2027 Network Engineering Tech Salary Guide

Motion Recruitment's 2027 Tech Salary Guide provides key insights into the network engineering job market in the U.S., including salary data for over 100 job titles. Before starting your job search or hiring in data engineering, it's essential to understand the current landscape for network engineering professionals.

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IT Salaries and Tech Market Insights for Network Engineering Workers in 2027

Motion’s 2027 IT Salary Guide provides the information needed to navigate your network engineering job search or hiring plans.

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Map Out Your 2027 Strategy for the Network Engineering Hiring Market

with Expert Insights & Salary Data

Motion Recruitment's 2027 Network Engineering Tech Salary Guide helps network professionals and hiring leaders see how automation, AI infrastructure and security are shaping pay and demand, with salary data for more than 100 top tech roles.


Network hiring is splitting into two directions. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment for computer network architects to grow 8% from 2025 to 2035, citing cloud computing and companies upgrading IT infrastructure for AI. It projects network and computer systems administrators to decline 4% over the same period, as DevOps-focused software developers take on some of their tasks, some work moves to Network-as-a-Service providers and routine work is automated.

 

Pay follows the same split. Foote Partners' 2026 IT Skills and Certifications Pay Index finds that network architecture earns an average cash premium equal to 20% of base salary, more than double the roughly 9% average for noncertified IT skills.

4.2%

year-over-year salary increase

Senior level network engineer salaries increased by 4.2%, double the national average for tech workers. 

$121K

average compensation for a network engineer

The base level salary for a network engineer in the United States is $121,672. 

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Tech Companies Seek Network Engineers Who Design Secure, Automated Networks

Routine administration is being automated, so employers look for engineers who design networks, script deployments and plan for AI workloads. In Foote Partners' data, the Cisco CCDE network design certification carries an 11% pay premium and its market value rose 50%, a sign of the shortage of senior design talent. 40% of organizations are understaffed in cybersecurity, according to the Linux Foundation's 2026 report, which makes security skills a strong pairing.

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Q: What Advice Would You Give Tech Job Seekers and Hiring Managers in 2027?

From Jame Vallone, President of Motion Recruitment

 “Tech leaders who plan for AI as a redesign of how work gets done, not just a shortcut to a smaller team, will build the strongest organizations in 2027. The same goes for candidates. Employers want people who can supervise, verify, and improve what AI produces, and who can show real examples of their work. Pair that with training and a clear path for early-career talent, and you have a team that is ready for what comes next.”

What will I find in Motion's IT Salary Guide?

What tech job data and trends are covered in the Guide?
  • The state of tech employment in 2027, with the impact of layoffs, economic conditions, and the increase in IT job creation in non-tech companies.
  • The continuing impact of artificial intelligence on the job market, including the full cycle of the AI economy, the need for rehiring after the failure of AI gains, and a lack of ROI for AI projects.

  • Tech hiring and workplace trends, including the pessimism in the tech workforce and the disconnect between workers and management on topics like AI usage and RTO practices.

  • Advice from market experts on what you can do to succeed in 2027.
What valuable insights into IT salary data can I discover?
  • You will find starting salaries for mid and senior level ranges for over 100 specific job titles across technology areas. There are also city-specific variances included, which you can use to measure the regional salary ranges per tech job.

  • You will see IT salaries for top roles from the most in-demand technology areas: Software, Data & AI, Security, Infrastructure & DevOps, Mobile, Functional, Product & UX and Executive.

 

Network Engineer Salary Demand and Supply Market Insights

Previous Salary Guides

Tech Salary Guide
North America 2026

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Tech Hiring Market
Midyear Update 2025

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Tech Salary Guide
North America 2025

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good salary in network engineering?

Compensation for network engineering professionals varies based on specialization and seniority. Nationally, the projected network engineer salary for mid-level roles in 2027 ranges from $100,581 to $109,930, while senior-level positions earn between $123,824 and $152,353.

At this moment in the tech industry, specialized roles often command higher premiums. For example, mid-level Network Security Engineers are projected to earn between $124,730 and $152,615, with senior-level professionals earning from $157,630 to $201,500. Additionally, Network Architects see higher projections, with senior-level salaries ranging from $157,752 to $210,400. These figures reflect the expanding viability of secure, scalable infrastructure within the evolving landscape of digital transformation. 

Which network engineering job has the highest salary?

 Within the networking domain, the Network Architect role commands the highest compensation. Nationally, the salary range for a Network Architect is $157,752–$210,400.

In comparison, other specialized roles see different benchmarks for network engineer salary levels. Network Security Engineers earn between $124,730–$152,615 at the mid-level and $157,630–$201,500 at the senior level. Standard Network Engineer roles range from $100,581–$109,930 for mid-level professionals and $123,824–$152,353 for senior-level staff. Network Administrators earn between $83,333–$96,223 at the mid-level and $103,125–$125,768 at the senior level.

What is the salary for a 5-year experienced network engineering?

Compensation for network engineering professionals varies based on experience and technical expertise. Nationally, the network engineer salary for mid-level professionals is projected to range from $100,581 to $109,930 in 2027.

In fact, those in senior-level positions can expect a salary range between $123,824 and $152,353. While these figures provide a baseline for the network engineer salary, total compensation often depends on the specific technological stack and organizational requirements. 

Is Network Engineer a high paying job?

At this moment in the tech industry, network engineering remains a lucrative career path with significant impact on digital infrastructure. Nationally, a mid-level network engineer salary ranges from $100,581 to $109,930, while senior-level professionals earn between $123,824 and $152,353.

Specialized roles within the field offer expanding viability for higher compensation. In fact, mid-level Network Security Engineers earn between $124,730 and $152,615, and senior-level roles earn from $157,630 to $201,500. Additionally, Network Architects command a range of $157,752 to $210,400—reflecting the industry's demand for scalability and complex architectural design.