As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for an Entry Network Engineer in the United States is $78,900 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $38.
However, an Entry Network Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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An Entry Network Engineer's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of an Entry Network Engineer's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Network Engineer | 0-2 years | $78,879 |
| Intermediate Network Engineer | 2-4 years | $94,106 |
| Network Implementation Engineer III | 4-7 years | $113,840 |
| Network Implementation Engineer IV | 7+ years | $133,786 |
| Network Implementation Engineer V | 7-10 years | $153,178 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Entry Network Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Networking | 8.24% |
| Network Infrastructure | 2.66% |
| Telecommunications | 1.87% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Consulting
|
$86,001 |
9%
|
|
Linux
|
$82,845 |
5%
|
|
Project Management
|
$82,056 |
4%
|
|
Collaboration
|
$82,056 |
4%
|
|
AWS
|
$82,056 |
4%
|
|
Network Management
|
$82,056 |
4%
|
Entry Network Engineer salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $88,249. While startup companies pay approximate $74,632.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $74,632 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $78,935 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $85,221 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $88,249 |
For Entry Network Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 55% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Internet sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Entry Network Engineer positions in Telecom or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Entry Network Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Financial Services | $102,570 | $49.0 | 30% |
| Internet | $94,680 | $46.0 | 20% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $90,735 | $44.0 | 15% |
| Biotechnology | $90,735 | $44.0 | 15% |
| Energy & Utilities | $86,790 | $42.0 | 10% |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Entry Network Engineers enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Entry Network Engineer with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $71,454 and $75,470).
Entry Network Engineer Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 0.6% |
| High School | 18.6% |
| Associates | 21.1% |
| Bachelors | 46.2% |
| Masters | 13.2% |
| Doctorate | 0.3% |
Understanding how an Entry Network Engineer's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
Last Updated on July 01, 2026For an Entry Network Engineer, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Intermediate Network Engineer role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $94,200 - a projected growth of 19% over your current level.
Salaries for an Entry Network Engineer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $69,310 in 2023 to around $68,945 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Entry Network Engineer salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $69,310 |
| 2024 | $69,398 |
| 2025 | $68,945 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Entry Network Engineer roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.
A junior network engineer in America typically earns between $70,500 and $87,000 annually, with a median salary around $77,400. This translates to an hourly wage ranging from approximately $33.65 to $41.83, depending on experience and location.
While some network engineers can earn high salaries, entry-level network engineers typically earn between $70,500 and $87,000, with a mid-salary of $77,400. Achieving a salary of $200,000 is more common for experienced professionals in specialized roles or management positions.
A beginner network engineer in the USA typically earns between $70,500 and $87,000 annually, with a median salary of around $77,400. This range reflects the entry-level positions in the field, highlighting the competitive compensation for new engineers in the technology sector.
When considering engineering careers, Entry Network Engineers offer competitive salaries, with a minimum of $70,500, a mid-range of $77,400, and a maximum of $87,000. While various engineering fields can be lucrative, network engineering stands out for its strong earning potential, especially as technology continues to advance.
The lowest salary for an Entry Network Engineer, which typically requires a CCNA certification, is approximately $70,500. Salaries can range up to $87,000, with a median salary around $77,400, reflecting the demand for skilled professionals in this field.
The highest-paid jobs in IT typically include positions such as Chief Information Officer (CIO), Chief Technology Officer (CTO), and specialists in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML). For entry-level roles like Network Engineer, salaries range from $70,500 to $87,000, with a mid-salary of $77,400.
Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)
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