Network Operator Salary in the United States

How much does a Network Operator make in the United States?

As of April 01, 2026, the average salary for a Network Operator in the United States is $107,440 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $52.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $127,909
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $98,585 to $118,154
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $90,523
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View as table View as graph 25% $98,585 10% $90,523 90% $127,909 75% $118,154 $107,440 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Network Operator Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $118,154 $9,846 $2,272 $57
Average $107,440 $8,953 $2,066 $52
25th Percentile $98,585 $8,215 $1,896 $47
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Key Factors That Influence Network Operator Salaries

A Network Operator'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 Operator Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Network Operator'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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $71,353
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $88,893
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $106,652
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $122,162
  • Expert (over 8 years): $142,392
Levels Salary
Network A... Level Network Operator$71,353
Network A... Level Network Operator$88,893
Network O... Level Network Operator$106,652
Network A... Level Network Operator$122,162
Network A... Level Network Operator$142,392
$71,353 0 yr
$88,893 < 2 yrs
$106,652 2-4 yrs
$122,162 5-8 yrs
$142,392 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Network Operators

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: $135,514
  • San Francisco: $134,182
  • Oakland: $131,206

What Skills Can Increase a Network Operator's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Troubleshooting (Mentioned in 6.65% 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.
  • VMware (Mentioned in 3.01% Job Postings): Applying the VMware software to develop multiple virtual computer systems within a single server.
  • Computer Engineering (Mentioned in 2.13% Job Postings): Computer engineering is a branch of electrical engineering that integrates several fields of computer science and electronic engineering required to develop computer hardware and software.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Troubleshooting 6.65%
VMware 3.01%
Computer Engineering 2.13%
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 Operator's salary.
  • Collaboration: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
  • Azure: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
  • Insight: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Collaboration
$110,663
3%
Azure
$110,663
3%
Insight
$110,663
3%
Leadership
$110,663
3%
Business Acumen
$110,663
3%
Analysis
$109,589
2%
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How Education impacts a Network Operator's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Network Operators enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Network Operator with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $104,784 and $110,383).

Network Operator Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Network Operator
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.8%
High School 25.4%
Associates 20.7%
Bachelors 44.9%
Masters 7.8%
Doctorate 0.4%
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Network Operator Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Network Operator'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 April 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Network Operator

Salaries for a Network Operator can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $102,477 in 2023 to around $100,409 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Network Operator salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Network Operator Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$102,477
2024
$102,386
2025
$100,409
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $102,477
2024 $102,386
2025 $100,409
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Network Operator

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Network Operator

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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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