Network Engineer Salary.
Across 30 U.S. cities.
$102,000
national median salary
$78,000 to $135,000. Last updated April 2026.
Highest Paying
$140,000
San Francisco, CA
Best Purchasing Power
$107,000
Pittsburgh, PA
Lowest Paying
$79,000
Jackson, MS
Salary data sourced from SEC filings, H-1B Labor Condition Applications (DOL), Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, and aggregated job postings across 50+ platforms. Ranges reflect 25th to 75th percentile for full-time positions. Cost-of-living adjustments use Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities (2025 index). Last updated April 2026.
The average Network Engineer salary in the United States is $102,000 in 2026, with the full range spanning $78,000 at the 25th percentile to $135,000 at the 75th. San Francisco pays the most at $140,000, while Pittsburgh offers the best purchasing power after cost-of-living adjustments. CCIE certification remains the single largest salary differentiator, adding 20 to 30% to base pay.
Network Engineer salary by city
What you should know
CCIE certification remains the single largest salary differentiator, adding 20 to 30% to base pay. Engineers managing SD-WAN rollouts, hybrid cloud networking, or large-scale data center fabrics command premium rates. Telecom and financial services sectors consistently offer the highest compensation for network specialists.
Help desk and NOC technicians start at $50,000 to $65,000, advancing to network engineer at $78,000 to $135,000 in three to five years. Senior network architects earn $140,000 to $180,000, and director of network engineering roles reach $185,000 to $240,000.
Bonuses of 8 to 15% are standard, with on-call stipends adding $5,000 to $12,000 annually. Employers frequently cover CCIE lab fees and ongoing Cisco or Juniper certification renewals as part of retention packages.