IT Network Professionals

IT network professionals are the backbone of modern communication, ensuring seamless connectivity and security across systems and devices. In an increasingly digital world, their expertise is crucial for businesses to thrive, making this role not only vital in the UK but also globally.

IT Network Professionals

65

Digital & Technology

AI IMPACT
AI CAN DO65%moving to95%
THE DOOR, NOWC
THE DOOR, 20 YRSE
STARTING PAY£28,000 - £35,000
NO MOATNo physical, legal or personal barrier protects this work from software.
This work is being absorbed by AI
AI already does much of this work and nothing structurally requires a human: no licence, no physical task, no relationship at the core. Expect fewer people in higher-judgment roles: enter as the person directing the tools, not competing with them.

Career progression path

1FIRST STEPJunior Network EngineerAs a Junior Network Engineer, you will assist in the setup and maintenance of network systems, gaining hands-on experience while learning from senior professionals.£28,000 - £35,000
2GAINING EXPERIENCENetwork EngineerIn this role, you will take on more complex network configurations and troubleshooting, ensuring the reliability and security of network systems.£45,000 - £60,000
3PEAK CAREERSenior Network ArchitectAs a Senior Network Architect, you will lead network design projects, strategise improvements, and mentor junior staff, playing a crucial role in shaping the organisation's network infrastructure.£70,000+
There is more than one way in

You do not have to go the university route to get here. There is also a vocational route that skips a degree entirely.

Careermash

Careermash: navigate your career path with real data. Explore career profiles, salary benchmarks, AI impact forecasts, and the qualifications you need to get there.


AI EXPOSURE = the share of a job's day-to-day tasks AI can already do today, from the same exposure engine used across this site (Anthropic labour market research, 2026, observed real-world AI usage by occupation). Higher means more exposed. It is a measurement of now, not a prediction. THE DOOR = how hard the job is to get into, grade A (easy) to E (extremely hard), from each career's published forecast (OpenAI, "The AI Jobs Transition Framework", Richmond 2026, CC BY 4.0). A card marked MOAT NOT YET CLASSIFIED has a real exposure score but no entry yet in our moat register, so we make no claim about what structurally protects it. Scorecard grades and verdicts are Careermash editorial judgment: we show forecasts as forecasts and own our conclusions. Salary and pathway figures are each career's own published profile. Careermash is a service provided by What School Ltd.

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