Network Engineer Salary.
Across 83 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
Skills that increase Network Engineer pay
The skills below command measurable salary premiums for Network Engineers based on job posting data. Learning the top skill here could add $14,280 to your annual compensation.
≈ +$14,280 per year
≈ +$13,260 per year
≈ +$12,240 per year
≈ +$11,220 per year
≈ +$11,220 per year
≈ +$10,200 per year
≈ +$10,200 per year
≈ +$9,180 per year
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.