Network Security Engineer Salary Guide

Key takeaways

Network security engineer salaries vary based on experience, education, industry, and location.

• These cybersecurity professionals are in high demand, with about 16,000 new job openings each year between 2024 and 2034 [1].

• Network security engineers are responsible for designing and implementing an organization’s security systems and protecting it from cyberattacks.

• You can earn a higher network security engineer salary by pursuing a degree or certification, or by building experience and skills in the field.

Learn more about what a network security engineer does and what factors contribute to higher salaries for network security engineers. If you’re ready to start preparing for a career in cybersecurity, consider the IBM Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate. In this 14-course series, you can build skills for an entry-level role as a cybersecurity analyst and prep for the CompTIA Security+ certification exam. Upon completion, you’ll earn a shareable certificate to display on your resume or LinkedIn profile.

What do network security engineers do?

Network security engineers are in charge of an organization’s security systems. They design and implement systems and protect organizations from cyberattacks, malware, and viruses. Oftentimes, they’ll also help enhance protection from physical security attacks and any natural disasters. Tasks include:

• Maintaining computer systems

• Writing security reports

• Encrypting data

• Implementing firewalls 

Read more: How to Get into Cybersecurity

Network security engineer salary

This cybersecurity career is in high demand, with approximately 16,000 new job openings each year between 2024 and 2034 [1]. With the right experience, skills, and education, you can find ample opportunities available in this field, many of which come with high salaries. According to various job websites, the salary for a network security engineer in the US ranges from $88,322 to $165,000. Here is a breakdown of the salaries, according to data sourced in March 2026 [2, 3, 4, 5]:

*Glassdoor salary information represents median total pay as of March 2026. This includes base salary and additional pay, which may represent profit-sharing, commissions, bonuses, or other compensation.

What factors impact the average salary for a network security engineer?

A network security engineer’s salary varies according to a number of factors. The salary you can expect increases with your education level and your amount of experience. Other factors include your geographical location, industry, and even the company that employs you. Let’s take a more detailed look.

Education

Employers seeking network security engineers require at least a bachelor’s degree with a relevant major, such as electrical engineering, information systems, or computer science. However, it is possible for you to enter the field with less.

According to Zippia, 65.8 percent of network security engineers have a bachelor’s degree, 15.1 percent hold an associate, and 14.7 percent have their master’s degree [6]. Here is a breakdown of how education can affect salaries [7]:

• Associate degree: $86,809

• Bachelor’s degree: $95,474

• Master’s degree: $98,787

Certification

Earning network security engineer certifications can help increase your chances of gaining senior-level positions and a higher salary. Certifications show employers that you’re trained and dedicated to learning more about the field. Some examples of certifications to consider include:

• CCNP Service Provider (CCNP)

• Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)

• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

• EC-Council Certified Security Specialist (ECSS)

Earning your CCNP can have a significant impact on salary as it helps to secure senior positions and increase your average salary from $88,322 to $106,892, according to Zippia [8]. 

Experience

Experience is important to secure a high-paying salary. As you gain experience and skills, you may have the opportunity to advance into more senior-level positions.

With a degree, gaining a role as a network security engineer might be possible after graduating. However, some people may start as a network engineer or network administrator before moving up to a network security engineer position. According to Payscale, as you gain more years of experience as a network security engineer, your salary may increase as listed below [4]:

Location

Geographical location is a factor that can influence your salary. Different areas, states, and cities have varying salaries; some are significantly higher than others. It’s helpful to check these details before settling on a work location if you are considering relocating.

If you live in a location with a high cost of living, you’ll require a higher salary than you would in a location with a lower cost of living to afford the same lifestyle.

Cities with higher network security engineer salaries

According to Zippia, you can find the top five cities paying the highest average annual salary below [3]:

1. San Francisco, CA: $117,685

2. Seattle, WA: $95,111

3. Columbia, MD: $91,726

4. Washington, DC: $91,112

5. New York, NY: $90,533

States with higher network security engineer salaries

According to Zippia, you can find the top five states paying the highest average annual salary below [3]:

1. Washington: $94,431

2. West Virginia: $96,569

3. Arizona: $87,538

4. New Jersey: $90,432

5. New York: $90,150

Industry

Network security engineers can work anywhere with a computer network. Some common industries include information technology, finance, insurance, management, business, and more.

Some high-paying industries for network security engineers, according to Zippia, are [3]:

1. Retail: $95,160

2. Professional: $87,774

3. Finance: $87,256

4. Technology: $87,130

How long does it take to become a network security engineer?

It can take four to six years or more, depending on how much higher education you pursue, including the time you dedicate to on-the-job experience and earning professional certifications. The first step in becoming a network security engineer is typically obtaining a bachelor’s degree, which takes approximately four years to complete. From there, you may opt to advance to a master’s degree to stand out against other candidates, which may take an additional one to two years to obtain.

Job titles similar to network security engineer

You can find several roles similar to a network security engineer, giving you more choices when job hunting. Some titles pay more than others, and you can use your network security engineer skills to be promoted to more senior roles. 

Some examples of jobs similar to a network security engineer and their median annual US salaries include:

• Software engineer: $149,000

• Systems engineer: $149,000

• Software developer: $122,000

• Senior software engineer: $203,000

• Senior network systems engineer: $171,000

• Security engineer: $169,000

• Security architect: $228,000

• Network architect: $170,000

• Network engineer: $123,000

*All salary information represents the median total pay from Glassdoor as of March 2026. These figures include base salary and additional pay, which may include profit sharing, commissions, bonuses, or other compensation.

Explore our free cybersecurity resources

Subscribe to Career Chat on LinkedIn to get timely updates on popular skills, tools, and certifications. Then check out our other free resources:

• Watch on YouTube: No Degree? How to Start a Career in Cybersecurity

• Explore careers: Cybersecurity Career Progression: Job Levels & Skills to Advance

• Bookmark this helpful glossary: Cybersecurity Glossary: Key Terms & Definitions

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