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Network engineer salary: How it compares to the national full-time average

The ABS does not publish a specific figure for network engineers, but industry averages suggest the role pays well above the national full-time average of $108,352 a year.

This sits on the Australian full-time average.

Week, hour, and a tax sketch

$2,084 a week · $54.83 an hour if spread over 38 hours

About $83,159 after resident income tax and a 2% Medicare levy.

2026–27 resident rates and a 2% Medicare levy. Not a tax assessment.Open the full line

Where does a network engineer salary sit against the national average?

If you are a network engineer or considering the career, you probably want to know how your pay compares with the typical Australian full-time worker. The Australian Bureau of Statistics does not publish a specific "network engineer salary" figure, but we can use the data it does release to get a clear picture.

The national full-time adult ordinary-time average, as measured by the ABS in its Average Weekly Earnings survey for May 2026, is $2,083.70 a week, or about $108,352 a year when multiplied by 52. This is the line that Place a salary on the line uses as its benchmark. Network engineers typically earn above this line, but let us look at the evidence.

Industry averages for network engineers

Network engineers work across several industries. The most relevant are:

  • Information media & telecommunications: full-time adult ordinary-time average of $2,714.10 a week (about $141,133 a year)
  • Professional, scientific & technical services: $2,389.60 a week (about $124,259 a year)
  • Financial & insurance services: $2,341.30 a week (about $121,748 a year)

These are averages from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026. They include all full-time adults in those industries, not just network engineers, but they give a strong indication that the role pays above the national average. The Information media & telecommunications average is about 30% higher than the national line.

Occupation medians for Professionals

The ABS also publishes median earnings by occupation in its Employee earnings survey (August 2025). Network engineers are classified as Professionals, and the median weekly earnings for Professionals in their main job was $1,900 a week (about $98,800 a year). That is a median, meaning half of Professionals earn more and half earn less. The full-time median for all employees was $1,741 a week ($90,532 a year). So even the median for Professionals is above the all-employees median, and the average for network engineers is likely higher than the Professional median because of the industry mix.

What would move a network engineer salary above or below the average?

Several factors can push your pay up or down relative to the national line:

  • Experience and certifications: Senior engineers with Cisco CCIE or equivalent certifications can command significantly more. Entry-level roles may be closer to the Professional median.
  • Industry: As shown above, telecommunications and finance pay higher averages than, say, education or government. The public sector average for all employees was $2,263.10 a week, but that includes many roles; network engineers in government may earn less than in private telecoms.
  • Location: State averages vary. The States and territories page shows that Western Australia ($115,825 a year) and the Australian Capital Territory ($119,090) are above the national average, while Tasmania ($96,008) is below. A network engineer in Perth or Canberra is likely to earn more than one in Hobart.
  • Sector: Private sector full-time ordinary-time average was $2,034.10 a week, public sector $2,263.10. However, this is an overall average; network engineers in private telecoms may earn more than those in public administration.

How the national average is set

The ABS calculates Average Weekly Earnings twice a year, for May and November. The figure used on this site is the seasonally adjusted full-time adult ordinary-time earnings for persons: $2,083.70 a week in May 2026. This is not a median; it is an average that can be affected by changes in the mix of jobs. For a deeper look, see How the figures are set.

Tax and take-home pay

If a network engineer earns $120,000 a year (above the national average), the 2026–27 tax rates apply: nil on the first $18,200, 15% on the next $26,800 (to $45,000), 30% on the next $90,000 (to $135,000), plus the 2% Medicare levy. That means a marginal rate of 32% on income between $45,000 and $135,000. The tax-free threshold and progressive rates mean take-home pay is still strong.

The minimum wage floor

Fair Work sets the national minimum wage. From 1 July 2026, it is $26.44 an hour, or $1,004.90 a week for a 38-hour week (about $52,255 a year). Award minimums rose by 4.75%. Any network engineer salary is well above this floor, but it is a useful benchmark for the lowest legal pay.

Summary

While there is no single "network engineer salary" published by the ABS, the available industry and occupation data strongly suggest that network engineers earn above the national full-time average of $108,352 a year. The Information media & telecommunications industry average of $141,133 is a good reference point, though individual pay varies. Use the Industry medians page to compare other fields, or Job medians to see how your role stacks up against other occupations.

Ultimately, your network engineer salary will depend on your skills, employer, and location. But you can be confident that it sits above the line.

Questions

What is the average salary for a network engineer in Australia?

The Australian Bureau of Statistics does not publish a separate average for network engineers. However, network engineers typically fall under the Information media & telecommunications industry, where the full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings were $2,714.10 in May 2026 (about $141,133 a year). They also appear in Professional, scientific & technical services, where the average was $2,389.60 a week (about $124,259 a year). These are averages, not medians, and actual pay depends on experience, location, and employer.

How does a network engineer salary compare to the national average?

Based on the industry averages above, a network engineer salary is likely above the national full-time adult ordinary-time average of $2,083.70 a week ($108,352 a year) reported by the ABS in May 2026. The full-time median earnings for all employees were $1,741 a week ($90,532 a year) in August 2025, and the median for Professionals (which includes many network engineers) was $1,900 a week ($98,800 a year). So network engineers typically earn more than the typical full-time worker.

What factors can push a network engineer salary above or below the average?

Experience, certifications (e.g., CCNP, CCIE), and the specific industry matter most. Working in mining or finance often pays more than in education or government. Location also plays a role: the Australian Capital Territory had the highest median weekly earnings ($1,600) in August 2025, while Tasmania and South Australia had the lowest ($1,300). Public sector roles tend to have higher average weekly earnings ($2,263.10) than private ($2,034.10) according to the ABS. Finally, the national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 an hour, so any network engineer earning above that is well above the legal floor.

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