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Network Engineering Manager Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Network Engineering Manager in the United States is $140,437 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $68.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $162,293
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $127,262 to $151,877
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $115,267

Key Factors That Influence Network Engineering Manager Salaries

A Network Engineering Manager'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 Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Network Engineering Manager'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

Top Paying Cities for Network Engineering Manager

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: $177,133
  • San Francisco: $175,194
  • Oakland: $171,502

What Skills Can Increase a Network Engineering Manager's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Networking (Mentioned in 6.12% Job Postings): Ability to maintain, build and expand a personal and business contact list to grow one's career and business opportunities.
  • Network Architecture (Mentioned in 3.2% Job Postings): Network architecture is the design of a computer network. It is a framework for the specification of a network's physical components and their functional organization and configuration, its operational principles and procedures, as well as communication protocols used. In telecommunication, the specification of a network architecture may also include a detailed description of products and services delivered via a communications network, as well as detailed rate and billing structures under which services are compensated. The network architecture of the Internet is predominantly expressed by its use of the Internet Protocol Suite, rather than a specific model for interconnecting networks or nodes in the network, or the usage of specific types of hardware links.
  • Network Design (Mentioned in 1.81% Job Postings): Network planning and design is an iterative process, encompassing topological design, network-synthesis, and network-realization, and is aimed at ensuring that a new telecommunications network or service meets the needs of the subscriber and operator. The process can be tailored according to each new network or service.
Skills Demand Percentage
Networking 6.12%
Network Architecture 3.2%
Network Design 1.81%

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 Engineering Manager's salary.

  • Oracle Cloud: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • Budgeting: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • Innovation: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Oracle Cloud $155,885
11%
Budgeting $155,885
11%
Innovation $150,268
7%

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

Network Engineering Manager salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $157,211. While startup companies pay approximate $132,997.

Network Engineering Manager Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $132,997
Growth Stage 51~500 $140,660
Established 501~5000 $151,815
Enterprise 5000+ $157,211

Network Engineering Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Network Engineering Manager 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 Energy & Utilities and Healthcare sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Network Engineering Manager positions in Transportation or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Network Engineering Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Network Engineering Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Energy & Utilities$168,524$81.020%
Healthcare$161,503$78.015%
Software & Networking$161,503$78.015%
Telecom$161,503$78.015%
Biotechnology$154,481$74.010%

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

Understanding how a Network Engineering Manager'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
$127,262
Average $140,437/year
$151,877
$10,605
Average $11,703/month
$12,656
$2,447
Average $2,701/week
$2,921
$61
Average $68/hour
$73
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $151,877 $12,656 $2,921 $73
Average $140,437 $11,703 $2,701 $68
25th Percentile $127,262 $10,605 $2,447 $61

Network Engineering Manager Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Network Engineering Manager, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Network Engineering Senior Manager role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $167,698 - a projected growth of 19% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Network Engineering Manager

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

Common company salaries for Network Engineering Manager

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

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FAQ about Network Engineering Manager

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

A Network Engineering Manager'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 Manager earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Network Engineering Manager is $177,133.

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

The highest pay for Network Engineering Manager is $162,293.

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

The lowest pay for Network Engineering Manager is $115,267.

4. What are the responsibilities of Network Engineering Manager?

Manages and implements the plans, designs, and development of 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. Conducts 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. May be certified or has deep knowledge of vendor-specific products. Requires a bachelor's degree in computer science, electrical engineering or equivalent. Typically reports to a director. Manages subordinate staff in the day-to-day performance of their jobs. True first level manager. Ensures that project/department milestones/goals are met and adhering to approved budgets. Has full authority for personnel actions. Typically requires 5 years experience in the related area as an individual contributor. 1-3 years supervisory experience may be required. Extensive knowledge of the function and department processes.

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

The Energy & Utilities industry offers the highest average compensation for Network Engineering Manager 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.

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