How To Become A NOC Technician: What It Is and Career Path

What is a noc technician and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted Expert

Dr. Bobby Roohparvar Ph.D.

A network operations center technician or NOC (pronounced as knock) is tasked with overseeing complex network components. As NOC, you will be responsible for network management and perform troubleshoot as needed. You will also maintain a network, servers, and telecom equipment. In other words, you are in charge of ensuring that everything technological-related works properly.

A NOC Technician will need to monitor the data center's infrastructure and work on computer networks from a centralized location. When your technology system encounters a snag, the NOC technician needs to troubleshoot and sort out issues. They need to get things working again. Tasks must be done on time and under stressful conditions. You will need to provide excellent customer service by ensuring all issues are resolved promptly.

As a NOC technician, you are expected to update your knowledge with new and current support solutions continuously. You will comply with your organization's guidelines, processes, and policies. You need to routinely inspect systems and make use of TCP/IP protocols to assess problems. You will need a bachelor's in computer science or at least an associate degree in information technology or related study. As a NOC Technician, you can expect to make an average salary of $46,000 per year.

What general advice would you give to a NOC Technician?

Dr. Bobby Roohparvar Ph.D.

Professor of Computer Science and Computer Engineering, California State University - East Bay

*The anxiety of AI is likely to change the landscape of computer networking, is a real threat but in my opinion, it won't eliminate the need for human network engineers. The focus will likely shift towards more strategic tasks, complex problem-solving, and leveraging AI tools to improve network efficiency and security.*

*Here again, I will explain in more detail about the expectation and future of Comp. Network Eng.*

* 1. AI Augments, Not Replaces: While AI can automate some network tasks, like data analysis and basic troubleshooting, it won't replace the need for human network engineers. It will increase the productivity for sure; Complex problem-solving, strategic decision-making, and human judgment are still crucial in network management. AI will likely become a valuable tool that assists network engineers in their tasks, making them more efficient.*

*2. Growing Demand: Our reliance on technology and data is constantly increasing. Businesses and organizations need secure, reliable networks to function. This necessitates a skilled workforce to design, implement, maintain, and secure these networks. The demand for qualified network engineers is expected to grow in the coming years.*

*In our technology horizon, I can see the quantum internet coming and I can see the demand for network engineering accelerate.*

*3. Diverse Skillset: A strong foundation in computer networking equips you with a versatile skillset. You'll understand network protocols, security concepts, and troubleshooting methodologies. These skills are valuable across the IT field and can be applied to areas like cloud computing, data center operations, or even cybersecurity. Data Centers for AI are becoming a huge opportunity for Comp Network Eng.*

ScoreNOC TechnicianUS Average

Salary

3.6

Avg. Salary $45,884

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level

5.7

Growth Rate 5%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity

3.8

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.31%

Asian 8.68%

Black or African American 9.23%

Hispanic or Latino 12.91%

Unknown 5.11%

White 63.75%

Gender

female 11.49%

male 88.51%

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

Key steps to become a noc technician

Explore noc technician education requirements

Most common noc technician degrees

Bachelor's

50.0 %

Associate

34.9 %

High School Diploma

5.2 %

Start to develop specific noc technician skills

Skills	Percentages
Customer Service	9.92%
Troubleshoot	8.67%
Network Operations	5.34%
Switches	4.90%
Technical Support	3.91%

Complete relevant noc technician training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New noc technicians 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 noc technician based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real noc technician resumes.

Gain additional noc technician certifications

Noc technician 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 noc technician certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for noc technicians include Network 5 Certification and CCNA Routing and Switching Certification (CCNA RS).

More About Certifications

Research noc technician duties and responsibilities

Manage troubleshooting for user side computer and Novell problems.
Manage windows server network configuration, disks and storage access requests.
Manage and administer VPNs using PPTP and GRE tunneling with TACLANE and FASTLANE encryption.
Install, setup, configure, manage and maintain desktop, laptop, and server equipment for multiple clients.

Prepare your noc technician resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your noc technician 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 noc technician resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose From 10+ Customizable NOC Technician Resume templates

Build a professional NOC Technician 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 NOC Technician resume.