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Market IntelligenceStable demand

Network Administrator Market Demand in United Kingdom

Hiring outlook, remote working rates, and which companies are actively recruiting.

Hiring outlook
Stable

Network Administrator hiring in the UK has held broadly steady, anchored by the UK's scale-up and fintech sector expanding platform teams in London and the regions rather than any single surge, with most activity concentrated in London, Manchester, and Edinburgh. BT Group and Virgin Media O2 are among the more consistent UK hirers, and post-Brexit visa sponsorship routes have made it easier for UK employers to hire senior SD-WAN configuration and management talent from overseas when the domestic pipeline of experienced practitioners runs short.

Remote / hybrid
45%

Share of United Kingdom Network Administrator roles advertising remote or hybrid working.

Pay trend
Building history

We will publish a year-on-year pay change for Network Administrator in United Kingdom once a comparable annual benchmark is available.

What's driving Network Administrator demand in United Kingdom

Strongest in: Public sector cloud migration programmes, led by employers such as BT Group and Virgin Media O2

Network Administrator hiring in the UK has held broadly steady, anchored by the UK's scale-up and fintech sector expanding platform teams in London and the regions rather than any single surge, with most activity concentrated in London, Manchester, and Edinburgh. BT Group and Virgin Media O2 are among the more consistent UK hirers, and post-Brexit visa sponsorship routes have made it easier for UK employers to hire senior SD-WAN configuration and management talent from overseas when the domestic pipeline of experienced practitioners runs short.

Who companies hire: IT Support Specialists with networking knowledge, help desk engineers who have pursued CCNA certification, and junior network engineers transition into Network Administrator roles.

Skills commanding the biggest premium right now

Salary premium over the United Kingdom median for Network Administrators who list these skills.

Cisco networking (CCNA/CCNP)+13%
SD-WAN configuration and management+16%
Firewall administration (Fortinet or Palo Alto)+15%
Network monitoring tools+9%
Cloud networking (Azure or AWS)+14%

Top employers hiring in United Kingdom

Companies with consistent or active Network Administrator hiring in United Kingdom.

BT GroupVirgin Media O2ComputacenterCapitaDXC Technology UKNHS DigitalFujitsu UKBAE Systems

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Network Administrator demand questions for United Kingdom

1

Is Network Administrator in demand in Ireland in 2026?

High and consistent demand. Network Administrator is a stable, high-volume role in the Irish IT market. The adoption of SD-WAN, cloud networking, and zero-trust network architecture is increasing the technical complexity and compensation of the role. While automation is changing some routine tasks, it is also raising the value of administrators who can manage complex, hybrid environments.

2

What is the difference between a Network Administrator and a Network Engineer in Ireland?

The titles are often used interchangeably in Irish job postings, but in larger organisations a Network Administrator typically focuses on day-to-day operations, monitoring, and maintenance of existing network infrastructure. A Network Engineer has a stronger emphasis on designing, deploying, and upgrading network infrastructure. Both roles require strong Cisco knowledge; the Network Engineer role typically commands a 10 to 20 percent salary premium.

3

Is networking a good career in Ireland in 2026?

Yes, particularly for those who develop cloud networking and security skills alongside traditional network administration. Networking provides a stable career foundation with clear progression into architecture, security, or cloud infrastructure roles. Ireland's data centre industry, financial services sector, and technology multinationals all sustain strong long-term demand for network professionals.

4

What is the career progression from Network Administrator in Ireland?

The typical progression is from Junior Network Administrator (years 0 to 2) to Network Administrator (years 2 to 5), then Senior Network Administrator (years 5 to 8). From senior level, common transitions include Network Architect, Cloud Network Engineer, Network Security Engineer, or IT Infrastructure Manager. CCNP certification and cloud networking certifications (AZ-700 or AWS Advanced Networking) are the key qualifications that unlock the higher salary bands.

Network Administrator salary in United Kingdom
Full benchmark, bands, and city comparison
Take-home pay calculator
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Career path guide
Salary at each level and how to progress as a Network Administrator