How To Become A Network Consultant: What It Is and Career Path

What is a network consultant and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted Expert

Laura Kier

Most businesses rely on their computer networks in order to do their work, but setting up secure networks is a difficult job. That is where a network consultant steps in. They help businesses install, maintain, and troubleshoot secure networks.

To the average person, LAN, MAN, WLAN, and PAN just look like a rhyming game gone wrong. But to a network consultant, these are just some of the many networks that they have to be ready to work with. Most network consultants need a degree related to computer science, extensive experience in the field, and excellent communication skills in order to work with clients.

For many network consultants, independence is one of the best parts of the job. While some work for networking services companies, many are independent contractors that get to set their own schedule. The job also involves traveling to work with networks in a company's office and some extra hours if necessary.

What general advice would you give to a Network Consultant?

Laura Kier

Network Design and Administration Instructor

Students graduating from the Computer Network Design and Administration program will enter the job market with a solid foundation in networking technologies. Above that they should also be able to develop and demonstrate excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Networking has a strong emphasis on teamwork and being able to communicate well with customers, co-workers and teammates is vital. Attaining certifications in Cisco, Linux, Windows, and security will also help the student stand out within the industry (classes in the program help to learn the knowledge needed to attain certifications). Students should participate in any local or online communities and groups to enhance skills and knowledge and find networking opportunities.

ScoreNetwork ConsultantUS Average

Salary

7.0

Avg. Salary $89,303

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level

5.7

Growth Rate 5%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity

3.7

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.31%

Asian 11.27%

Black or African American 8.98%

Hispanic or Latino 12.66%

Unknown 5.09%

White 61.69%

Gender

female 12.96%

male 87.04%

Age - 42

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 42

Stress Level

5.7

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity Level

6.7

Complexity Level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance

7.1

Work Life balance is good

6.4 - fair

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Key steps to become a network consultant

Explore network consultant education requirements

Most common network consultant degrees

Bachelor's

60.3 %

Associate

21.0 %

Master's

11.6 %

Start to develop specific network consultant skills

Skills	Percentages
Appeals	10.13%
Firewall	5.49%
Windows Server	5.42%
Switches	4.47%
Network Infrastructure	4.38%

Complete relevant network consultant training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New network consultants learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a network consultant based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real network consultant resumes.

Gain additional network consultant certifications

Network consultant certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific network consultant certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for network consultants include Network 5 Certification and Cisco Certified Network Associate Security (CCNA).

More About Certifications

Research network consultant duties and responsibilities

Support and manage Linux base firewalls for client.
Manage FTP servers, AD/DNS, wireless access points and load balancers.
Manage and configure VoIP devices which include gateway and gatekeeper.
Lead architecture and design sessions with customers; initiate technical meetings with customer engineers to further engage and identify additional opportunities.

Prepare your network consultant resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your network consultant resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a network consultant resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose From 10+ Customizable Network Consultant Resume templates

Build a professional Network Consultant resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Network Consultant resume.

Apply for network consultant jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a network consultant job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How do network consultants rate their job?

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Network Consultant reviews

A zippia user wrote a review on Feb 2020

Pros

I love the fact that I have self taught myself by trouble shooting issues for fifteen years while working in corrections as the Video court officer with no prior experince or degree

Cons

I dislike the fact that I don't get paid as a Video technician although I'm called to fix issues

A zippia user wrote a review on Nov 2019