Network Engineer Salary Guide 2026
5G infrastructure and cloud networking sustaining steady demand.
National Median: $112,000
Range: $85K – $170K
3-Year Growth Trend: +4% · Source: BLS 2026; Robert Half
Avg Total Comp
$130,000
Experience Level
CCNP/CCIE certifications add $15-20k premium nationally.
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Transition Opportunity
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Metro Area Breakdown
20 Markets| Metro Area | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara CA | $151,200 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley CA | $148,960 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City NY-NJ-PA | $138,880 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton MA-NH | $136,640 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue WA | $134,400 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria DC-VA-MD-WV | $134,400 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim CA | $134,400 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad CA | $128,800 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin IL-IN-WI | $123,200 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood CO | $120,960 |
| Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown TX | $117,600 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington TX | $117,600 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta GA | $115,360 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach FL | $114,240 |
| Raleigh-Durham-Cary NC | $112,000 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington MN-WI | $109,760 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia NC-SC | $109,760 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler AZ | $108,640 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn MI | $107,520 |
| Salt Lake City UT | $106,400 |
"Calculated" benchmarks are derived from the national median using verified geographic cost-of-living multipliers. "Verified" entries are sourced directly from BLS 2026; Robert Half.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median salary for a Network Engineer in 2026?
The national median salary for a Network Engineer in 2026 is $112,000. Base salaries range from $85K to $170K depending on experience level and location.
Which city pays Network Engineers the most?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara CA offers the highest median salary for Network Engineers at $151,200. San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley CA is a close second at $148,960.
How fast are Network Engineer salaries growing?
Network Engineer salaries have grown at 4% over the past three years, making it a stable-growth role. 5G infrastructure and cloud networking sustaining steady demand.
What is the salary range for an entry-level Network Engineer?
Entry-level Network Engineer salaries start around $85K annually at the national level. Tier 1 cities like San Francisco and New York start 20–35% higher. Specialization in AI and cloud-adjacent skills accelerates entry compensation.
What total compensation should a Network Engineer expect?
Subscribe to the Vetta newsletter to access average total compensation data including equity and bonus breakdowns for Network Engineer roles across all 20 metro areas.