As of July 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for a Network Engineer I in the United States is $38, which translates to an annual salary of about $78,879.
However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
AI-Powered HR
Recruit with AI
A 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.
Experience is a primary driver of a 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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Network Engineer I | 0-2 years | $78,879 |
| Network Engineer II | 2-4 years | $94,106 |
| Network Engineer III | 4-7 years | $113,840 |
| Network Engineer IV | 7+ years | $133,786 |
| Network 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 Network Engineer Is. 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
|
$85,978 |
9%
|
|
Linux
|
$82,823 |
5%
|
|
Project Management
|
$82,034 |
4%
|
|
Collaboration
|
$82,034 |
4%
|
|
AWS
|
$82,034 |
4%
|
|
Network Management
|
$82,034 |
4%
|
Network Engineer I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $88,226. While startup companies pay approximate $74,612.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $74,612 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $78,914 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $85,199 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $88,226 |
For Network Engineer I 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, Network Engineer positions in Telecom or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Network Engineer I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Financial Services | $102,543 | $49.0 | 30% |
| Internet | $94,655 | $46.0 | 20% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $90,711 | $44.0 | 15% |
| Biotechnology | $90,711 | $44.0 | 15% |
| Energy & Utilities | $86,767 | $42.0 | 10% |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Network Engineer Is 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 I with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $71,757 and $75,788).
Network Engineer I 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 a 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 July 01, 2026Salaries for a Network Engineer I 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 Network Engineer I salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $69,310 |
| 2024 | $69,398 |
| 2025 | $68,945 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution.
Compensation PlanningHere are companies hiring for Network Engineer I and their salaries, click below for more details.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Network Engineer I job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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.
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.
The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Network Engineer I roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.
Develops and deploys plans and designs of network systems that will meet an organization's requirements for performance, security, and compliance with relevant standards and regulations. Conducts network architecture design, feasibility, and cost studies. Defines monitoring, maintenance, expansion, contingency, and recovery plans and strategies to ensure the network is responsive to changes in demand. Troubleshoots network issues and develops appropriate solutions, resources, and deployment processes. Keeps informed of the latest technologies to enhance knowledge of networking hardware, software, and best practices. May be certified in vendor-specific products. Typically requires a bachelor's degree in computer science, electrical engineering or equivalent. Typically reports to a manager. Work is closely managed. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience.
Specify the abilities and skills that a person needs in order to carry out the specified job duties. Each competency has five to ten behavioral assertions that can be observed, each with a corresponding performance level (from one to five) that is required for a particular job.
Networking: Ability to maintain, build and expand a personal and business contact list to grow one's career and business opportunities.
Network Infrastructure: Refers to all of the resources of a network that make network or internet connectivity, management, business operations and communication possible.
Telecommunications: Telecommunication is the transmission of information by various types of technologies over wire, radio or optical. It has its origin in the desire of humans for communication over a distance greater than that feasible with the human voice.
Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
