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Entry Level Cisco Network Engineer Jobs in Rochester, MN

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Entry Level Cisco Network Engineer information

See Rochester, MN salary details

$25

$54

$81

How much do entry level cisco network engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 5, 2026, the average hourly pay for entry level cisco network engineer in Rochester, MN is $54.29, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $44.71 and $62.31 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Entry Level Cisco Network Engineer vs Network Support Technician?

AspectEntry Level Cisco Network EngineerNetwork Support Technician
CertificationsCCNA, CompTIA Network+CompTIA A+, Network+
Work EnvironmentNetwork design, configuration, troubleshooting in Cisco environmentsHardware setup, basic troubleshooting, user support
ResponsibilitiesConfigure Cisco routers/switches, assist in network planningMaintain hardware, resolve user issues, perform routine checks

While both roles involve network support, Entry Level Cisco Network Engineers focus on configuring Cisco devices and network design, whereas Network Support Technicians handle hardware maintenance and user support. The former typically requires Cisco certifications like CCNA, and the role is more involved in network architecture, making it suitable for those aiming to specialize in Cisco networking.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an entry level Cisco network engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Cisco Network Engineer, you need a solid understanding of networking fundamentals, TCP/IP protocols, and a relevant certification such as Cisco's CCNA. Familiarity with Cisco routers, switches, and network management tools is typically required. Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and effective communication help you troubleshoot issues and collaborate with team members. These skills and qualities are crucial for ensuring reliable network performance and supporting organizational IT needs.

What does an entry level Cisco network engineer do?

An Entry Level Cisco Network Engineer is responsible for assisting in the design, implementation, and maintenance of network infrastructures using Cisco technologies. Their tasks often include configuring routers and switches, monitoring network performance, troubleshooting connectivity issues, and supporting senior engineers with larger projects. They work to ensure that network systems are efficient, secure, and meet the needs of the organization. Entry level engineers typically have a basic understanding of networking protocols and may hold certifications like Cisco's CCNA.

What typical challenges do entry level Cisco network engineers face when transitioning from classroom learning to real-world network environments?

Entry Level Cisco Network Engineers often find that real-world networks are more complex and less predictable than lab scenarios. Common challenges include troubleshooting unexpected network issues, adapting to different hardware models, and managing time-sensitive tasks during outages or upgrades. Additionally, new engineers must quickly learn to document changes accurately and communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical team members. Overcoming these challenges requires continuous learning, asking for guidance from experienced colleagues, and being proactive in hands-on troubleshooting.
What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Cisco Network Engineer jobs in Rochester, MN? For Entry Level Cisco Network Engineer jobs in Rochester, MN, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities near Rochester, MN are hiring for Entry Level Cisco Network Engineer jobs? Cities near Rochester, MN with the most Entry Level Cisco Network Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Entry Level Cisco Network Engineer job openings in Rochester, MN as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 67% Full Time, and 33% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $112,913 per year, or $54.3 per hour.

$125K/yr

Other

Posted 20 days ago


Job description

WHAT IS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY?
A description of the business units can be found at: https://www.jobs.irs.gov/about/who/business-divisions
  • Position(s) are to be filled in following area(s):
    • CISCO WIRELESS - Information Technology - Infrastructure Tech Ops, Network Services

REVIEW THE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION BELOW FOR FURTHER DETAILSQualifications:

Federal experience is not required. Experience may have been gained in the public sector, private sector or through Volunteer Service. One year of experience refers to full-time work; part-timework is considered on a prorated basis. To ensure full credit for your work experience, please indicate dates of employment by month/day/year, and indicate number of hours worked per week, on your resume.
You must meet the following requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To qualify for this position, you must meet the qualification requirements outlined below:
Minimum requirements for Grade 12 and UP (GS or Equivalent) Applicants must have Information Technology related experience demonstrating each of the following nine competencies: 1) Attention to Detail, 2) Customer Service, 3) Decision Making, 4) Information Management, 5) Interpersonal Skills, 6) Oral Communication, 7) Problem Solving, 8) Teamwork and 9) Technical Competence.

Specialized Experience GS-14 Level: In addition to meeting basic requirements, to be eligible for this position at this grade level, you must have one (1) year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service, specialized experience includes:
  • Leading or coordinating IT projects, application-related efforts, operational initiatives, or system-related activities that affect multiple users, teams, programs, or business processes. Applying advanced IT principles, concepts, methods, and practices to evaluate requirements
  • Resolve technical issues; guide system, application, or code testing and configuration decisions; and ensure technical documentation and federal cybersecurity, privacy, or regulatory requirements are addressed.
  • Engaging customers, stakeholders, users, product or business owners, and technical teams to define business or technical requirements, communicate technical impacts, and guide delivery of secure, reliable, scalable IT solutions.
  • Evaluating system, service, or application performance, availability, reliability, security controls, usability, and operational effectiveness; identifying risks, issues, defects, or gaps; and leading corrective actions or improvement efforts.
  • Analyzing competing technical approaches and providing authoritative recommendations to management, stakeholders, or IT specialists on the selection, design, configuration, implementation, or improvement of IT solutions with organizational impact.
  • Engineering, integrating, and troubleshooting enterprise wireless infrastructure, including Cisco Wireless LAN Controllers (WLC), Catalyst Center, Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE), access points, authentication services, network access control (NAC), and integration with enterprise routing, switching, firewalls, and security architectures.
  • Applying advanced enterprise networking principles, including Layer 2/Layer 3 switching, routing protocols, TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, QoS, multicast, network segmentation, Zero Trust architecture, cloud networking, and Cisco wireless technologies to design, implement, secure, and maintain enterprise wireless solutions supporting mission-critical business operations.
  • Planning, conducting, and interpreting wireless RF site surveys and predictive wireless designs using industry-standard tools to optimize wireless coverage, capacity, performance, and spectrum utilization for office, campus, warehouse, and high-density operational environments.
  • Diagnosing and resolving wireless and RF issues, including co-channel interference (CCI), spectrum congestion, roaming optimization, authentication failures, RF coverage gaps, client connectivity issues, and wireless performance degradation across enterprise environments.
  • Designing, engineering, implementing, and managing large-scale enterprise wireless network architecture utilizing Cisco wireless technologies to deliver secure, resilient, and highly available network services across enterprise environments.
  • Serving as a subject matter expert for enterprise wireless infrastructure by developing architecture standards, establishing best practices, evaluating emerging technologies, and providing strategic recommendations on enterprise networking initiatives and modernization.


AND
You must also meet the following requirement(s):

  • PERFORMANCE RATING: Current federal employees must have at least a fully successful or equivalent performance rating to receive consideration.
  • TIME AFTER COMPETITIVE APPOINTMENT (TACA): By the closing date (or if this is an open continuous announcement, by the cut-off date) specified in this job announcement, current civilian employees must have completed at least 90 days of federal civilian service since their latest non-temporary appointment from a competitive referral certificate, known as time after competitive appointment. For this requirement, a competitive appointment is one where you applied to and were appointed from an announcement open to "All US Citizens"
  • TIME IN GRADE (TIG): Federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements. For positions above the GS-05,applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year (52 weeks) at the next lower grade level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the grade you are applying for. For positions at the GS-05, you cannot advance to the GS-05 if you have held a GS-02 in the past 52 weeks. There is no TIG restriction for GS-02, 03, or 04 positions.
  • MINIMUM AGE REQUIREMENT: Minimum age for federal employment is 18 years old, or at least 16 years old and have:
    • Graduated from high school or been awarded a certificate equivalent to graduating from high school; or
    • Completed a formal vocational training program; or
    • Received a statement from school authorities agreeing with your preference for employment rather than continuing your education.


For more information on qualifications please refer to OPM's Qualifications Standards.

Education:A college or university degree generally must be from an accredited (or pre-accredited) college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools which meet these criteria, please refer to Department of Education Accreditation page.
FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. Click here (Section 3, Explanation of Terms) or here for Foreign Education Credentialing instructions.
We recommend choosing an evaluator from a member organization of one of the following national associations of credential evaluation services: National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or Association of International Credentials Evaluators (AICE).Employment Type: OTHER