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Australia
Network Engineer salary guide Australia 2026
The median Network Engineer salary in Australia is $121,000, with pay ranging from $70,000 at entry level to $151,000 for senior professionals.
Overview
What does a Network Engineer earn?
The median salary of Network Engineers in Australia is $121,000. Most roles fall within a typical range of $100,000–$151,000, though specialised capabilities in hybrid cloud or security architecture push earnings higher. Starting at $70,000 for entry-level positions, experienced Network Engineers holding advanced vendor certifications can command $151,000.
Optional — pick a state first
Median for Network Engineer, nationally across Australia.
10th $100,000
25th $121,000
50th (median) $151,000
75th $175,000
90th
Figures above update by state/city. For a full breakdown by seniority, see the table below.
Location
Network Engineer salary by city
Brisbane offers the highest Network Engineer salaries among Australia's major cities, with a median salary of $134,000. Close behind is Sydney at $125,000, where ongoing infrastructure investment keeps demand strong across enterprise teams.
What drives salary
Factors that affect Network Engineer pay
Your earning potential as a Network Engineer reflects your technical depth and how well you navigate complex infrastructure. When you're managing mission-critical systems, employers place significant value on modern security knowledge and vendor credentials.
Earning advanced credentials like Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) or Fortinet Certified Solution Specialist (FCSS) validates your capabilities and lifts your pay bracket. If you've achieved Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) status, employers recognise you as an elite technical specialist.
Organisations pay a premium for engineers who can modernise infrastructure using Zero Trust models and Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) frameworks. Integrating security directly into network architecture sets you apart from traditional routing specialists.
Supporting air-gapped systems or secure defence networks requires rigorous protocols and specialised security clearances. Because relatively few professionals meet these compliance thresholds, employers offer higher compensation to attract the right talent.
Bridging on-premises data centres with multi-cloud environments is critical for enterprise stability. Network Engineers who master cloud interconnects and software-defined networking command higher rates than those focused solely on physical hardware.
Experience in a Managed Service Provider (MSP) environment builds exceptional adaptability across diverse client networks. Pair that technical agility with clear stakeholder communication, and you're well positioned for higher-paying senior roles.
Comparison
How Network Engineers compare to related roles
A Network Engineer typically earns in line with a Systems Engineer, while DevOps Engineers command a modest premium reflecting their software engineering depth. Moving into a Solution Architect role yields significantly higher pay, matching the broader scope of enterprise systems architecture.
| Role | Range | Relative | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solution Architect | $148,000–$206,000 | $174,000 | |
| DevOps Engineer | $120,000–$174,000 | $145,000 | |
| Data Engineer | $110,000–$160,000 | $137,000 | |
| Network Engineer You are here | $100,000–$151,000 | $121,000 | |
| Systems Engineer | $91,000–$142,000 | $114,000 |
Employment Hero Job Data
Salary figures are derived from Employment Hero proprietary data. All figures represent base salary only and exclude bonuses, superannuation and other benefits. Last updated October 2026.
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