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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Lead Network Engineer in Illinois is $157,505 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $76.
However, a Lead Network Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Lead Network Engineer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $168,217 | $14,018 | $3,235 | $81 |
| Average | $157,505 | $13,125 | $3,029 | $76 |
| 25th Percentile | $146,122 | $12,177 | $2,810 | $70 |
NET56 - Barrington, IL
NEO NETWORK DEVELOPMENT INC - Naperville, IL
NPO USA - Chicago, IL
2Bridge Partners - Chicago, IL
A Lead Network Engineer'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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Lead Network Engineer'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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Network E... Level Lead Network Engineer | $116,470 |
| Network E... Level Lead Network Engineer | $136,879 |
| Lead Netw... Level Lead Network Engineer | $156,718 |
| Network E... Level Lead Network Engineer | $196,082 |
| Network E... Level Lead Network Engineer | $123,513 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Lead Network Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
For Lead Network Engineer 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, Lead Network Engineer positions in Retail & Wholesale or MFG Durable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Lead Network Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace & Defense | $189,006 | $91.0 | 20% |
| Financial Services | $189,006 | $91.0 | 20% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $189,006 | $91.0 | 20% |
| Software & Networking | $189,006 | $91.0 | 20% |
| Telecom | $189,006 | $91.0 | 20% |
Understanding how a Lead Network Engineer'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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $168,217 | $14,018 | $3,235 | $81 |
| Average | $157,505 | $13,125 | $3,029 | $76 |
| 25th Percentile | $146,122 | $12,177 | $2,810 | $70 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Lead Network Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Littelfuse
Chicago, IL
Littelfuse | Chicago, IL
Littelfuse (NASDAQ: LFUS) is a diversified industrial technology manufacturing company shaping solutions for the safe and efficient transfer of electrical ... more
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Fastly
Chicago, IL
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What You'll DoBuild, operate, and maintain the continually growing global network footprint of Fastly's Edge Cloud Platform.Response to significant traffic... more
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Sentinel Technologies
Downers Grove, IL
Sentinel Technologies | Downers Grove, IL
A leading IT services provider is seeking a Network Support Engineer to support a key account in Plano, Texas.This remote role requires expertise in Cisco ... more
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GuidePoint Security
Chicago, IL
GuidePoint Security | Chicago, IL
Network Security Engineer (NAC) - North Central (Remote in the U.S.) Join to apply for the Network Security Engineer (NAC) - North Central (Remote in the U... more
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KonnectIT
Chicago, IL
KonnectIT | Chicago, IL
Job Description. Job Description. We are seeking a Senior Network Security Engineer with deep expertise in Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) and identit... more
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Littelfuse
Chicago, IL
Littelfuse | Chicago, IL
Littelfuse is seeking a Senior Network Engineer to design, implement, and support a global enterprise network across 100+ locations. You will partner with ... more
11 Days Ago
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