Network and Communications Analyst : Training, Salary, & Career Information
Career Information
Network and Communications Analyst: Career, Salary and Education Information
Vital Information Technology (IT) professionals, network and communications analysts have become essential to modern life. IT is responsible for much of the data and communication we now take for granted: Internet, email, websites, computer software and hardware, information databases, programming languages, and telecommunications.
Network and communications analysts are responsible for maintaining all the bits and bytes, or data, that comprise computer networks. This involves diverse tasks, such as designing, building, and testing data communications systems. Duties specific to these larger projects might include evaluating and making suggestions for improvement about any of the following: networks, network traffic, security, maintenance, software and hardware.
Network and communications analyst careers are available for network architects, telecommunications specialists, website administrators, and website developers. Some network and communications analysts are responsible for supervising computer programmers.
A Day in the Life of a Network and Communications Analyst
While many network and communications analysts work standard 40-hour weeks, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) notes that 16-percent worked more than 50 hours a week in 2008. Some were also required to be "on call" outside of business hours to deal with issues, such as system failures. The upside of odd hours and expert knowledge can be found in a network and communications analyst salary: Solid from the start, it can lead you in to one of the highest income tax brackets within a few years.
Another upside: technological advances have allowed many network and communications analysts to work from home or another remote location. So, being "on call" doesn't have to mean commuting to work several times a day.
Employers and employees throughout organizations rely upon the knowledge of network and communications analysts. When working at the office, these IT professionals are often buzzing about, reporting to management, collaborating with computer programmers and assisting employees, who need full-time access to the organizational network.
Network and Communications Analyst Schools and Training
Network and communications analyst training should include at least a bachelor's degree, although some employers require a master's degree. Undergraduate and graduate network and communications analyst degrees can be earned in computer science, information science, information technology, or management information systems (MIS).
Many employers view professional certifications as the industry standard. Relevant certifications include Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer and CCVP Cisco Certification. Network and communications analyst schools, computer associations, and product vendors also frequently offer certifications.
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Employment & Outlook
Network and communications analysts work for computer systems design firms and related businesses. They are hired throughout the public and private sectors, in schools, telecommunication companies, financial firms, insurance providers, and government agencies. Any organization that has large-scale computer networks is likely to hire network and communications analysts.
Jobs in the field have been largely resistant to the recession, and the BLS reports big growth in network and communications analyst careers. An anticipated 53-percent increase in network and communications analyst jobs through 2018 should produce excellent employment prospects. Such growth would add 155,800 additional jobs to the field for a projected 447,800 employees in 2018. The BLS reports that approximately 7-percent of network and communications analysts are self-employed.
Network and Communications Analyst Salary Information
Median salaries for network and communications analysts were $73,250 in 2009, reports the BLS. Median entry-level salaries ranged from $42,880 to $55,900. The top 10-percent in the field earned a median $116,120. The states with the highest concentration of network and communications analyst jobs included Virginia, District of Columbia, Washington, and Maryland.
Stay ahead of the curve by designing the networks system. Explore a network and communications analyst degree to find out if an IT career is right for you.
