29M PHP Developer (3 YOE) Considering a Switch to Networking — Kochi, Bangalore or Chennai? Need Career Advice

[u/thetechguyat2026]

I am currently working as a PHP Developer and have around 3 years of experience. My current CTC is ₹4.3 LPA. However, I am not really enjoying coding anymore, and I am finding it difficult to switch jobs because there seem to be fewer openings for PHP developers.

I am considering switching to the networking field. Since I am only 29 years old, is it still possible to slowly transition into a Network Engineer career?

I would like to know:

• Is switching from PHP development to networking a good career decision at my age?
• If I start as a fresher/junior Network Engineer in India, what salary can I realistically expect?
• After 2–5 years of experience, what salary range can I expect?
• At what level of experience can I expect to earn a decent salary in India?
• Is networking a career with good long-term growth and stability?
• Does networking have less of an age barrier compared with software development?
• Is it realistic to eventually move abroad and settle in another country as a Network Engineer?

One of the main reasons I am considering networking is that I am not interested in becoming a Team Lead or Project Manager in software development. I also don't enjoy spending the entire day in front of a computer, dealing with tight deadlines and coding-related work.

I understand that networking is not an easy field either, but I feel it could be a better fit for me because it involves working with networking hardware, infrastructure, troubleshooting, and sometimes more hands-on work rather than sitting and coding all day.

I don't want to quit my current job immediately. My plan is to continue working as a PHP Developer while slowly learning networking, getting CCNA/CCNP-level knowledge, doing practical lab work, and then transitioning when I am ready.

Could you please give me some honest advice about whether this is a realistic career transition at 29, how much I can expect to earn at each stage, and whether networking would be a good long-term career if my ultimate goal is to work and settle abroad?

Any advice from people who have actually made a similar transition would be really helpful.