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Network Engineering Director Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Network Engineering Director in the United States is $197,732 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $95.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $209,369
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $182,245 to $203,823
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $168,145
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Network Engineering Director Salaries

A Network Engineering Director'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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Network Engineering Director Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Network Engineering Director'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 VI (10-12 years): $191,660
  • Network Engineering Supervisor (12+ years): $120,728
  • Network Engineering Manager (12+ years): $140,437
  • Network Engineering Senior Manager (12+ years): $167,698
  • Network Engineering Director (12+ years): $197,732
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Network Engineer VI10-12 years$191,660
Network Engineering Supervisor12+ years$120,728
Network Engineering Manager12+ years$140,437
Network Engineering Senior Manager12+ years$167,698
Network Engineering Director12+ years$197,732
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How Do Network Engineering Directors 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 Directors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $218,929.
  • California: $218,098.
  • Massachusetts: $215,192.

Top Paying Cities for Network Engineering Director

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: $249,399
  • San Francisco: $246,669
  • Oakland: $241,470

Network Engineering Director Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Network Engineering Director salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $221,350. While startup companies pay approximate $187,257.

Network Engineering Director Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $187,257
Growth Stage 51~500 $198,046
Established 501~5000 $213,752
Enterprise 5000+ $221,350

Network Engineering Director Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Network Engineering Director roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 33% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Internet sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 18% above the average. In contrast, Network Engineering Director positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Network Engineering Director as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Network Engineering Director

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$233,324$112.018%
Internet$227,392$109.015%
Aerospace & Defense$221,460$106.012%
Healthcare$217,505$105.010%
Insurance$213,551$103.08%

Network Engineering Director Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Network Engineering Director'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
$182,245
Average $197,732/year
$203,823
$15,187
Average $16,478/month
$16,985
$3,505
Average $3,803/week
$3,920
$88
Average $95/hour
$98
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $203,823 $16,985 $3,920 $98
Average $197,732 $16,478 $3,803 $95
25th Percentile $182,245 $15,187 $3,505 $88

Most common benefits for Network Engineering Director

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

Common company salaries for Network Engineering Director

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

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FAQ about Network Engineering Director

1. Where can a Network Engineering Director earn the most?

A Network Engineering Director'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 Engineering Director earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Network Engineering Director is $249,399.

2. What is the highest pay for Network Engineering Director?

The highest pay for Network Engineering Director is $209,369.

3. What is the lowest pay for Network Engineering Director?

The lowest pay for Network Engineering Director is $168,145.

4. What are the responsibilities of Network Engineering Director?

Plans, designs, and develops all aspects of network systems that will meet an organization's requirements for performance, security, and compliance with relevant standards and regulations. Identifies network requirements for hardware, software, and services that will provide optimal solutions and meet the capacity requirement for the organization. Directs network architecture design, feasibility, and cost studies. Develops monitoring, maintenance, expansion, contingency, and recovery plans and strategies to ensure the network is responsive to changes in demand. Keeps abreast with the latest technologies and best practices and utilizes vendors and providers to provide additional resources to support networks. Usually is certified and has deep knowledge of vendor-specific products. Requires a bachelor's degree in computer science, electrical engineering or equivalent. Typically reports to a functional head. Manages a departmental sub-function within a broader departmental function. Creates functional strategies and specific objectives for the sub-function and develops budgets/policies/procedures to support the functional infrastructure. Typically requires 5+ years of managerial experience. Deep knowledge of the managed sub-function and solid knowledge of the overall departmental function.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Network Engineering Director?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Network Engineering Director roles, with salaries approximately 18% 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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