As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Cisco Engineer in San Jose, CA is $148,451 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $71.
However, a Cisco Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A Cisco 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, skills and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Cisco 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 Cisco Engineer | $102,286 |
| Network E... Level Cisco Engineer | $122,031 |
| Cisco Eng... Level Cisco Engineer | $147,621 |
| Network E... Level Cisco Engineer | $173,486 |
| Network E... Level Cisco Engineer | $198,632 |
What Am I Worth?
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Networking | 8.34% |
| Computer Science | 2.67% |
| Telecommunications | 1.77% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Innovation
|
$154,389 |
4%
|
|
Flexibility
|
$152,905 |
3%
|
|
OSPF
|
$152,905 |
3%
|
|
AWS
|
$152,905 |
3%
|
|
Presentation
|
$152,905 |
3%
|
|
Network Design
|
$151,420 |
2%
|
For Cisco Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 130% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Internet sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Cisco Engineer positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Cisco Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software & Networking | $222,677 | $107.0 | 50% |
| Internet | $207,832 | $100.0 | 40% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $200,409 | $96.0 | 35% |
| Financial Services | $192,987 | $93.0 | 30% |
| Biotechnology | $185,564 | $89.0 | 25% |
Understanding how a Cisco 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.
Last Updated on July 01, 2026Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Cisco Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
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