25 of the Highest Paying Network Engineer Jobs in 2026

The best Network Engineer jobs can pay up to $205,000 per year.

High Paying Network Engineer Jobs

• Firmware Engineer

  Salary range: $143,000 - $205,000

  The majority of Firmware Engineer salaries across the United States currently range between $143,000 (25th percentile) and $205,000 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the Firmware Engineer job market in the United States is very active, with many companies hiring.

• Infrastructure Software Engineer

  Salary range: $173,000 - $205,000

  The majority of Infrastructure Software Engineer salaries across the United States currently range between $173,000 (25th percentile) and $205,000 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the Infrastructure Software Engineer job market in the United States is somewhat active, with a few companies hiring.

• IT Infrastructure Consultant

  Salary range: $160,500 - $195,500

  The majority of IT Infrastructure Consultant salaries across the United States currently range between $160,500 (25th percentile) and $195,500 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the IT Infrastructure Consultant job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.

• Enterprise Cloud Architect

  Salary range: $125,500 - $192,500

  The majority of Enterprise Cloud Architect salaries across the United States currently range between $125,500 (25th percentile) and $192,500 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Enterprise Cloud Architect job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.

• Infrastructure Design Engineer

  Salary range: $166,000 - $166,000

  The majority of Infrastructure Design Engineer salaries across the United States currently range between $166,000 (25th percentile) and $166,000 (75th percentile) annually. Most people working in this role make similar salaries regardless of skill level, location and years of experience. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Infrastructure Design Engineer job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.

• Firmware Test Engineer

  Salary range: $89,500 - $159,000

  The majority of Firmware Test Engineer salaries across the United States currently range between $89,500 (25th percentile) and $159,000 (75th percentile) annually. This large range of salary potential suggests there may be many opportunities for advancement and increased pay depending on skill level, location and years of experience. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Firmware Test Engineer job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.

• Principal Network Engineer

  Salary range: $117,000 - $158,000

  As a principal network engineer, you are responsible for the daily operations of a computer system. Your responsibilities are to install, organize, and support systems for an organization. The systems you work with often aid a company in its communications, as with local area networks and wide area networks. Other duties include the installation of hardware, regular system maintenance, and optimization of network performance. You might also train individuals in the use of relevant software or hardware. In some cases, you might help with email and data storage.

• AWS Consultant

  Salary range: $101,000 - $145,000

  An AWS consultant focuses on helping customers with the technical aspects of the Amazon Web Services cloud computing offerings. These consulting partners use their knowledge and skills to help customers implement cloud computing solutions. Responsibilities may involve helping a company move data and networks to a cloud-based environment provided by Amazon. As an AWS consultant, job duties include designing and explaining AWS and cloud-based operations to a company’s management and employees.

• Senior Network Engineer

  Salary range: $104,000 - $142,500

  A senior network engineer builds and maintains data communication networks for a company or organization. As a senior network engineer, you have several years of industry experience and lead a team of junior network engineers and network administrators to ensure both the local area network (LAN) and wide area network (WAN) are functioning properly. Your job duties include installing software and hardware, creating a layout plan for cables, and troubleshooting and solving problems that arise with the networks for which you are responsible.

• Infrastructure Engineer

  Salary range: $107,500 - $141,000

  An infrastructure engineer ensures that their organization’s computer network infrastructure functions properly. As an infrastructure engineer, you monitor computer systems, improve IT applications, and troubleshoot infrastructure problems. Exact job responsibilities vary widely depending on the employer, but typical duties involve working with storage and hosting technologies, monitoring computer software and hardware, installing servers, and developing cloud-based infrastructure. Infrastructure engineer positions are available in all industries, especially those with a heavy reliance on technology. This career requires extensive experience working with computers and the ability to stay current with emerging technologies and trends.

• Cyber Reverse Engineer

  Salary range: $124,500 - $140,500

  A cyber reverse engineer examines malware and software by breaking it down to pure code to better understand the potential vulnerability of a software. You also work to find out how the malware affects existing security. A cyber reverse engineer's responsibilities revolve around the design of systems and applications and how those designs can create additional vulnerability or security for the company. You test software and document your findings as a researcher to create a more secure network overall and to help beat those who are creating malicious software. Your daily job duties are mainly reading and understanding code.

• DevOps Consultant

  Salary range: $101,000 - $140,000

  DevOps is a set of practices and frameworks that are meant to streamline the development of software and systems. A DevOps consultant helps companies use these practices and tools to make the development process more efficient and cost-effective. Your duties and responsibilities include assessing the current plans and practices of a company and suggesting changes or training employees in specific methods that can improve results. You may share your views and assessments with a DevOps engineer or project manager and help them with particular aspects of the development process. You often use specialized DevOps tools to increase efficiency.

• Splunk Developer

  Salary range: $110,500 - $138,000

  A Splunk developer uses the Splunk developer tools to design new software or business solutions. To fulfill their job duties, they must be familiar with all aspects of the Splunk tools, such as the extension for Visual Studio, Splunk data libraries, or plug-ins to code an application with Java or other programming languages easily. Qualifications for this career include a bachelor’s degree in computer science, work experience, and programming skills in languages supported by Splunk developer tools.

• Cisco Engineer

  Salary range: $108,000 - $138,000

  A Cisco engineer is an information technology (IT) professional who specializes in building computer networks for companies using the Cisco suite of products. As a Cisco engineer, your job responsibilities include developing and building new networks, providing technical support for users, monitoring the system for issues, and troubleshooting problems. Cisco engineers usually serve on a team of IT professionals and liaise with various departments to discern the current and future needs of the company. Your job is to ensure that the network is meeting, and will continue to meet, the needs of the business and its applications.

• Citrix Engineer

  Salary range: $87,000 - $136,500

  Citrix is a software company that develops and provides desktop and application virtualization, cloud computing, software as service, and server technology. As a Citrix engineer, your duties are to utilize Citrix products to build, deploy, monitor, and troubleshoot Citrix products for companies or organizations. Your responsibilities may also involve helping end users learn how to use company products or services, as well as testing, implementing, and maintaining products or extensions that will improve business efficiency.

• AWS Developer

  Salary range: $80,500 - $134,000

  An AWS developer works with programs or application software on the Amazon Web Services cloud-based platform. Their duties include writing code for applications that optimize the use of AWS services, such as data storage and content delivery. Developers often build in the mobile hub, where they can quickly configure features like user authentication and push notifications, and sell independently developed software they develop in the AWS Marketplace. For developers with proficient experience in AWS, there are multiple types of certification exams available.

• Wireless Network Engineer

  Salary range: $84,000 - $129,000

  As a wireless network engineer, your job is to install, configure, maintain, and troubleshoot the systems of a wireless computer network. In this role, you may offer technical support, help clients perform basic maintenance on their own, or design new networks while considering factors like geography, building materials, and expected usage. Wireless network engineers often help manage firewalls, train other engineers, and use tools to evaluate the performance of each part of the network. Fulfilling the duties and responsibilities of a wireless network engineer role requires excellent communication, research, and computer skills, as well as the ability to stay current with any qualifications required in this rapidly changing industry.

• Cisco Network Engineer

  Salary range: $91,500 - $127,500

  A Cisco network engineer oversees hardware and software used to run an organization’s data network using the Cisco suite of products. As a Cisco network engineer, your responsibilities and duties include developing and building new data networks, monitoring and troubleshooting the system for issues, and providing technical support for users. Cisco network engineers usually serve on a team of information technology professionals and coordinate with various departments to discern the current and future needs of the company regarding data networks. They analyze how the system is working to ensure it is meeting, and will continue to meet, the needs of the business.

• Compliance Engineer

  Salary range: $84,000 - $124,500

  A compliance engineer applies their specialized knowledge of compliance standards to a variety of manufacturing and production processes. As a compliance engineer, your job duties include assessing and analyzing existing production life cycles and identifying areas where a company can improve productivity, efficiency, or maintain compliance in their product design. You are also responsible for developing assessment tools and reporting findings to management. Qualifications for this career include a degree in a technical field such as engineering as well as several years of industry experience and excellent analytical problem-solving skills.

• Network Designer

  Salary range: $82,000 - $120,000

  A network designer creates computer systems and networks for businesses and organizations. As a network designer, your job duties include designing, developing, and maintaining a customized network interface that allows users to share information and access necessary software suites in an efficient, cost-effective, and secure way. You may also provide technical support and troubleshoot issues that arise.

• Relay Technician

  Salary range: $82,500 - $107,000

  A relay technician performs maintenance and repairs to relays in electrical power stations. As a relay technician, your duties involve repairing circuit breakers, replacing wires, testing different components, and calibrating generators. You ensure electricity gets routed through your station on its way to residential or commercial areas at the correct voltage. You also read electrical diagrams and schematics to learn where issues are and use the information to install new components.

• NOC Engineer

  Salary range: $60,000 - $103,500

  A NOC engineer, or network operations center engineer, is responsible for resolving issues with servers and networks through constant troubleshooting and support of those networks. As a NOC engineer, you ensure that connectivity remains constant for clients by working in the network management center, resolving any issue that may arise quickly and efficiently. You monitor and control any problems that arise and keep a database of past issues to help with quicker resolutions and software development over time. You solve problems for customers and your company servers using your in-depth knowledge of information technology, including an understanding of malware and security issues.

• Network Analyst

  Salary range: $66,000 - $100,000

  A network analyst installs, maintains, and troubleshoots the computer network systems for an organization. As a network analyst, your typical duties involve designing, developing, and evaluating network systems and related communications. You also provide technical support for all the components of the system, including both hardware and software.

• Data Communications Analyst

  Salary range: $82,500 - $87,500

  A data communications analyst updates and maintains a network system to keep information secure. They are sometimes called computer network architects. As a data communications analyst, you need to have detailed knowledge of networks and experience creating hardware and software systems for various types of businesses or organizations. Your job duties include designing, monitoring, maintaining, and testing both LANs (local area networks) and WANs (wide area networks). When working on a project, you often research costs, analyze risks, and find technologies available to increase production at the company.

• Junior Network Engineer

  Salary range: $51,500 - $77,000

  As a junior network engineer, your job is to manage connectivity and infrastructure in a company's network. This includes ensuring the company has internet access at all times, testing each new connection when you add hardware, and generally helping to maintain the network. This is a junior position, so you work under the direct supervision of a senior network engineer. Many people use this position to gain additional leadership and engineering skills, with the goal being a promotion to a senior engineering position. Despite not having leadership responsibilities, you may be asked to supervise a project from inception to completion.