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Network Engineering - Specialist Salary in the United States

How much does a Network Engineering - Specialist make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Network Engineering - Specialist in the United States is $133,790 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $64.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $154,041
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $121,190 to $144,390
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $109,718
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Network Engineering - Specialist Salaries

A Network Engineering - Specialist'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 Engineering - Specialist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Network Engineering - Specialist'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 Engineering - Specialist (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 Engineering - Specialist7+ 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 Engineering - Specialist 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 Engineering - Specialists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $148,190.
  • California: $147,590.
  • Massachusetts: $145,690.

Top Paying Cities for Network Engineering - Specialists

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: $168,790
  • San Francisco: $166,990
  • Oakland: $163,390

What Skills Can Increase a Network Engineering - Specialist'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 Engineering - Specialist'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 $147,169
10%
Communicates Effectively $141,817
6%
Flexibility $140,480
5%
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Network Engineering - Specialist Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Network Engineering - Specialist salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $149,516. While startup companies pay approximate $126,475.

Network Engineering - Specialist Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $126,475
Growth Stage 51~500 $133,760
Established 501~5000 $144,377
Enterprise 5000+ $149,516

Network Engineering - Specialist Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Network Engineering - Specialist 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 Engineering - Specialist positions in Transportation or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Network Engineering - Specialist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Network Engineering - Specialist

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$167,238$80.025%
Energy & Utilities$147,169$71.010%
Financial Services$147,169$71.010%
Software & Networking$147,169$71.010%
Insurance$144,493$69.08%

How Education impacts a Network Engineering - Specialist's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Network Engineering - Specialists 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 Engineering - Specialist with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $129,062 and $134,574).

Network Engineering - Specialist Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Network Engineering - Specialist
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 Engineering - Specialist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Network Engineering - Specialist'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
$121,190
Average $133,790/year
$144,390
$10,099
Average $11,149/month
$12,033
$2,331
Average $2,573/week
$2,777
$58
Average $64/hour
$69
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $144,390 $12,033 $2,777 $69
Average $133,790 $11,149 $2,573 $64
25th Percentile $121,190 $10,099 $2,331 $58

Network Engineering - Specialist Salary Growth & Career Path

Network Engineering - Specialist

Next Role

Advancement

For a Network Engineering - Specialist, 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 15% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Network Engineering - Specialist

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

Common company salaries for Network Engineering - Specialist

Here are companies hiring for Network Engineering - Specialist and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Network Engineering - Specialist

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Network Engineering - Specialist?

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

2. Which engineer is highest paid in USA?

In the USA, Network Engineering Specialists earn competitive salaries, with a minimum of $125,790, a mid-range salary of $135,490, and a maximum of $146,090 annually. While various engineering fields have high salaries, Network Engineering stands out as one of the top-paying sectors, reflecting the demand for skilled professionals in this area.

3. What is the highest paid job in networking?

The highest paid job in networking is often the Principal Network Engineer, with a salary range typically between $125,790 and $146,090 per year. Other high-paying roles include Cloud Consultant and Cyber Security Manager, with salaries reaching up to $150,000 annually. These positions require advanced skills and experience in network design and security.

4. Which job is highest paid in USA?

The highest-paid job in the USA can vary, but a Network Engineering Specialist has a salary range that reflects significant earning potential. The minimum salary is $125,790, the mid-salary is $135,490, and the maximum salary reaches $146,090. This role is highly valued in the tech industry, contributing to its competitive compensation.

5. Which Network Engineer gives highest salary?

The highest salary for a Network Engineer role is typically associated with a Network Architect, with an average salary ranging from $125,790 to $146,090 annually. Other roles like Senior Network Engineer and Network Security Engineer also offer competitive salaries, but the Network Architect position stands out in terms of compensation.

6. Can network engineers make 200k?

While the average salary for Network Engineering Specialists ranges from $125,790 to $146,090, it's possible for experienced professionals in high-demand areas to earn significantly more. In certain roles, such as cloud or DevOps, salaries can reach between $180,000 and $270,000, with some Network Engineers potentially earning up to $230,000.

7. Is network Specialist a good career?

A career as a Network Specialist is promising, given the increasing demand for skilled professionals in various industries like healthcare, finance, and education. With a salary range from $125,790 to $146,090, it offers competitive compensation. As technology evolves, the need for network engineers continues to grow, making it a stable and rewarding career choice.

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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