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Network Engineer IV Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Network Engineer IV in the United States is $133,792 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $64.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $153,919
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $121,174 to $144,327
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $109,686

Key Factors That Influence Network Engineer IV Salaries

A Network Engineer IV'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 IV Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Network Engineer IV'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:

  • Network Engineer II (2-4 years): $94,108
  • Network Engineer III (4-7 years): $113,843
  • Network Engineer IV (7+ years): $133,792
  • Network Engineer V (7-10 years): $153,184
  • Network Engineer VI (10-12 years): $191,660
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Network Engineer II2-4 years$94,108
Network Engineer III4-7 years$113,843
Network Engineer IV7+ years$133,792
Network Engineer V7-10 years$153,184
Network Engineer VI10-12 years$191,660

Top Paying Cities for Network Engineer IV

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: $168,752
  • San Francisco: $166,904
  • Oakland: $163,387

What Skills Can Increase a Network Engineer IV'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%

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 IV'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 $147,171
10%
Communicates Effectively $141,820
6%
Flexibility $140,482
5%

Network Engineer IV Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Network Engineer IV salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $149,772. While startup companies pay approximate $126,704.

Network Engineer IV Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $126,704
Growth Stage 51~500 $134,004
Established 501~5000 $144,632
Enterprise 5000+ $149,772

Network Engineer IV Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

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

The top paying industries for a Network Engineer IV

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$167,240$80.025%
Energy & Utilities$147,171$71.010%
Financial Services$147,171$71.010%
Software & Networking$147,171$71.010%
Insurance$144,495$69.08%

How Education impacts an Network Engineer IV's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Network Engineer IV enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Network Engineer IV with a Bachelor's Degree is between $130,568 and $136,029.

Network Engineer IV Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Network Engineer IV
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%

Network Engineer IV Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Network Engineer IV'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 August 01, 2026
$121,174
Average $133,792/year
$144,327
$10,098
Average $11,149/month
$12,027
$2,330
Average $2,573/week
$2,776
$58
Average $64/hour
$69
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $144,327 $12,027 $2,776 $69
Average $133,792 $11,149 $2,573 $64
25th Percentile $121,174 $10,098 $2,330 $58

Network Engineer IV Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Network Engineer IV, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Network Engineer V role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $153,184 - a projected growth of 14% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Network Engineer IV

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

Common company salaries for Network Engineer IV

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

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FAQ about Network Engineer IV

1. Where can a Network Engineer IV earn the most?

A Network Engineer IV's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Network Engineer IV earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Network Engineer IV is $168,752.

2. What is the highest pay for Network Engineer IV?

The highest pay for Network Engineer IV is $153,919.

3. What is the lowest pay for Network Engineer IV?

The lowest pay for Network Engineer IV is $109,686.

4. What are the responsibilities of Network Engineer IV?

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 highly independent. May assume a team lead role for the work group. A specialist on complex technical and business matters. Typically requires 7+ years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Network Engineer IV?

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

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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