upper level job

Telecommunications Network Engineer I Salary in the United States

How much does a Telecommunications Network Engineer I make in the United States?

As of May 01, 2026, the average salary for a Telecommunications Network Engineer I in the United States is $69,490 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $33.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $74,457
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $60,990 to $72,090
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $53,251
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2025 Compensation Trend
AI-Powered Talent
AI-Powered HR
View as table View as graph 25% $60,990 10% $53,251 90% $74,457 75% $72,090 $69,490 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Telecommunications Network Engineer I Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $72,090 $6,008 $1,386 $35
Average $69,490 $5,791 $1,336 $33
25th Percentile $60,990 $5,083 $1,173 $29
Check out Telecommunications Network Engineer I Job Openings in the United States
Senior Network and Systems Engineer

BlueBridge Networks - Cleveland, OH

Inteletech Global Inc is Cloud Network Engineer

Inteletech Global Inc - Youngstown, OH

Information Services

Wayne Hospital Company - Greenville, OH

Sonographer

UAB Medicine - CLANTON, AL

Search More Telecommunications Network Engineer I Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Telecommunications Network Engineer I Salaries

A Telecommunications Network Engineer I'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 Telecommunications Network Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Telecommunications Network Engineer I'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:

  • Telecommunications Network Engineer I (0-2 years): $69,485
  • Engineer, Experienced - Telecommunications (2-4 years): $89,273
  • Field Service Engineer III - Telecommunications (4-7 years): $118,271
  • Field Service Engineer IV - Telecommunications (7+ years): $137,311
  • Field Service Engineer V - Telecommunications (7-10 years): $154,641
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Telecommunications Network Engineer I0-2 years$69,485
Engineer, Experienced - Telecommunications2-4 years$89,273
Field Service Engineer III - Telecommunications4-7 years$118,271
Field Service Engineer IV - Telecommunications7+ years$137,311
Field Service Engineer V - Telecommunications7-10 years$154,641
$69,485 Telecommu...
$89,273 Engineer,...
$118,271 Field Ser...
$137,311 Field Ser...
$154,641 Field Ser...
View as Table
View as Graph

What Am I Worth?

How Do Telecommunications Network Engineer I 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 Telecommunications Network Engineer Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $76,990.
  • California: $76,690.
  • Massachusetts: $75,690.

Top Paying Cities for Telecommunications Network Engineer Is

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: $87,690
  • San Francisco: $86,690
  • Oakland: $84,890

What Skills Can Increase a Telecommunications Network Engineer I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Troubleshooting (Mentioned in 7.37% Job Postings): Troubleshooting is a form of problem solving, often applied to repair failed products or processes on a machine or a system. It is a logical, systematic search for the source of a problem in order to solve it, and make the product or process operational again. Troubleshooting is needed to identify the symptoms. Determining the most likely cause is a process of elimination—eliminating potential causes of a problem. Finally, troubleshooting requires confirmation that the solution restores the product or process to its working state. In general, troubleshooting is the identification or diagnosis of "trouble" in the management flow of a system caused by a failure of some kind. The problem is initially described as symptoms of malfunction, and troubleshooting is the process of determining and remedying the causes of these symptoms. A system can be described in terms of its expected, desired or intended behavior (usually, for artificial systems, its purpose). Events or inputs to the system are expected to generate specific results or outputs. (For example, selecting the "print" option from various computer applications is intended to result in a hardcopy emerging from some specific device). Any unexpected or undesirable behavior is a symptom. Troubleshooting is the process of isolating the specific cause or causes of the symptom. Frequently the symptom is a failure of the product or process to produce any results. (Nothing was printed, for example). Corrective action can then be taken to prevent further failures of a similar kind.
  • Semiconductors (Mentioned in 2.41% Job Postings): Semiconductors are substances with properties somewhere between them. ICs(integrated circuits) and electronic discrete components such as diodes and transistors are made of semiconductors.
  • Dialysis (Mentioned in 1.6% Job Postings): Utilizing knowledge of dialysis principles and procedures to treat individuals who suffer from kidney failure to regain normal kidney function.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Troubleshooting 7.37%
Semiconductors 2.41%
Dialysis 1.6%
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 Telecommunications Network Engineer I's salary.
  • Corrective Maintenance: Can increase your salary by up to 20%.
  • Pneumatics: Can increase your salary by up to 18%.
  • Innovation: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Corrective Maintenance
$83,388
20%
Pneumatics
$81,998
18%
Innovation
$77,829
12%
Preventive Maintenance
$77,829
12%
Semiconductors
$77,134
11%
Customer Focus
$76,439
10%
Get Latest Data

How Education impacts a Telecommunications Network Engineer I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Telecommunications Network Engineer Is enter the field with a Associate's Degree 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 Telecommunications Network Engineer I with a Associate's Degree is between $71,433 and $76,148).

Telecommunications Network Engineer I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Telecommunications Network Engineer I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.8%
High School 14.7%
Associates 10.1%
Bachelors 51.9%
Masters 19.4%
Doctorate 3.1%
view as graph

Telecommunications Network Engineer I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Telecommunications Network Engineer I'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 May 01, 2026

Telecommunications Network Engineer I Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Telecommunications Network Engineer I, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Telecommunications Network Engineer I Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Intermediate Provisioning Engineer $72,000 4%
Engineer, Experienced - Telecommunications $89,300 29%

Salary Trends for Telecommunications Network Engineer I

Salaries for a Telecommunications Network Engineer I can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $79,391 in 2023 to around $77,771 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Telecommunications Network Engineer I salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Telecommunications Network Engineer I Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$79,391
2024
$78,725
2025
$77,771
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $79,391
2024 $78,725
2025 $77,771
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Telecommunications Network Engineer I

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

If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution.

Compensation Planning

Common company salaries for Telecommunications Network Engineer I

Here are companies hiring for Telecommunications Network Engineer I and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Telecommunications Network Engineer I Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Telecommunications Network Engineer I job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
For Employees

Get a Salary Increase

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Search Job Openings

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

For Employers

Adjust Employee Salary

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Price My Industry Jobs

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

FAQ about Telecommunications Network Engineer I

1. How much does a Network Engineer earn in the US?

As of now, the salary for a Telecommunications Network Engineer in the United States ranges from $69,190 to $89,590 annually, with a median salary of $77,390. This translates to approximately $33.24 to $42.96 per hour, or $1,333 to $1,730 per week.

2. Can network engineers make 200k?

Network Engineers typically earn between $69,190 and $89,590, with a mid-salary of $77,390. While some experienced professionals may approach higher salaries, reaching $200k is uncommon in this field based on the provided data.

3. Is network engineer a stressful job?

Network engineering can be a stressful job due to various factors. Engineers often face complex technical issues like outages and security threats, which can create pressure. Additionally, working under tight deadlines can heighten stress levels. Despite these challenges, the role offers a competitive salary range, with a minimum of $69,190, a mid-range of $77,390, and a maximum of $89,590.

4. Which IT job is the highest paid?

The highest paid IT job in telecommunications is the Telecommunications Network Engineer, with a maximum annual salary of $89,590. The average salary for this role is around $77,390, while the minimum starts at $69,190. This position offers competitive compensation, reflecting the growing demand for skilled professionals in the telecommunications sector.

5. What city is best for network engineers?

The best-paying cities for Telecommunications Network Engineers include San Francisco, Providence, Washington DC, Salt Lake City, and Atlanta. In these areas, salaries typically range from a minimum of $69,190 to a mid-level of $77,390, with top earners making up to $89,590.

6. What is the highest salary of telecom engineer?

The highest salary for a Telecommunications Network Engineer can reach up to $89,590 annually. Typically, the average salary falls around $77,390, while entry-level positions may start at approximately $69,190. These figures reflect the potential earnings based on experience and expertise in the field.

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.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst