Network Operations Technician III Salary in the United States

How much does a Network Operations Technician III make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Network Operations Technician III in the United States is $88,362 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $42.

However, a Network Operations Technician III's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $109,465
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $80,051 to $99,408
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $72,484

Key Factors That Influence Network Operations Technician III Salaries

A Network Operations Technician III'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 Operations Technician III Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Network Operations Technician III'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:

  • Telecommunications Technician I (0-1 years): $59,708
  • Telecommunications Technician II (1-3 years): $74,925
  • Network Operations Technician III (3-5 years): $88,362
  • Telecommunications Supervisor I (5+ years): $84,467
  • Telecommunications Supervisor II (5+ years): $128,683
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Telecommunications Technician I0-1 years$59,708
Telecommunications Technician II1-3 years$74,925
Network Operations Technician III3-5 years$88,362
Telecommunications Supervisor I5+ years$84,467
Telecommunications Supervisor II5+ years$128,683

Top Paying Cities for Network Operations Technician IIIs

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: $111,451
  • San Francisco: $110,231
  • Oakland: $107,908

What Skills Can Increase a Network Operations Technician III's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Troubleshooting (Mentioned in 2.74% Job Postings): Troubleshooting is a form of problem solving, often applied to repair failed products or processes on a machine or a system. It is a logical, systematic search for the source of a problem in order to solve it, and make the product or process operational again. Troubleshooting is needed to identify the symptoms. Determining the most likely cause is a process of elimination—eliminating potential causes of a problem. Finally, troubleshooting requires confirmation that the solution restores the product or process to its working state. In general, troubleshooting is the identification or diagnosis of "trouble" in the management flow of a system caused by a failure of some kind. The problem is initially described as symptoms of malfunction, and troubleshooting is the process of determining and remedying the causes of these symptoms. A system can be described in terms of its expected, desired or intended behavior (usually, for artificial systems, its purpose). Events or inputs to the system are expected to generate specific results or outputs. (For example, selecting the "print" option from various computer applications is intended to result in a hardcopy emerging from some specific device). Any unexpected or undesirable behavior is a symptom. Troubleshooting is the process of isolating the specific cause or causes of the symptom. Frequently the symptom is a failure of the product or process to produce any results. (Nothing was printed, for example). Corrective action can then be taken to prevent further failures of a similar kind.
  • CPR (Mentioned in 9.79% Job Postings): Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) combines rescue breathing (mouth-to-mouth) and chest compressions to temporarily pump enough blood to the brain until specialized treatment is available.
  • Microsoft Office (Mentioned in 1.54% Job Postings): Microsoft Office is a suite of desktop productivity applications that is designed by Microsoft for business use. You can create documents containing text and images, work with data in spreadsheets and databases, create presentations and posters.
Skills Demand Percentage
Troubleshooting 2.74%
CPR 9.79%
Microsoft Office 1.54%

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 Operations Technician III's salary.

  • Bill of Materials: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • Initiative: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • Network Solutions: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Bill of Materials $98,082
11%
Initiative $97,198
10%
Network Solutions $97,198
10%

Network Operations Technician III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Network Operations Technician III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $98,647. While startup companies pay approximate $83,529.

Network Operations Technician III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $83,529
Growth Stage 51~500 $88,321
Established 501~5000 $95,251
Enterprise 5000+ $98,647

Network Operations Technician III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Network Operations Technician III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 45% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Internet and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Network Operations Technician positions in Retail & Wholesale or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Network Operations Technician III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Network Operations Technician III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Internet$106,034$51.020%
Pharmaceuticals$106,034$51.020%
Software & Networking$106,034$51.020%
Biotechnology$101,616$49.015%
Energy & Utilities$97,198$47.010%

How Education impacts a Network Operations Technician III's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Network Operations Technician III 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 Operations Technician III with a Bachelor's Degree is between $81,800 and $87,418.

Network Operations Technician III Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Network Operations Technician III
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.5%
High School 43.8%
Associates 27.3%
Bachelors 22.7%
Masters 4.6%
Doctorate 0.0%

Network Operations Technician III Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Network Operations Technician III'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 October 01, 2026
$80,051
Average $88,362/year
$99,408
$6,671
Average $7,364/month
$8,284
$1,539
Average $1,699/week
$1,912
$38
Average $42/hour
$48
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $99,408 $8,284 $1,912 $48
Average $88,362 $7,364 $1,699 $42
25th Percentile $80,051 $6,671 $1,539 $38

Network Operations Technician III Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Network Operations Technician III, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Network Control Center Supervisor role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $118,180 - a projected growth of 34% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Network Operations Technician III

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

Common company salaries for Network Operations Technician III

Here are companies hiring for Network Operations Technician III and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Network Operations Technician III

1. Where can a Network Operations Technician III earn the most?

A Network Operations Technician III'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 Operations Technician III earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Network Operations Technician III is $111,451.

2. What is the highest pay for Network Operations Technician III?

The highest pay for Network Operations Technician III is $109,465.

3. What is the lowest pay for Network Operations Technician III?

The lowest pay for Network Operations Technician III is $72,484.

4. What are the responsibilities of Network Operations Technician III?

Monitors and supports network operations within a Network Operations Center (NOC) to maintain the availability and performance of network systems. Monitors network systems, alarms, and dashboards to detect and respond to service issues. Performs first-level troubleshooting and resolution of network incidents. Escalates unresolved or complex issues to specialists and engineering teams. Documents incidents, actions taken, and resolutions in ticketing systems. Executes routine maintenance tasks and configuration changes as directed. Follows established procedures to ensure timely response and service restoration. May require an associate degree. Typically reports to a supervisor. Works independently within established procedures associated with the specific job function. Has gained proficiency in multiple competencies relevant to the job. Typically requires 3-5 years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Network Operations Technician III?

The Internet industry offers the highest average compensation for Network Operations Technician III 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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