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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Intermediate Network Engineer in Illinois is $96,000 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $46.
However, an Intermediate Network Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Intermediate Network Engineer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $99,300 | $8,275 | $1,910 | $48 |
| Average | $96,000 | $8,000 | $1,846 | $46 |
| 25th Percentile | $91,100 | $7,592 | $1,752 | $44 |
NET56 - Barrington, IL
NEO NETWORK DEVELOPMENT INC - Naperville, IL
NPO USA - Chicago, IL
2Bridge Partners - Chicago, IL
An Intermediate 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, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of an Intermediate 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 | $80,402 |
| Intermediate Network Engineer | 2-4 years | $95,924 |
| Network Implementation Engineer III | 4-7 years | $116,040 |
| Network Implementation Engineer IV | 7+ years | $136,374 |
| Network Implementation Engineer V | 7-10 years | $156,140 |
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 Intermediate Network Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
Intermediate Network Engineer salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $107,466. While startup companies pay approximate $90,914.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $90,914 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $96,152 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $103,778 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $107,466 |
For Intermediate Network Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 45% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Intermediate Network Engineer positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Intermediate 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 | $115,200 | $55.0 | 20% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $115,200 | $55.0 | 20% |
| Energy & Utilities | $110,400 | $53.0 | 15% |
| Internet | $110,400 | $53.0 | 15% |
| Software & Networking | $110,400 | $53.0 | 15% |
Understanding how an Intermediate 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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $99,300 | $8,275 | $1,910 | $48 |
| Average | $96,000 | $8,000 | $1,846 | $46 |
| 25th Percentile | $91,100 | $7,592 | $1,752 | $44 |
For an Intermediate Network Engineer, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Network Implementation Engineer III role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $116,100 - a projected growth of 21% over your current level.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Intermediate Network Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Littelfuse
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Chicago, IL
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Chicago, IL
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Littelfuse
Chicago, IL
Littelfuse | Chicago, IL
Littelfuse is seeking a Senior Network Engineer to design, implement, and support a global enterprise network across 100+ locations. You will partner with ... more
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