Network engineer salary
BLS occupation: Computer Network Architects · also called network architect · Computers and math · data for May 2025
Median salary $134,050 a year, US
Median hourly pay $64.45 an hour
Middle half earn $104,620–$168,200 25th to 75th percentile
Network engineers employed 179,740 +7.7% projected by 2035
How much does a network engineer make?
- The median network engineer salary in the US is $134,050 a year ($64.45 an hour): half of the 179,740 network engineers BLS counts earn more and half earn less. The average (mean) is $139,580.
- The middle half earn between $104,620 and $168,200. The lowest-paid 10% earn less than $79,900 and the top 10% more than $202,680.
- That is 2.6 times the median for all US workers ($50,980).
- Washington pays network engineers the most (median $168,070), followed by New Jersey ($162,350) and Maryland ($159,460). Mississippi pays the least ($90,990).
- After adjusting for prices, the pay goes furthest in South Dakota, where the median is worth $173,154 in typical US prices, then Washington and Maryland. Washington's higher pay is offset by its prices (107.0 vs a US average of 100).
- In 239 of the 241 metro areas with data, the median network engineer salary is enough to rent a typical home without spending more than 30% of income on rent.
- BLS projects the number of network engineers to grow 7.7% from 2025 to 2035 (all jobs: 3.5%), with about 9,600 openings a year. The typical entry education is a bachelor's degree.
official From BLS's survey of employers: what network engineers are actually paid, not job ads or self-reports. Adjusted figures are derived. How we calculate.
How does your pay compare?
Network engineer salary range
Half of network engineers earn between $104,620 and $168,200 a year
Yearly pay at each point of the range, US, May 2025. For comparison, the median for all US jobs is $50,980.
Lowest 10% earn under Yearly pay: $79,900
Lowest 25% earn under Yearly pay: $104,620
Median Yearly pay: $134,050
Top 25% earn over Yearly pay: $168,200
Top 10% earn over Yearly pay: $202,680
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Show the numbers
| Yearly pay | |
|---|---|
| Lowest 10% earn under | $79,900 |
| Lowest 25% earn under | $104,620 |
| Median | $134,050 |
| Top 25% earn over | $168,200 |
| Top 10% earn over | $202,680 |
Network engineer salary by state
Washington pays network engineers the most; Mississippi the least
Median yearly pay by state compared with the US median ($134,050), May 2025. Blue = higher pay.
- 20%+ below US
- 10–20% below
- 3–10% below
- Within 3%
- 3–10% above
- 10–20% above
- 20%+ above US
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
Show the numbers
| State | Median pay |
|---|---|
| Washington | $168,070 median |
| New Jersey | $162,350 median |
| Maryland | $159,460 median |
| California | $158,870 median |
| Massachusetts | $155,060 median |
| South Dakota | $153,390 median |
| Delaware | $148,390 median |
| Connecticut | $143,890 median |
| Virginia | $141,340 median |
| New York | $140,390 median |
| Colorado | $139,230 median |
| Nevada | $138,060 median |
| District of Columbia | $137,670 median |
| Oregon | $135,660 median |
| South Carolina | $134,990 median |
| Georgia | $133,890 median |
| Texas | $133,310 median |
| Minnesota | $133,270 median |
| Florida | $132,800 median |
| Illinois | $132,790 median |
| Pennsylvania | $131,840 median |
| Wisconsin | $131,720 median |
| Rhode Island | $131,320 median |
| Ohio | $131,070 median |
| Arizona | $130,890 median |
| Alabama | $130,810 median |
| North Carolina | $127,320 median |
| New Hampshire | $125,420 median |
| Indiana | $124,190 median |
| Tennessee | $123,860 median |
| West Virginia | $122,520 median |
| Utah | $121,000 median |
| Alaska | $119,720 median |
| Nebraska | $116,420 median |
| Michigan | $112,040 median |
| Vermont | $110,930 median |
| Arkansas | $110,400 median |
| Oklahoma | $109,450 median |
| New Mexico | $109,080 median |
| North Dakota | $108,990 median |
| Maine | $108,570 median |
| Hawaii | $108,000 median |
| Idaho | $107,620 median |
| Louisiana | $106,620 median |
| Montana | $104,300 median |
| Kentucky | $103,740 median |
| Missouri | $103,130 median |
| Iowa | $103,050 median |
| Kansas | $100,610 median |
| Wyoming | $100,520 median |
| Mississippi | $90,990 median |
Where network engineer pay goes furthest
A salary buys more where prices are low. We divide each state's median by its price level from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, so every figure is in typical US prices. derived
Network engineers' pay goes furthest in South Dakota once prices are counted
Median pay ÷ the state's price level (BEA, 2024; US = 100), shown in typical US prices. Top 10 states.
US median
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025; BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Our calculation.
Show the numbers
| Worth, in US prices | |
|---|---|
| South Dakota | $173,154 |
| Washington | $157,056 |
| Maryland | $151,926 |
| New Jersey | $149,212 |
| Delaware | $148,675 |
| Alabama | $147,270 |
| Massachusetts | $146,619 |
| South Carolina | $143,991 |
| California | $143,488 |
| Ohio | $141,279 |
Network engineer pay in every state
| State | Median a year | Hourly | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Employed | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $168,070 | $80.80 | $93,610 | $224,910 | 4,730 | $157,056 |
| New Jersey | $162,350 | $78.05 | $101,730 | $213,630 | 5,660 | $149,212 |
| Maryland | $159,460 | $76.66 | $98,900 | $213,140 | 5,860 | $151,926 |
| California | $158,870 | $76.38 | $97,070 | $224,930 | 14,870 | $143,488 |
| Massachusetts | $155,060 | $74.55 | $98,730 | $211,580 | 6,270 | $146,619 |
| South Dakota | $153,390 | $73.75 | $96,670 | $199,420 | 420 | $173,154 |
| Delaware | $148,390 | $71.34 | $85,270 | $199,690 | 760 | $148,675 |
| Connecticut | $143,890 | $69.18 | $98,180 | $197,040 | 1,570 | $138,877 |
| Virginia | $141,340 | $67.95 | $85,050 | $210,180 | 9,380 | $139,797 |
| New York | $140,390 | $67.50 | $83,260 | $214,590 | 9,800 | $130,086 |
| Colorado | $139,230 | $66.94 | $94,920 | $206,600 | 16,380 | $135,107 |
| Nevada | $138,060 | $66.38 | $83,830 | $164,880 | 1,010 | $138,089 |
| District of Columbia | $137,670 | $66.19 | $102,450 | $205,420 | 1,490 | $125,267 |
| Oregon | $135,660 | $65.22 | $90,360 | $173,880 | 1,540 | $131,249 |
| South Carolina | $134,990 | $64.90 | $82,060 | $185,160 | 1,950 | $143,991 |
| Georgia | $133,890 | $64.37 | $51,710 | $179,040 | 7,690 | $139,044 |
| Texas | $133,310 | $64.09 | $70,110 | $191,800 | 13,650 | $137,352 |
| Minnesota | $133,270 | $64.07 | $81,500 | $171,700 | 2,040 | $135,133 |
| Florida | $132,800 | $63.85 | $81,500 | $184,680 | 9,370 | $128,416 |
| Illinois | $132,790 | $63.84 | $81,630 | $201,190 | 7,810 | $132,846 |
| Pennsylvania | $131,840 | $63.38 | $79,240 | $188,120 | 6,080 | $135,121 |
| Wisconsin | $131,720 | $63.33 | $87,280 | $172,690 | 2,170 | $139,986 |
| Rhode Island | $131,320 | $63.13 | $58,760 | $175,800 | 460 | $128,393 |
| Ohio | $131,070 | $63.01 | $84,340 | $180,640 | 5,150 | $141,279 |
| Arizona | $130,890 | $62.93 | $81,530 | $175,820 | 3,990 | $130,010 |
| Alabama | $130,810 | $62.89 | $76,960 | $173,400 | 4,200 | $147,270 |
| North Carolina | $127,320 | $61.21 | $79,120 | $173,410 | 8,350 | $134,979 |
| New Hampshire | $125,420 | $60.30 | $76,080 | $209,530 | 560 | $120,405 |
| Indiana | $124,190 | $59.71 | $76,270 | $174,580 | 2,030 | $133,067 |
| Tennessee | $123,860 | $59.55 | $82,340 | $172,980 | 4,330 | $134,821 |
| West Virginia | $122,520 | $58.90 | $79,440 | $146,440 | 360 | $136,898 |
| Utah | $121,000 | $58.17 | $75,640 | $182,790 | 1,330 | $122,390 |
| Alaska | $119,720 | $57.56 | $88,690 | $173,070 | 120 | $116,961 |
| Nebraska | $116,420 | $55.97 | $77,570 | $163,200 | 1,350 | $129,208 |
| Michigan | $112,040 | $53.87 | $71,400 | $167,960 | 3,210 | $116,445 |
| Vermont | $110,930 | $53.33 | $84,970 | $155,420 | 130 | $113,242 |
| Arkansas | $110,400 | $53.08 | $80,930 | $166,780 | 910 | $126,989 |
| Oklahoma | $109,450 | $52.62 | $70,290 | $165,730 | 1,320 | $124,597 |
| New Mexico | $109,080 | $52.44 | $70,680 | $152,260 | 420 | $118,293 |
| North Dakota | $108,990 | $52.40 | $76,320 | $146,550 | 230 | $122,517 |
| Maine | $108,570 | $52.20 | $83,990 | $158,480 | 570 | $111,870 |
| Hawaii | $108,000 | $51.92 | $78,980 | $165,940 | 320 | $98,226 |
| Idaho | $107,620 | $51.74 | $70,720 | $174,510 | 720 | $112,698 |
| Louisiana | $106,620 | $51.26 | $78,930 | $162,340 | 470 | $120,875 |
| Montana | $104,300 | $50.14 | $73,970 | $162,590 | 250 | $110,201 |
| Kentucky | $103,740 | $49.88 | $62,850 | $168,350 | 1,710 | $115,063 |
| Missouri | $103,130 | $49.58 | $62,080 | $168,820 | 3,360 | $113,558 |
| Iowa | $103,050 | $49.54 | $62,850 | $160,320 | 1,170 | $117,420 |
| Kansas | $100,610 | $48.37 | $62,320 | $159,920 | 1,770 | $111,704 |
| Wyoming | $100,520 | $48.33 | $79,180 | $134,970 | 50 | $108,446 |
| Mississippi | $90,990 | $43.75 | $57,760 | $174,600 | – | $104,643 |
After cost of living = median ÷ (BEA price level ÷ 100).
Network engineer salary by city
Metro areas where BLS publishes network engineer pay: 244 of 387. Rent share = typical rent (September 2026, Zillow) × 12 ÷ the median salary; under 30% is affordable by the usual rule.
Highest-paying metro areas
- San Jose, CA $186,110
- Seattle, WA $172,650
- Rochester, MN $168,910
- Bremerton, WA $168,720
- San Francisco, CA $166,760
- Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY $165,570
- New York, NY $163,010
- Bloomington, IL $161,780
- Greenville, SC $161,170
- Boston, MA $160,650
Where the pay goes furthest
- Rochester, MN $185,981
- Bloomington, IL $172,958
- Greenville, SC $172,818
- San Jose, CA $168,543
- Bremerton, WA $159,762
- Peoria, IL $158,586
- Hartford, CT $155,451
- Seattle, WA $155,354
- Orlando, FL $154,371
- Baltimore, MD $153,454
All 244 metro areas
| Metro area | Median a year | Employed | After cost of living | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $186,110 | 2,730 | $168,543 | 25% |
| Seattle, WA | $172,650 | 3,710 | $155,354 | 16% |
| Rochester, MN | $168,910 | 90 | $185,981 | 11% |
| Bremerton, WA | $168,720 | 40 | $159,762 | 15% |
| San Francisco, CA | $166,760 | 3,350 | $144,240 | 25% |
| Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $165,570 | 220 | $151,313 | 16% |
| New York, NY | $163,010 | 10,230 | $144,817 | 26% |
| Bloomington, IL | $161,780 | 240 | $172,958 | 10% |
| Greenville, SC | $161,170 | 390 | $172,818 | 12% |
| Boston, MA | $160,650 | 5,240 | $148,385 | 22% |
| Baltimore, MD | $160,340 | 2,480 | $153,454 | 14% |
| Bridgeport, CT | $159,820 | 240 | $149,555 | 22% |
| Washington, DC | $159,820 | 9,370 | $146,780 | 18% |
| Hartford, CT | $159,720 | 690 | $155,451 | 15% |
| San Diego, CA | $157,700 | 1,490 | $140,946 | 23% |
| Orlando, FL | $156,560 | 1,730 | $154,371 | 15% |
| Boulder, CO | $156,360 | 2,000 | $148,628 | 17% |
| Las Vegas, NV | $148,710 | 750 | $148,391 | 14% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $147,510 | 3,500 | $129,889 | 24% |
| Durham, NC | $144,990 | 970 | $148,598 | 14% |
| Peoria, IL | $144,680 | 260 | $158,586 | 10% |
| Springfield, MA | $144,600 | 120 | $150,529 | 16% |
| Chicago, IL | $143,800 | 5,400 | $138,810 | 18% |
| Lexington Park, MD | $141,510 | 180 | $140,443 | 17% |
| Sacramento, CA | $141,350 | 580 | $132,511 | 19% |
| Kennewick, WA | $141,250 | 70 | $141,139 | 14% |
| Trenton, NJ | $140,340 | 350 | $136,015 | 22% |
| Denver, CO | $139,230 | 10,260 | $131,620 | 16% |
| Lakeland, FL | $139,150 | 140 | $143,245 | 16% |
| Salem, OR | $138,930 | 180 | $134,039 | 14% |
| Philadelphia, PA | $138,850 | 3,070 | $135,392 | 16% |
| Waterbury, CT | $138,770 | 90 | $139,079 | – |
| Charleston, SC | $137,930 | 480 | $136,616 | 18% |
| Dallas, TX | $137,900 | 5,900 | $133,767 | 14% |
| Oxnard, CA | $137,350 | 180 | $124,260 | 26% |
| Portland, OR | $137,200 | 1,050 | $130,145 | 16% |
| New Haven, CT | $137,000 | 220 | $131,027 | 18% |
| Jacksonville, FL | $136,100 | 820 | $136,806 | 15% |
| Madison, WI | $135,490 | 340 | $139,268 | 16% |
| Norwich, CT | $135,010 | 70 | $134,412 | 19% |
| Corvallis, OR | $134,950 | 40 | $129,738 | 16% |
| Charlotte, NC | $134,410 | 2,350 | $138,072 | 15% |
| Minneapolis, MN | $134,230 | 1,670 | $128,055 | 16% |
| Milwaukee, WI | $134,070 | 790 | $138,306 | 14% |
| Atlanta, GA | $133,890 | 5,880 | $133,812 | 17% |
| Austin, TX | $133,710 | 1,700 | $136,347 | 14% |
| Miami, FL | $133,650 | 1,940 | $117,078 | 24% |
| Lancaster, PA | $133,350 | 110 | $135,716 | 14% |
| Cincinnati, OH | $133,000 | 1,170 | $139,457 | 14% |
| Decatur, AL | $132,570 | 60 | $152,009 | 10% |
| Winchester, VA | $132,500 | 60 | $137,377 | 17% |
| Salinas, CA | $132,480 | 40 | $121,494 | 25% |
| Huntsville, AL | $132,410 | 1,660 | $142,266 | 13% |
| Phoenix, AZ | $131,990 | 3,330 | $127,754 | 16% |
| Fort Collins, CO | $131,690 | 440 | $130,221 | 18% |
| Bloomington, IN | $131,620 | 50 | $138,425 | 16% |
| Kingsport, TN | $131,420 | 210 | $152,024 | 12% |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $131,320 | 210 | $130,174 | 18% |
| Buffalo, NY | $131,320 | 620 | $137,014 | 13% |
| Providence, RI | $131,320 | 520 | $129,032 | 20% |
| Columbus, OH | $131,260 | 1,270 | $137,490 | 14% |
| Charleston, WV | $131,210 | 70 | $147,897 | 11% |
| North Port, FL | $131,160 | 130 | $128,065 | 19% |
| Bowling Green, KY | $131,150 | 40 | $145,433 | 11% |
| Birmingham, AL | $131,140 | 880 | $143,097 | 13% |
| Kenosha, WI | $131,050 | 90 | $129,601 | – |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $130,980 | 2,460 | $130,060 | 16% |
| Tampa, FL | $130,750 | 1,500 | $129,597 | 18% |
| Indianapolis, IN | $130,680 | 1,010 | $136,557 | 14% |
| Spokane, WA | $130,260 | 120 | $129,811 | 14% |
| Cape Coral, FL | $130,150 | 130 | $127,163 | 17% |
| Worcester, MA | $130,060 | 350 | $126,859 | 19% |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $129,530 | 50 | $119,277 | 26% |
| Dayton, OH | $129,430 | 360 | $139,631 | 12% |
| Appleton, WI | $129,410 | 60 | $140,025 | 11% |
| Nashville, TN | $129,370 | 1,650 | $134,288 | 17% |
| Binghamton, NY | $129,350 | 90 | $139,291 | 15% |
| Richmond, VA | $129,210 | 870 | $132,038 | 16% |
| Flagstaff, AZ | $129,170 | 40 | $128,752 | 20% |
| Oshkosh, WI | $129,060 | 90 | $138,880 | 12% |
| Santa Maria, CA | $128,990 | 130 | $118,559 | 31% |
| Detroit, MI | $128,830 | 1,570 | $128,447 | 14% |
| Cleveland, OH | $128,800 | 860 | $137,134 | 13% |
| Green Bay, WI | $128,770 | 120 | $138,334 | 10% |
| San Antonio, TX | $128,260 | 720 | $135,415 | 13% |
| Janesville, WI | $128,150 | 50 | $136,762 | 12% |
| Riverside, CA | $128,110 | 400 | $120,357 | 24% |
| Utica, NY | $127,950 | 100 | $138,059 | 13% |
| Sioux Falls, SD | $127,760 | 200 | $140,967 | 12% |
| Atlantic City, NJ | $127,570 | 190 | $129,045 | 19% |
| Reno, NV | $127,540 | 150 | $126,260 | 19% |
| Crestview, FL | $127,490 | 110 | $131,391 | 19% |
| Eau Claire, WI | $127,040 | 70 | $136,902 | 11% |
| Syracuse, NY | $126,440 | 230 | $132,063 | 15% |
| Memphis, TN | $126,400 | 630 | $137,125 | 13% |
| Columbus, GA | $126,380 | 100 | $141,529 | 13% |
| Spartanburg, SC | $126,310 | 60 | $138,724 | 14% |
| New Orleans, LA | $126,260 | 110 | $136,354 | 15% |
| Mobile, AL | $126,080 | 180 | $143,113 | 12% |
| Provo, UT | $126,000 | 280 | $128,268 | 17% |
| Greeley, CO | $125,560 | 310 | $125,339 | 16% |
| Columbia, SC | $125,510 | 270 | $134,003 | 15% |
| College Station, TX | $125,340 | 40 | $137,810 | 14% |
| Akron, OH | $125,100 | 250 | $133,983 | 13% |
| La Crosse, WI | $125,010 | 50 | $136,222 | 13% |
| Houston, TX | $124,900 | 2,200 | $126,636 | 16% |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $124,860 | 80 | $142,336 | 16% |
| Gainesville, FL | $124,840 | 90 | $129,056 | 16% |
| Little Rock, AR | $124,820 | 330 | $139,676 | 12% |
| Stockton, CA | $124,510 | 70 | $118,481 | 23% |
| Naples, FL | $124,400 | – | $120,543 | 25% |
| Gainesville, GA | $124,260 | 30 | $128,413 | 16% |
| Montgomery, AL | $124,120 | 230 | $138,400 | 13% |
| Hagerstown, MD | $123,670 | 70 | $131,325 | 16% |
| Roanoke, VA | $123,600 | 80 | $132,026 | 14% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $123,410 | 1,110 | $130,357 | 14% |
| Bakersfield, CA | $122,910 | 100 | $121,831 | 18% |
| Lansing, MI | $122,870 | 150 | $129,349 | 13% |
| Idaho Falls, ID | $122,840 | 120 | $130,111 | 14% |
| Pensacola, FL | $122,830 | 80 | $125,700 | 17% |
| Toledo, OH | $122,770 | 160 | $134,241 | 12% |
| Allentown, PA | $122,690 | 230 | $122,729 | 18% |
| Harrisburg, PA | $122,200 | 300 | $123,872 | 15% |
| Springfield, IL | $122,050 | 120 | $131,597 | 12% |
| Augusta, GA | $121,980 | 120 | $132,727 | 14% |
| Omaha, NE | $121,970 | 780 | $132,704 | 14% |
| Pueblo, CO | $121,770 | 60 | $132,702 | 13% |
| South Bend, IN | $121,770 | 110 | $131,136 | 12% |
| Deltona, FL | $121,700 | 90 | $122,475 | 17% |
| Panama City, FL | $121,580 | 70 | $124,959 | 17% |
| Albany, NY | $121,000 | 430 | $121,527 | 17% |
| Modesto, CA | $120,870 | 70 | $116,101 | 21% |
| Flint, MI | $120,720 | 30 | $129,759 | 10% |
| Tucson, AZ | $120,710 | 260 | $124,577 | 15% |
| Raleigh, NC | $120,640 | 2,190 | $122,905 | 17% |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $119,870 | 250 | $130,233 | 15% |
| Anchorage, AK | $119,720 | 90 | $113,565 | 19% |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | $119,400 | 60 | $119,128 | 23% |
| Amherst-Northampton, MA | $119,140 | 40 | $118,851 | – |
| Savannah, GA | $118,950 | 70 | $124,940 | 18% |
| Barnstable, MA | $118,870 | 50 | $120,863 | 26% |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $118,340 | 150 | $109,794 | 27% |
| Olympia, WA | $118,140 | 250 | $113,958 | 21% |
| Burlington, NC | $118,130 | 50 | $126,754 | 14% |
| Reading, PA | $117,860 | 80 | $121,430 | 16% |
| Visalia, CA | $117,610 | 30 | $117,816 | 18% |
| Knoxville, TN | $117,480 | 480 | $126,911 | 18% |
| Blacksburg, VA | $117,030 | 40 | $126,232 | 17% |
| Pinehurst, NC | $116,420 | 60 | $131,792 | 19% |
| Charlottesville, VA | $116,340 | 110 | $117,342 | 21% |
| Eugene, OR | $116,180 | 70 | $114,386 | 18% |
| York, PA | $115,820 | 110 | $120,646 | 14% |
| Burlington, VT | $115,120 | 60 | $114,038 | 27% |
| Scranton, PA | $114,570 | 90 | $122,461 | 14% |
| Greensboro, NC | $114,540 | 430 | $123,340 | 15% |
| Grand Rapids, MI | $114,310 | 340 | $119,639 | 17% |
| Fort Smith, AR | $114,270 | 50 | $133,045 | 11% |
| Wilmington, NC | $114,230 | 130 | $118,469 | 18% |
| Sioux City, IA | $114,050 | 70 | $131,920 | 14% |
| Bismarck, ND | $113,400 | 50 | $124,583 | 14% |
| State College, PA | $112,410 | 30 | $116,172 | 21% |
| Lincoln, NE | $112,060 | 290 | $122,362 | 14% |
| Fayetteville, AR | $111,930 | 270 | $122,525 | 17% |
| Champaign, IL | $111,780 | 150 | $120,577 | 15% |
| Columbia, MO | $111,310 | 80 | $124,455 | 16% |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $111,030 | 920 | $113,364 | 20% |
| Fayetteville, NC | $110,900 | 130 | $120,572 | 16% |
| Tallahassee, FL | $110,780 | 110 | $117,953 | 16% |
| Palm Bay, FL | $110,590 | 640 | $110,584 | 20% |
| Jackson, TN | $110,570 | 50 | $129,288 | 15% |
| Canton, OH | $110,460 | 40 | $123,549 | 12% |
| Hickory, NC | $109,950 | 50 | $124,257 | 17% |
| Bend, OR | $109,650 | 50 | $105,833 | 24% |
| Tulsa, OK | $109,450 | 370 | $122,683 | 15% |
| Evansville, IN | $109,370 | 80 | $119,493 | 12% |
| Fargo, ND | $109,220 | 100 | $120,192 | 12% |
| Albuquerque, NM | $109,080 | 220 | $114,165 | 16% |
| Salisbury, MD | $108,950 | 40 | $113,944 | 21% |
| Lynchburg, VA | $108,940 | 70 | $121,907 | 14% |
| Beaumont, TX | $108,740 | 50 | $120,761 | 14% |
| Davenport, IA | $108,530 | 240 | $121,836 | 11% |
| Vallejo, CA | $108,290 | 70 | $99,826 | 27% |
| Des Moines, IA | $108,280 | 640 | $118,079 | 14% |
| Ogden, UT | $108,250 | 110 | $107,874 | 18% |
| Gulfport, MS | $108,160 | – | $120,170 | 16% |
| Waco, TX | $107,750 | 50 | $116,424 | 16% |
| Helena, MT | $107,700 | 50 | $112,569 | 18% |
| Youngstown, OH | $107,570 | 50 | $123,086 | 12% |
| Kansas City, MO | $107,450 | 1,620 | $116,108 | 17% |
| Elkhart, IN | $107,400 | 40 | $118,904 | 13% |
| Rochester, NY | $107,200 | 510 | $110,476 | 17% |
| Manchester, NH | $106,940 | 240 | $101,214 | 24% |
| Grand Junction, CO | $106,840 | 90 | $111,902 | 19% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $106,310 | 570 | $117,589 | 16% |
| Ithaca, NY | $105,990 | 50 | $102,587 | 22% |
| Portland, ME | $105,850 | 210 | $103,919 | 26% |
| Sierra Vista, AZ | $105,290 | 90 | $117,981 | 15% |
| Coeur d'Alene, ID | $105,120 | 40 | $106,946 | 21% |
| Kalamazoo, MI | $104,880 | 40 | $110,586 | 15% |
| Shreveport, LA | $104,570 | – | $123,363 | 15% |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $104,540 | 130 | $115,158 | 16% |
| Amarillo, TX | $104,480 | 30 | $113,788 | 15% |
| Honolulu, HI | $104,350 | 290 | $94,042 | 35% |
| Billings, MT | $104,170 | 60 | $111,381 | 16% |
| Dothan, AL | $104,040 | 60 | $124,104 | 14% |
| Tyler, TX | $103,910 | – | $112,754 | 15% |
| Lexington, KY | $103,840 | 240 | $111,789 | 18% |
| Macon, GA | $103,770 | 50 | $117,217 | 14% |
| Lafayette, LA | $103,760 | 40 | $118,979 | 16% |
| Lubbock, TX | $103,420 | 30 | $113,254 | 15% |
| St. Louis, MO | $103,370 | 2,010 | $108,710 | 17% |
| Ames, IA | $102,630 | 30 | $115,535 | 14% |
| El Paso, TX | $102,400 | 140 | $113,889 | 18% |
| Auburn, AL | $102,380 | 50 | $116,430 | 19% |
| Greenville, NC | $102,070 | 90 | $115,461 | 17% |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | $101,520 | 50 | $108,413 | 20% |
| Lafayette, IN | $101,500 | 60 | $108,637 | 17% |
| Asheville, NC | $101,420 | 140 | $105,092 | 20% |
| Louisville, KY | $101,040 | 620 | $108,559 | 16% |
| Boise, ID | $100,950 | 420 | $102,601 | 23% |
| Jacksonville, NC | $100,890 | 30 | $109,562 | 19% |
| Clarksville, TN | $100,810 | 70 | $110,845 | 16% |
| Topeka, KS | $100,750 | 130 | $113,432 | 15% |
| Jackson, MS | $99,470 | 110 | $111,704 | 18% |
| Fresno, CA | $98,680 | 130 | $96,595 | 25% |
| Wichita, KS | $98,530 | 350 | $110,775 | 15% |
| McAllen, TX | $97,930 | 50 | $114,011 | 14% |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $97,890 | 130 | $110,035 | 15% |
| Rockford, IL | $97,540 | 90 | $105,845 | 16% |
| Huntington, WV | $97,380 | 40 | $110,131 | 13% |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $97,340 | 100 | $105,151 | 16% |
| Bangor, ME | $96,860 | 70 | $100,365 | 19% |
| Iowa City, IA | $96,790 | 70 | $105,771 | 22% |
| Ocala, FL | $96,420 | 40 | $101,245 | 20% |
| Johnson City, TN | $96,250 | 40 | $109,465 | 19% |
| Missoula, MT | $95,020 | 30 | $98,522 | 20% |
| Manhattan, KS | $93,710 | 40 | $103,935 | 16% |
| Killeen, TX | $90,690 | 80 | $99,515 | 17% |
| Lawrence, KS | $85,330 | 90 | $94,556 | 22% |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $84,270 | 50 | $90,935 | 20% |
| Hilton Head Island, SC | $82,300 | 60 | $83,965 | 29% |
| Springfield, MO | $82,020 | 130 | $92,589 | 18% |
| Jefferson City, MO | $80,480 | 60 | $91,481 | 15% |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $78,920 | 50 | $87,135 | 20% |
What the median network engineer salary pays per paycheck
| Period | Before taxes |
|---|---|
| Year | $134,050 |
| Month | $11,171 |
| Every two weeks | $5,156 |
| Week | $2,578 |
| Hour | $64.45 |
Gross pay, 52 weeks a year, 2,080 hours. Hourly to salary calculator.
Becoming a network engineer: education and job outlook
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree |
|---|---|
| Work experience needed | 5 years or more |
| On-the-job training | None |
| Projected change in jobs, 2025–35 | +7.7% (all jobs: +3.5%) |
| Openings a year (average) | 9,600 |
| Self-employed | 0.4% |
official BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35. Openings include workers who retire or change jobs. What the work involves: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Similar jobs
| Job | Median a year | Typical education |
|---|---|---|
| Software engineer | $135,980 | Bachelor's degree |
| Cybersecurity analyst | $129,180 | Bachelor's degree |
| Actuary | $130,000 | Bachelor's degree |
| Network administrator | $99,130 | Bachelor's degree |
| Data scientist | $120,230 | Bachelor's degree |
| UX designer | $104,000 | Bachelor's degree |
| Systems analyst | $105,850 | Bachelor's degree |
| Web developer | $92,650 | Bachelor's degree |
Questions about network engineer pay
How much does a network engineer make an hour?
The median is $64.45 an hour. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $38.42 and the top 10% over $97.44.
How much does a network engineer make a month?
About $11,171 a month before taxes at the median salary of $134,050, or $5,156 every two weeks.
What state pays network engineers the most?
Washington, with a median of $168,070. New Jersey ($162,350), Maryland ($159,460), California ($158,870) and Massachusetts ($155,060) follow.
Where do network engineers make the most after cost of living?
South Dakota: its median of $153,390 is worth $173,154 at typical US prices. Washington, Maryland and New Jersey come next.
How much do entry-level network engineers make?
BLS does not report pay by experience. The lowest-paid 10% of network engineers earn under $79,900 a year, and the lowest-paid quarter under $104,620, which is a reasonable guide to starting pay.
What education do you need to become a network engineer?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as a bachelor's degree. Work experience in a related job: 5 years or more. On-the-job training: none.
Sources and limits
- Pay and employment: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation 15-1241 (Computer Network Architects). Downloaded 2026-10-24.
- OEWS counts wage and salary workers at employers, including tips and commissions but not overtime pay, bonuses that are not tied to production, or benefits. It leaves out the self-employed. BLS does not publish figures above $239,200 a year or for states and metro areas with too few workers.
- Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (US = 100). Rents: Zillow Observed Rent Index, September 2026; Data Provided by Zillow Group.
- Outlook and education: BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35.
- Pay is not broken down by experience, employer or specialty (for example, ER or pediatric nursing); BLS does not publish those splits.