31 Honest Network Security Engineer Salaries

With cyber threats growing more sophisticated every year, companies need more than just strong firewalls—they need skilled network security engineers who can build, monitor, and defend their systems from constant attacks.

But while demand is high, network security engineer salaries can vary widely depending on location, experience, certifications, and even industry. In this article, we’ll break down what a network security engineer does, how much they earn in different U.S. cities, and what factors influence those numbers, from cloud skills to security clearances. Let’s start with what the role actually involves.

What is a Network Security Engineer?

A network security engineer is responsible for protecting an organization’s computer network from cyber threats, whether it’s an external attacker trying to breach a firewall or an insider accidentally exposing sensitive data. Think of them as the gatekeepers of your company’s digital front door.

Their day-to-day tasks often include configuring firewalls and VPNs, monitoring traffic for suspicious activity, responding to incidents, and ensuring systems align with security policies and compliance standards. Depending on the organization's size, they may also conduct vulnerability assessments, implement intrusion detection systems, or design entire network security architectures from scratch.

To succeed in this role, engineers need a strong understanding of network protocols, firewalls, intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS), and encryption methods. Familiarity with SIEM tools, scripting for automation, and cloud security platforms is increasingly essential.

Common job titles you might see include:

• Network Security Engineer

• Information Security Engineer

• Cybersecurity Engineer

• Security Analyst (Network Focus)

• Infrastructure Security Engineer

31 Honest Salaries for Network Security Engineers

When it comes to salaries, job listings often give wide ranges or skip the numbers altogether. That makes it challenging to determine what constitutes a 'good' salary. Nationwide, network security engineers earn an average annual salary of around $125,000. However, location, skills, and experience can all impact what you'll actually earn. 

That’s why we pulled together real salary data to give you a clearer picture of what network security engineers actually earn across the U.S. We gathered data from sources like Glassdoor, Payscale, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, then averaged the ranges to create a snapshot of low, average, and high-end salaries in 31 different cities. These numbers reflect full-time roles and exclude contractor rates or niche, ultra-high-paying federal gigs that would skew the data.

The data makes one thing clear: network security engineers are well-compensated across the board, but where you live can make a big difference. Here are a few other trends we noticed in the data: 

• Location Matters A Lot: Unsurprisingly, tech hubs like San Francisco, New York, and Seattle top the charts, with high-end salaries reaching $175,000 and beyond. These cities also have the highest cost of living, so the pay boost often goes hand-in-hand with higher expenses.

• Mid-Sized Cities Can Be Lucrative: Places like Austin, Denver, and Charlotte offer six-figure average salaries without the high cost of living associated with the Bay Area. These are great markets for engineers who want strong compensation with more affordable living.

• Smaller Markets Still Offer Solid Pay: Even in cities like Cleveland, St. Louis, and Indianapolis, average salaries range from $95,000 to $100,000, with high-end roles reaching the $130,000s. For engineers early in their careers or looking to relocate, these markets can offer a solid balance of salary and lifestyle.

• Salary Ranges Swing Widely: Some cities, such as Boston or Washington, DC, exhibit a wide spread between low- and high-end salaries, indicating a more diverse mix of entry-level and senior roles. Others, like Orlando or San Antonio, have narrower ranges, which could reflect less demand or more uniform role expectations.

Overall, regardless of your location, network security is a strong career path with upward mobility, especially if you're willing to upskill, specialize, or relocate.

Salary Considerations for Network Security Engineers

When it comes to how much you can earn as a network security engineer, several key factors influence your take-home pay. Here’s a closer look at what matters most:

Cloud Security Skills

As more organizations move to the cloud, engineers with experience in AWS, Azure, or hybrid cloud environments are seeing a pay bump. Employers are actively looking for professionals who can secure cloud-native applications and infrastructure, especially those who understand shared responsibility models, cloud IAM policies, and container security.

Industry

Highly regulated industries, such as financial services, defense, and healthcare, tend to offer higher salaries due to the need for robust compliance, stricter access controls, and ongoing audits. These sectors often value deep security expertise and are willing to pay for it.

Clearance and Compliance

If you have a federal security clearance or experience working under frameworks like NIST, HIPAA, or PCI-DSS, you’ll likely command a higher salary. These credentials demonstrate not only technical skills but also trustworthiness and an understanding of regulatory environments. Jobs that require clearances often come with less competition and more compensation.

How Experience Impacts Salary

Like most IT roles, experience plays a big role in salary growth for network security engineers. As your skills grow, so does your paycheck—especially if you’re taking on leadership duties, building architecture, or handling compliance. Here's a general idea of how income grows alongside experience. 

Entry-Level (0–2 Years)

Typical range: $70,000–$90,000

Early-career network security engineers typically support more senior team members and handle tasks such as basic firewall configurations, monitoring alerts, assisting with patch management, and supporting incident response teams. Employers often expect foundational knowledge of networking and security tools, but provide on-the-job training and mentorship.

Mid-Level (3–5 Years)

Typical range: $95,000–$120,000

At this stage, engineers are expected to work more independently, owning projects like security policy implementation, conducting risk assessments, and managing remediation efforts. You might also be tasked with tuning IDS/IPS systems, working with SIEM platforms, and collaborating with cloud and networking teams.

Senior-Level (6+ Years)

Typical range: $120,000–$150,000+

Senior engineers are often the go-to experts for designing secure infrastructure, leading security audits, mentoring junior staff, and shaping long-term security strategies. Roles at this level include additional responsibilities such as managing vendors, collaborating with compliance teams, or transitioning into a security architect or SOC leadership position.

Must-Know Tools for Network Security Engineers

If you want to stand out as a network security engineer—or just do your job effectively—you need to be comfortable with a wide range of tools. From firewall configuration to real-time traffic analysis, these platforms enable engineers to detect threats, respond to incidents, and maintain secure infrastructure.

While the exact stack you'll need to know will vary by employer, this list covers most of the tools you'll need to be familiar with. 

Firewalls: Cisco ASA, Palo Alto, Fortinet

These are the backbone of network defense. Firewalls control incoming and outgoing traffic based on security rules, and a deep understanding of how to configure and troubleshoot them is essential.

Monitoring: Wireshark, Snort, Suricata

These tools help analyze network traffic and detect suspicious behavior. Wireshark is widely used for packet capture and analysis, while Snort and Suricata are intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS).

SIEM: Splunk, QRadar, LogRhythm

Security information and event management (SIEM) tools aggregate and analyze logs from across the network. They’re key for spotting anomalies, correlating events, and supporting incident response.

VPN/Remote Access: Cisco AnyConnect, OpenVPN

Secure remote access is a must for today’s hybrid workforce. Engineers must configure and maintain VPN solutions that protect sensitive traffic without slowing down users.

Cloud: AWS Security Hub, Azure Defender

Cloud-native security tools offer centralized visibility and threat detection in AWS or Azure environments, enabling engineers to maintain compliance and security within their cloud infrastructure.

Network Tools: Nmap, Nessus, SolarWinds

From scanning for open ports to identifying vulnerabilities and monitoring performance, these tools provide engineers with the insights needed to maintain secure and efficient networks.

Must-Have Certifications for Network Security Engineers

Certifications are often required for job eligibility, especially in government or compliance-heavy industries. They also signal to employers that you have validated, hands-on knowledge of key security concepts and tools.

Here are some of the most valuable certifications for network security engineers:

• Cisco Certified Network Security Certifications (e.g., CCNP Security): Focuses on securing Cisco-based environments, including VPNs, firewalls, and network access control. A must-have if you're working with Cisco gear.

• CompTIA Security+: A great starting point that covers the basics of network security, risk management, and compliance. It's often a requirement for entry-level roles and DoD positions.

• Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH): Teaches how to think like an attacker to defend networks better. This certification is popular with engineers who want to expand into penetration testing or red teaming.

• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP): A high-level certification focused on security leadership, architecture, and governance. It's ideal for senior engineers or those looking to move into architect roles.

• Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Engineer (PCNSE): Validates expertise in deploying and managing Palo Alto firewalls and next-gen security tools.

Ready to level up your networking engineer career? Check out our Certification Path to Senior Network Security Engineers. 

How to Increase Your Salary as a Network Security Engineer

Want to move up the salary ladder as a network security engineer? Whether you're early in your career or aiming for a senior role, here are some proven ways to boost your earning potential.

Specialize in Cloud Security or Threat Detection

Cloud-native environments and advanced threat detection tools are hot right now. Engineers who can secure hybrid cloud deployments or leverage next-gen detection systems (like UEBA or SOAR platforms) are in especially high demand.

Earn Advanced Certifications

Cybersecurity certifications, such as CISSP, CCNP Security, or vendor-specific certifications (e.g., PCNSE), can help unlock higher-paying roles. These certs signal both deep technical knowledge and a commitment to professional development.

Take On Compliance and Audit Responsibilities

Security isn’t just about firewalls and alerts. Understanding regulatory frameworks and leading internal or external audits (like HIPAA, PCI-DSS, or FedRAMP) can position you for higher-compensation roles, especially in industries with tight compliance requirements.

Learn Scripting and Automation

Knowing how to automate repetitive security tasks with Python, Bash, or PowerShell makes you more efficient and valuable. It also opens the door to roles that intersect with DevSecOps or incident response automation.

Aim for Architecture or Leadership Roles

Transitioning into a security architect or SOC leadership position can lead to salaries of six figures and beyond. These roles often come with more strategic influence and higher expectations, but also higher pay.

Conclusion

Network security engineers are among the most in-demand professionals in IT, and their salaries reflect this demand. With average earnings well into six figures and top-tier roles reaching $150K or more, this career path offers both stability and upward mobility.

Of course, how much you earn depends on several key factors: your experience, certifications, the industry you work in, and whether you bring high-value skills, such as cloud security or compliance expertise, to the table. For networking security engineers, staying current with emerging tools and technologies isn’t just smart—it’s essential.

Want to earn more as a network security engineer? Explore CBT Nuggets’ cybersecurity training to start developing the hands-on experience employers are seeking.