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Network Engineer - Project Lead Salary in the United States

How much does a Network Engineer - Project Lead make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Network Engineer - Project Lead in the United States is $133,800 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $64.

However, a Network Engineer - Project Lead's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $153,955
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $121,180 to $144,350
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $109,690
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Network Engineer - Project Lead Salaries

A Network Engineer - Project Lead'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.

How Experience Level Affects Network Engineer - Project Lead Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Network Engineer - Project Lead'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:

  • Intermediate Network Engineer (2-4 years): $94,110
  • Network Implementation Engineer III (4-7 years): $113,846
  • Network Engineer - Project Lead (7+ years): $133,798
  • Network Implementation Engineer V (7-10 years): $153,190
  • Network Implementation Engineer VI (10-12 years): $191,663
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Intermediate Network Engineer2-4 years$94,110
Network Implementation Engineer III4-7 years$113,846
Network Engineer - Project Lead7+ years$133,798
Network Implementation Engineer V7-10 years$153,190
Network Implementation Engineer VI10-12 years$191,663
View as Graph

How Do Network Engineer - Project Lead Salaries Vary from State to State?

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 Network Engineer - Project Leads. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $148,150.
  • California: $147,580.
  • Massachusetts: $145,620.

Top Paying Cities for Network Engineer - Project Leads

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:

  • San Jose: $168,760
  • San Francisco: $166,920
  • Oakland: $163,400

What Skills Can Increase a Network Engineer - Project Lead's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Networking (Mentioned in 8.74% Job Postings): Ability to maintain, build and expand a personal and business contact list to grow one's career and business opportunities.
  • Network Infrastructure (Mentioned in 2.73% Job Postings): Refers to all of the resources of a network that make network or internet connectivity, management, business operations and communication possible.
  • TCP/IP (Mentioned in 2.32% Job Postings): TCP/IP is a data link protocol used on the internet to let computers and other devices send and receive data across networks.
Skills Demand Percentage
Networking 8.74%
Network Infrastructure 2.73%
TCP/IP 2.32%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Network Engineer - Project Lead's salary.

  • Solution Design: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • Communicates Effectively: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Flexibility: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Solution Design $147,180
10%
Communicates Effectively $141,828
6%
Flexibility $140,490
5%
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Network Engineer - Project Lead Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Network Engineer - Project Lead salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $149,527. While startup companies pay approximate $126,485.

Network Engineer - Project Lead Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $126,485
Growth Stage 51~500 $133,770
Established 501~5000 $144,387
Enterprise 5000+ $149,527

Network Engineer - Project Lead Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Network Engineer - Project Lead roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 49% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Network Engineer - Project Lead positions in Transportation or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Network Engineer - Project Lead as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Network Engineer - Project Lead

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$167,250$80.025%
Energy & Utilities$147,180$71.010%
Financial Services$147,180$71.010%
Software & Networking$147,180$71.010%
Insurance$144,504$69.08%

How Education impacts a Network Engineer - Project Lead's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Network Engineer - Project Leads 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 a Network Engineer - Project Lead with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $129,057 and $134,571).

Network Engineer - Project Lead Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Network Engineer - Project Lead
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.5%
High School 20.3%
Associates 11.2%
Bachelors 47.6%
Masters 19.8%
Doctorate 0.5%
View as Graph

Network Engineer - Project Lead Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Network Engineer - Project Lead'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 September 01, 2026
$121,180
Average $133,800/year
$144,350
$10,098
Average $11,150/month
$12,029
$2,330
Average $2,573/week
$2,776
$58
Average $64/hour
$69
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $144,350 $12,029 $2,776 $69
Average $133,800 $11,150 $2,573 $64
25th Percentile $121,180 $10,098 $2,330 $58

Network Engineer - Project Lead Salary Growth & Career Path

Network Engineer - Project Lead

Next Role

Advancement

For a Network Engineer - Project Lead, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Network Implementation Engineer V role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $153,200 - a projected growth of 14% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Network Engineer - Project Lead

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Network Engineer - Project Lead

Here are companies hiring for Network Engineer - Project Lead and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Network Engineer - Project Lead

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Network Engineer - Project Lead?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Network Engineer - Project Lead roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.

2. What is the salary of a 7 year Network Engineer?

The salary for a Network Engineer with 7 years of experience typically ranges from $125,750 to $146,070, with a mid-salary of $135,480. This reflects the competitive compensation for skilled professionals in this field, highlighting the value of experience and expertise in network engineering.

3. Which Network Engineer gives highest salary?

The highest salary for a Network Engineer - Project Lead is $146,070 annually, with a minimum of $125,750 and a midpoint of $135,480. Other roles like Network Architect typically range from $120,000 to $150,000, while Senior Network Engineer and Network Security Engineer also offer competitive salaries within this range.

4. Can an engineer make $500,000?

Can a network engineer make $500,000? Yes, but it's unlikely for most network engineers. The salary range for a Network Engineer - Project Lead typically falls between $125,750 and $146,070, with a mid-salary of $135,480. Achieving $500,000 would require exceptional circumstances or roles in high-demand markets.

5. Is project engineer a stressful job?

The role of a Project Engineer can indeed be stressful due to the high pressure of meeting deadlines and managing intricate technical requirements. With a salary range from $125,750 to $146,070, the financial rewards may reflect the demanding nature of the job. Balancing responsibilities and expectations is crucial for success in this position.

6. What is the salary of Ccna Network Engineer?

The estimated salary for a Network Engineer - Project Lead ranges from $125,750 to $146,070 per year, with a midpoint (mid-salary) of $135,480. This range reflects the varying levels of experience and expertise in the field.

7. Which engineer is highest paid in USA?

The highest-paid engineers in the USA are typically in specialized roles. For instance, a Network Engineer - Project Lead can expect a salary ranging from $125,750 to $146,070, with a median salary of $135,480. This positions them competitively among other engineering disciplines, reflecting the demand for skilled professionals in the tech industry.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

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.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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