement AI tools.

“Data is top of mind for employees too when it comes to AI: 33% of employers say their company would be ready to support AI if their company’s data was combed through for accuracy, and 32% say they need more training around data and AI before their company is ready,” the report reads.

September 2024

The U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) published its latest employment figures this week, showing a continuous decline in the ratio of job openings per unemployed person, suggesting a likely increase in unemployment levels.

Recent figures from the BLS Job Openings and Labor Turnover Summary (JOLTS) reveal there were 7.7 million job vacancies at the end of July, with job hires at 5.5 million and “separations” climbing to 5.4 million. The separations, which total 3.3 million, consist of voluntary quits, layoffs, and discharges (1.8 million) within the same period. These stats indicate increasing concerns about the future of employment in the nation.

An analysis by Indeed Hiring Lab assessing the BLS data commented, “The labor market has not just cooled down to pre-pandemic levels—it has gone colder, moving beyond moderation towards worsening conditions.”

For IT professionals, the BLS data indicates a slight increase in tech jobs by around 5,000 positions in 2024. However, this growth is not sufficient to accommodate the approximately 145,000 unemployed IT workers, as estimated by Janco Associates.

“The latest analysis of BLS data reveals that there are currently about 4.18 million jobs for IT professionals in the US. Continuous layoffs at major tech companies have negatively impacted IT hiring. Large tech companies, including Intel, Microsoft, and Google, have continued to announce layoffs aimed at improving their financial results,” commented M. Victor Janulaitis, CEO of Janco. “Moreover, BLS data indicates that although around 81,000 IT professionals were hired, 147,000 were still job searching as of June. We expect this trend to continue into July and August.”

September 2024

Technology professionals looking to certify their expertise in data science now have the option through CompTIA’s DataX certification program.

CompTIA’s newly introduced DataX program, part of the Xpert Series, draws on the expertise of data scientists from various sectors and emphasizes essential skills for a data scientist’s success. These include mathematics and statistics; modeling, analysis, and outcomes; operations and processes; machine learning; and specific data science applications. Aimed at seasoned professionals with over five years of experience, the program pinpoints knowledge shortfalls and delivers educational content that covers expert-level topics.

“Obtaining a CompTIA DataX certification signifies a professional’s dedication to excellence in data science,” stated Teresa Sears, senior vice president of product management at CompTIA, in a statement. “The program confirms the high-level analytics skills necessary for organizations to improve efficiency, reduce risks, and fully leverage their data assets.”

August 2024

CompTIA is collaborating with Gebeya Inc. to extend the reach of its comprehensive library of IT, networking, cybersecurity, and cloud computing courses. Through this partnership, African individuals with an interest in technology will gain access to IT training and certification opportunities via CompTIA.

Gebeya, a Pan-African talent cloud technology provider, has pledged to “close the digital skills gap and drive digital transformation across Africa.” In collaboration with CompTIA, Gebeya aims to enhance the capabilities of tech enthusiasts across the continent. “Teaming up with CompTIA, we can incorporate a detailed skilling module into our Gebeya Talent Cloud, providing our customers and partners exceptional access to first-rate IT training and certifications,” stated Amadou Daffe, CEO of Gebeya, in a statement.

CompTIA is renowned for its vendor-neutral IT certification that addresses the basics across various IT functions, offering a library of courses to nurture prevailing in-demand technology skills and enhance tech proficiency globally.

Reinforcing their common goal, Benjamin Ndambuki, CompTIA’s area development representative for Africa, remarked, “Together with Gebeya’s wide network and regional expertise along with CompTIA’s globally acknowledged certifications, we are poised to support the rise of new African tech professionals in a flourishing digital marketplace.”

August 2024

New data released from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicates that prior job growth estimates were incorrect. The agency revealed this week that 818,000 fewer jobs had been added in the year up to March 2024 than initially thought. Alongside reports from Indeed suggesting a gradual rise in the unemployment rate, worries about a potential recession are increasing.

Indeed’s Hiring Lab states that “on a three-month average basis, the unemployment rate has increased by .55 percentage points from its lowest point of 3.5% in January 2023.” These revised BLS figures point to weaker than expected hiring and a cooling job market, yet Indeed maintains a stance of “cautious optimism” regarding the U.S. job market. For example, the sustained number of job openings and ongoing wage increases may still entice more individuals into the workforce.

“Another incentive possibly encouraging more people into the job market is the steady wage growth, which, although lower than recent peaks, matches levels seen before the pandemic,” Indeed reports.

August 2024

The semiconductor industry might soon face a significant labor shortage as its growth in the US has exceeded the number of available skilled workers. According to a McKinsey & Company report, public and private investment in this sector is expected to soar to over $250 billion by 2032, creating upwards of 160,000 new jobs in engineering and technical fields. However, considering a sharp 43% reduction in the US domestic semiconductor manufacturing workforce since 2000, filling these positions could be challenging. The report estimates that by 2029, there could be a deficit of up to 146,000 engineers and technicians.

August 2024

New resources from CompTIA are being introduced to educate individuals about various tech roles and help them customize a career path suited to their abilities and interests.

“Many people are either intimidated by the tech sector or think the jobs are tedious or too challenging,” remarked Todd Thibodeaux, president and CEO of CompTIA, in a statement. “Our goal is to shed light on the exciting job prospects in tech, encourage individuals to pursue these opportunities, and provide the essential education and skills they need to be successful.”

Among the new resources is CompTIA Career Explorer, which the nonprofit organization says will help professionals tailor a career path that aligns with their workstyles and lifestyles. With the tool, jobseekers can test drive “a day in the life of specific job roles and challenge themselves with real-time, true-to-life problem solving” related to the jobs.

CompTIA Career+ will provide users with an immersive, interactive video experience that “showcases a day in the life of in-demand job roles,” according to CompTIA. This resource will feature up to 30 job roles, representing about 90% of all tech occupations.

The organization announced the new resources at its CompTIA ChannelCon and Partner Summit conference. “We want people to associate CompTIA with the competencies and skills to work in technology,” Thibodeaux said.

August 2024

A new study conducted by Germany-based biotechnology provider Cytena reveals that California tops the list for the highest average salaries in the U.S. for those employed in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields.

Cytena evaluated salary information from over 75 STEM positions listed on the company review site Glassdoor to identify which U.S. states offer the most lucrative compensation for tech talent. With an average salary of $124,937 spanning numerous roles in the sector—from medical experts to mathematicians, and from data scientists to network and software engineers—California leads the ranking. Washington state closely follows, with an average salary slightly below $124,000, while New York holds the third position with an average yearly salary of $114,437. Nevada, Maryland, Massachusetts, Idaho, Hawaii, Colorado, and Connecticut also make it to the top ten states delivering the highest STEM salaries.

July 2024

Friday, July 26 commemorates the 25th annual System Administrator Appreciation Day. Occurring on the last Friday of July, SysAdmin Day pays tribute to IT professionals who oversee the seamless operation of organizational infrastructures and their supporting systems. Often considered a demanding but overlooked role, Ted Kekatos established this day to celebrate the individuals tasked with installing and configuring hardware and software, managing networks and technology tools, assisting end-users, and monitoring overall system performance.

Network and systems administrators often field complaint calls and resolve issues for end users, typically without receiving much acknowledgement for their efforts. As the unsung heroes of IT, sysadmins certainly merit a day dedicated to their recognition. Perhaps they also warrant a small token of appreciation for their extensive hours and hidden contributions.

July 2024

NetBrain Technologies introduced its Network Automation Certification Program, aimed at crediting engineers who excel in network automation skills. This program will provide network engineers an avenue to verify their capabilities and showcase their competencies, NetBrain announced. The initial exams are slated to commence on October 3, following the NetBrain Live Conference in Boston.

NetBrain currently offers three distinct network automation certifications accessible through its website:

July 2024

Skillsoft announced its partnership with Microsoft to launch the AI Skill Accelerator program, aimed at equipping organizations with the necessary skills to effectively utilize Microsoft’s AI technologies like Copilot and Azure Open AI, along with broader generative AI tools. The initiative is designed to enhance business productivity and foster innovation through more adept use of genAI technologies.

“This partnership with Microsoft marks the beginning of numerous AI-focused learning initiatives we plan to introduce to support our customers and their staff—from daily users to senior leaders, and AI developers—in mastering the competencies and technologies essential for success in the AI era,” stated Ron Hovsepian, executive chair at Skillsoft, in a release. Skillsoft’s annual IT Skills and Salary report, which surveyed 5,700 tech professionals globally, reveals that 43% believe their teams require better AI skills.

The AI Skill Accelerator program by Skillsoft provides a comprehensive learning approach that includes on-demand courses, individual and group coaching, live training led by instructors, and practical labs. Skillsoft states this program will empower clients to:

“Microsoft and Skillsoft are aligned in their mission to advance AI integration within businesses,” stated Jeana Jorgensen, corporate vice president of worldwide learning at Microsoft, in a statement. “This educational program aims to equip both individuals and organizations with the knowledge to leverage the vast potential of generative AI, Microsoft Copilot, and Microsoft’s AI apps and services.”

July 2024

Reports from IT employment trackers indicate that June saw the tech industry expand by over 7,500 new positions, even as the unemployment rate among tech professionals showed an increase.

According to CompTIA, the addition of approximately 7,540 new positions in June represented the most significant monthly growth of the year. This analysis of data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) by CompTIA indicates that this growth was tempered by a reduction of 22,000 tech jobs across the broader U.S. economy. “Despite areas of expansion, we’re observing some downward trends in tech employment,” commented Tim Herbert, chief research officer at CompTIA, in a statement. “Various elements, including AI FOMO, seem to play a role in how some employers are currently approaching tech recruitment.”

According to a report by Janco Associates, the unemployment rate for IT professionals in June rose to 5.9%, surpassing the national average in the US of 4.1%. They highlighted that the IT job market added approximately 7,700 jobs in May 2024 but the number of unemployed IT professionals increased from 129,000 to 147,000. They noted, “There is still a skills mismatch, with positions remaining unfilled due to the lack of adequately trained and experienced IT professionals. According to BLS data, around 78,000 IT professionals were hired, yet 147,000 are seeking employment.”

July 2024

CompTIA has recently updated its Network+ certification, expanding its scope to include broader knowledge about modern network environments, physical network installations, and enhanced security measures.

The revised Network+ exam, also known as N10-009, now encompasses topics like software-defined networking (SDN), SD-WAN, and introduces infrastructure as code (IaC), which CompTIA describes as “a transformative approach that uses code to enhance provision and support of computing infrastructure.”

The Network+ certification program has been updated to include zero-trust architecture and additional network protection methodologies. Read the complete article here: CompTIA updates Network+ certification

June 2024

Amazon Web Services (AWS) has introduced two new certifications focused on artificial intelligence for IT professionals aiming to enhance their credentials and secure AI-oriented positions. These certifications can aid individuals in landing positions that command up to 47% higher salaries in the IT field, as indicated by an AWS report.

The AWS Certified AI Practitioner certification is a basic-level course ensuring proficiency in AI, machine learning (ML), and generative AI principles and applications, as per AWS. This program, suitable for candidates familiar with AI/ML on AWS platforms, includes a detailed 120-minute exam with 85 questions covering a broad spectrum of topics including prompt engineering, responsible AI, and security measures for AI systems.

AWS Certified Machine Learning Engineer—Associate is a comprehensive 170-minute examination containing 85 queries aimed at acknowledging expertise in deploying ML occurrences effectively in production settings. It is best suited for individuals who have worked for a minimum of one year on Amazon SageMaker and other AWS services related to ML engineering. The examination scrutinizes topics like preparing data for ML algorithms, engineering features, training models, ensuring security, and beyond.

Enrollment for the new AWS certifications will commence on August 13.

June 2024

The latest AI certification from Cisco is crafted to equip IT professionals with the skills required to design, provision, and enhance networks and systems for challenging AI/ML tasks. Revealed at the Cisco Live event in Las Vegas, the Cisco Certified Design Expert (CCDE)-AI Infrastructure certification stands as a vendor-neutral, top-tier certification. This credential empowers tech professionals to design network architectures tailored for AI tasks, also taking into account operational business needs linked to AI such as budgetary trade-offs, energy consumption, and matching computational and cloud resources with environmental impact, as explained by Par Merat, the vice president of Cisco Learning and Certifications, in a blog entry.

According to Cisco, the new CCDE-AI Infrastructure certification focuses on topics such as GPU optimization in designs and constructing high-performing generative AI network infrastructures. The certification also covers aspects like sustainability and compliance in AI-supporting networks. The demand for these skills is widespread as indicated by the Cisco AI Readiness Index, revealing that 90% of organizations are making investments to bridge the AI skills gap. For further information, visit Cisco introduces CCDE-AI Infrastructure certification.

June 2024

As businesses increasingly require cybersecurity expertise, the present workforce is insufficient to satisfy the demands by 2024, as per data from CyberSeek, a resource developed through a collaboration of Lightcast, NICE, and CompTIA. The current workforce can fill only 85% of cybersecurity positions in the U.S. economy, leaving more than 225,000 positions vacant to bridge the cybersecurity skills deficit. The data also reflects a 37% decrease in job postings across all tech fields from May 2023 to April 2024.

“Though the demand for cybersecurity positions has settled back to rates seen before the pandemic, the existing gap in qualified cybersecurity professionals remains significant,” stated Will Markow, vice president of applied research at Lightcast. “Moreover, the rapid emergence of new threats and technologies is rapidly driving changes in cybersecurity skills requirements, necessitating that employers, educators, and the workforce stay ahead in adapting to a continuously changing security environment.”

The most sought-after roles include network engineers, systems administrators, cybersecurity engineers, cybersecurity analysts, security engineers, systems engineers, information systems security officers, network administrators, information security analysts, and software engineers, based on information from CyberSeek data.

“To establish a strong cybersecurity framework often involves revising strategies and approaches in talent acquisition,” remarked Hannah Johnson, senior vice president of tech talent programs at CompTIA. “This could mean upskilling existing cybersecurity workers to take on more sophisticated roles or recruiting individuals who can demonstrate their expertise through professional certifications or other qualifications.”

June 2024

Recent employment data indicates a median salary of $100,399 for IT professionals, with total benefits reaching $103,692. According to a report by Janco Associates, Inc., IT salaries have increased by 3.28% over the last year, despite a 5% unemployment rate in this sector. The top executives have seen an increase of 7.48% in their total compensation packages, with average earnings of $184,354.

Janco Associates has highlighted a trend known as “salary compression,” where new employees are offered wages at the upper end of the scale for existing roles, often earning more than those already in similar positions.

It’s noted that midsized enterprises experience higher turnover compared to larger organizations, and their salary growth rate is also quicker. In midsized enterprises, salaries increased by 5.46%, in contrast to a 2.56% rise in larger companies.

May 2024

New research and survey results from IDC show that a growing lack of in-demand IT skills could be negatively impacting businesses’ bottom lines.

The IDC report, Enterprise Resilience: IT Skilling Strategies, 2024, reveals the most in-demand skills at enterprise organizations right now. Among the 811 respondents, artificial intelligence tops the list, cited by 45% of respondents, followed closely by IT operations (44%) and cloud solutions-architecture (36%). Other skills in demand right now include: API integration (33%), generative AI (32%), cloud solutions-data management/storage (32%), data analysis (30%), cybersecurity/data security (28%), IoT software development (28%), and IT service management (27%).

Nearly two-thirds (63%) of the IT leaders at North American organizations said the lack of these skills has delayed digital transformation initiatives, most by an average of three to 10 months. Survey respondents detailed the negative impacts of lacking skills in their IT organizations:

Considering these survey results, IDC predicts that by 2026, 90% of organizations worldwide will feel the pain of the IT skills crisis, potentially costing up to $5.5 trillion in delays, quality issues, and revenue loss. “Getting the right people with the right skills into the right roles has never been so difficult,” says Gina Smith, PhD, research director for IDC’s IT Skills for Digital Business practice, said in a statement. “As IT skills shortages widen and the arrival of new technology accelerates, enterprises must find creative ways to hire, train, upskill, and reskill their employees. A culture of learning is the single best way to get there.”

May 2024

A lack of specific technology skills worries IT executives, who report they will not be able to adopt new technologies, maintain legacy systems, keep business opportunities, and retain clients if the skills gap persists.

In a recent survey by online professional training provider Pluralsight, 96% of technologists said their workload has increased due to the skills gap, and 78% also reported that they abandoned projects partway through because they didn’t have employees with the necessary IT skills to successfully finish. While most organizations (78%) said their skills gap has improved since last year, survey respondents reported that cybersecurity, cloud, and software development are the top three areas in which a skills gap exists. IT executives surveyed said they worry the skills gap in their organizations will make it difficult to:

Pluralsight surveyed 1,400 executives and IT professionals across the U.S., U.K., and India to learn more about the technical skills gap and how organizations are addressing a lack of expertise in specific technology areas.

May 2024

Network automation continues to challenge IT leaders, influenced significantly by the shortage of skilled personnel in this area.

A study by Enterprise Management Associates, which included 354 IT professionals, revealed that only 18% believe their network automation strategies are completely successful. Furthermore, 54% acknowledge only partial success, while the remaining 38% either don’t know their success level or recognize their efforts as unsuccessful.

About a quarter (26.8%) of those surveyed indicated that challenges like skills shortages and high turnover among staff pose significant obstacles. One network engineer from a mid-sized business services firm highlighted in the EMA study commented, “The most challenging aspect for me is the small pool of network engineers with automation expertise. It’s difficult to find people who are able to aid in resolving issues.”

April 2024

CompTIA, a leader in IT certification and training, is broadening its offerings to address the increasing demand for skills in artificial intelligence (AI).

AI is not only becoming essential for existing job roles but also creating new positions within the industry. “We are seeing the introduction of new roles such as prompt engineering and AI systems architects, which are becoming crucial as they align with the strategic AI goals of numerous companies,” noted Teresa Sears, the vice president of product management at CompTIA.

According to Thomas Reilly, the chief product officer at CompTIA, millions of IT professionals will have to develop new AI competencies to keep pace with the evolving job market, as he stated. “Our goal is to offer a variety of certifications and training programs that cover the entire career spectrum, from the foundational level suitable for those just starting their careers or even pre-career, to advanced skills for seasoned professionals.”

February 2024

The growth in new IT positions throughout 2023 remained stagnant, with an addition of just 700 jobs, highlighting ongoing economic worries and a shift towards advanced technological skills. In contrast, 2022 experienced a substantial increase of 267,000 jobs, which observers link to extensive layoffs and cost-cutting strategies within the tech sector.

As reported by Janco Associates, even with a gain of approximately 21,300 jobs during the last quarter of 2023, the total net increase for the year tallied to merely 700 jobs.

“Our evaluations suggest a bleak scenario for the IT job market and opportunities for IT professionals,” remarked M. Victor Janulaitis, CEO of Janco, in a public release. “Over the past year, the telecommunications sector saw a reduction of 26,400 jobs, content providers a decrease of 9,300 jobs, and other information services a drop of 10,300 jobs. On the upside, computer system design companies added 32,300 jobs and hosting services 14,000 jobs.”

January 2024

Robert Half predicts a strong job market as we enter 2024. Their latest survey reveals that over half of the companies in the U.S. are set to expand their workforce in the initial six months of the year. This trend is seen across various sectors with 57% of companies planning to create new permanent roles, 39% aiming to fill existing vacancies, and 67% looking to employ contract workers as part of their recruitment strategy.

In the technology sector particularly, 69% out of more than 1,850 surveyed hiring managers intend to introduce new permanent positions. Despite this positive outlook, hiring challenges continue. Robert Half highlights that 90% of managers face difficulties in sourcing skilled candidates, and 58% acknowledge that recruiting times have extended compared to the previous year.

December 2023

Cloud expertise and security knowledge are essential for developing modern networks, and these competencies are highly rewarded, as reported by Skillsoft in their yearly review of the most lucrative IT certifications. The highest-earning certification according to their list is the Google Cloud-Professional Cloud Architect, boasting an average yearly income of $200,960.

Along with multiple cloud certifications, the Skillsoft top 20 list includes five certifications related to security, networking, and systems architecture:

November 2023

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