Technology Columbus, GA Pop. 206,922

Network Engineer Salary in Columbus, Georgia

The median network engineer salary in Columbus, GA is $81,880 per year, which is 11% below the national median and 7.3% below the Georgia state average.

City Median
$81,880
vs State Avg
$-6,440
vs National
$-10,120
Cost of Living
86%

Network Engineer Pay in Columbus: What to Expect (2026)

Columbus offers a median network engineer salary of $81,880, which is $6,440 below the Georgia state average of $88,320. Compared to the national median of $92,000, Columbus pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Columbus's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 86% of the national average. This means the $81,880 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $95,209 in an average-cost city. This makes Columbus an attractive option for network engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for network engineers in Columbus spans from $49,840 at the 10th percentile to $129,050 at the 90th percentile — a $79,210 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $53,400, while senior network engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $122,820. With a population of 206,922, Columbus is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Network Engineer Salary in Columbus by Experience

In Columbus, an entry-level network engineer earns around $53,400, while experienced professionals earn up to $122,820 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$53,400
$-6,600 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$83,660
$-10,340 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$122,820
$-15,180 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Columbus, GA

Percentile Columbus
10th Percentile $49,840
25th Percentile $65,860
Median (50th) $81,880
75th Percentile $105,020
90th Percentile $129,050

Network Engineer Salary in Other Georgia Cities

Atlanta, GA
$96,600
Pop. 498,715
Savannah, GA
$87,400
Pop. 147,780
Athens, GA
$85,560
Pop. 127,064
Augusta, GA
$83,720
Pop. 202,081

How to Become a Network Engineer in Columbus

Education

Most network engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. Columbus and the surrounding Georgia area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

CiscoTCP/IPFirewallsVPNNetwork MonitoringCCNA/CCNP

Job Outlook

Nationally, network engineer employment is projected to grow 5% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Columbus may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Network Engineer Jobs in Columbus

Browse open network engineer positions in Columbus, GA:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Network Engineer Salary in Columbus

How much does a Network Engineer make in Columbus, GA? ▼
The median network engineer salary in Columbus, Georgia is $81,880 per year, which is 11% below the national median of $92,000. Salaries range from $49,840 (10th percentile) to $129,050 (90th percentile).
How much does a Network Engineer make per hour in Columbus? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $81,880, a network engineer in Columbus earns approximately $39 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Columbus compare to the Georgia state average for network engineer pay? ▼
Columbus's median network engineer salary of $81,880 is 7.3% below the Georgia state average of $88,320. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Columbus, GA? ▼
Columbus has a cost of living index of 86% compared to the national average. This means a network engineer salary of $81,880 in Columbus has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a network engineer in Columbus? ▼
Most network engineer positions in Columbus require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Cisco, TCP/IP, Firewalls, VPN. The job market is projected to grow 5% nationally over the next decade.