upper level job

Network Engineer V Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Network Engineer V in the United States is $153,184 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $74.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $172,892
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $141,808 to $163,500
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $131,451

Key Factors That Influence Network Engineer V Salaries

A Network Engineer V'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 V Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Network Engineer V'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 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
  • Network Engineering Supervisor (12+ years): $120,728
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
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
Network Engineering Supervisor12+ years$120,728

Top Paying Cities for Network Engineer V

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: $193,211
  • San Francisco: $191,096
  • Oakland: $187,068

What Skills Can Increase a Network Engineer V's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Networking (Mentioned in 9% 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 2.75% Job Postings): Refers to all of the resources of a network that make network or internet connectivity, management, business operations and communication possible.
  • Network Engineering (Mentioned in 2.26% Job Postings): A computer network is a digital telecommunications network which allows nodes to share resources. In computer networks, computing devices exchange data with each other using connections (data links) between nodes. These data links are established over cable media such as wires or optic cables, or wireless media such as Wi-Fi. Network computer devices that originate, route and terminate the data are called network nodes. Nodes are generally identified by network addresses, and can include hosts such as personal computers, phones, and servers, as well as networking hardware such as routers and switches. Two such devices can be said to be networked together when one device is able to exchange information with the other device, whether or not they have a direct connection to each other. In most cases, application-specific communications protocols are layered (i.e. carried as payload) over other more general communications protocols. This formidable collection of information technology requires skilled network management to keep it all running reliably.
Skills Demand Percentage
Networking 9%
Network Infrastructure 2.75%
Network Engineering 2.26%

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 V's salary.

  • Decision Making: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Coordination: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Network Engineering: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Decision Making $159,311
4%
Coordination $159,311
4%
Network Engineering $159,311
4%

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

Network Engineer V salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $171,481. While startup companies pay approximate $145,069.

Network Engineer V Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $145,069
Growth Stage 51~500 $153,427
Established 501~5000 $165,595
Enterprise 5000+ $171,481

Network Engineer V Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Network Engineer V roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Network Engineer positions in Retail & Wholesale or MFG Durable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Network Engineer V as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Network Engineer V

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$183,821$88.020%
Financial Services$183,821$88.020%
Pharmaceuticals$183,821$88.020%
Software & Networking$183,821$88.020%
Telecom$183,821$88.020%

How Education impacts an Network Engineer V's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Network Engineer V 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 V with a Bachelor's Degree is between $140,871 and $147,334.

Network Engineer V Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Network Engineer V
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 2.2%
High School 22.7%
Associates 9.5%
Bachelors 45.4%
Masters 19.8%
Doctorate 0.4%

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

Understanding how a Network Engineer V'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
$141,808
Average $153,184/year
$163,500
$11,817
Average $12,765/month
$13,625
$2,727
Average $2,946/week
$3,144
$68
Average $74/hour
$79
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $163,500 $13,625 $3,144 $79
Average $153,184 $12,765 $2,946 $74
25th Percentile $141,808 $11,817 $2,727 $68

Network Engineer V Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Network Engineer V, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Network Engineer VI role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $191,660 - a projected growth of 25% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Network Engineer V

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

Common company salaries for Network Engineer V

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

Find Your Next Network Engineer V Job

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

For Employees

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

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

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

Adjust Employee Salary

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

Price My Industry Jobs

FAQ about Network Engineer V

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

A Network Engineer V'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 V earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Network Engineer V is $193,211.

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

The highest pay for Network Engineer V is $172,892.

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

The lowest pay for Network Engineer V is $131,451.

4. What are the responsibilities of Network Engineer V?

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. Usually is certified in vendor-specific products. Typically requires a bachelor's degree in computer science, electrical engineering or equivalent. Typically reports to a manager. Works autonomously. Goals are generally communicated in "solution" or project goal terms. May provide a leadership role for the work group through knowledge in the area of specialization. Works on advanced, complex technical projects or business issues requiring state of the art technical or industry knowledge. Typically requires 10+ years of related experience.

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

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Network Engineer V roles, with salaries approximately 20% 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.

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
lower level job