Technology Chicago, IL Pop. 2,693,976

Network Engineer Salary in Chicago, Illinois

The median network engineer salary in Chicago, IL is $103,040 per year, which is 12.0% above the national median and 12.0% above the Illinois state average.

City Median
$103,040
vs State Avg
+$11,040
vs National
+$11,040
Cost of Living
107%

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

Chicago offers a median network engineer salary of $103,040, which is $11,040 above the Illinois state average of $92,000. Compared to the national median of $92,000, Chicago pays above average for this role.

Chicago's cost of living is 107% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for network engineers in Chicago spans from $62,720 at the 10th percentile to $162,400 at the 90th percentile — a $99,680 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $67,200, while senior network engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $154,560. As a major metro area with a population of 2,693,976, Chicago typically offers more job opportunities and employer competition, which can drive salaries higher.

Network Engineer Salary in Chicago by Experience

In Chicago, an entry-level network engineer earns around $67,200, while experienced professionals earn up to $154,560 per year. The local cost of living index is 107% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$67,200
+$7,200 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$105,280
+$11,280 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$154,560
+$16,560 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Chicago, IL

Percentile Chicago
10th Percentile $62,720
25th Percentile $82,880
Median (50th) $103,040
75th Percentile $132,160
90th Percentile $162,400

Network Engineer Salary in Other Illinois Cities

Naperville, IL
$103,960
Pop. 149,540
Aurora, IL
$92,000
Pop. 197,757
Springfield, IL
$82,800
Pop. 114,394
Rockford, IL
$80,040
Pop. 148,655

How to Become a Network Engineer in Chicago

Education

Most network engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. Chicago and the surrounding Illinois 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 Chicago may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Network Engineer Jobs in Chicago

Browse open network engineer positions in Chicago, IL:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Network Engineer Salary in Chicago

How much does a Network Engineer make in Chicago, IL? ▼
The median network engineer salary in Chicago, Illinois is $103,040 per year, which is 12.0% above the national median of $92,000. Salaries range from $62,720 (10th percentile) to $162,400 (90th percentile).
How much does a Network Engineer make per hour in Chicago? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $103,040, a network engineer in Chicago earns approximately $50 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Chicago compare to the Illinois state average for network engineer pay? ▼
Chicago's median network engineer salary of $103,040 is 12.0% above the Illinois state average of $92,000. The local cost of living index is 107% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Chicago, IL? ▼
Chicago has a cost of living index of 107% compared to the national average. This means a network engineer salary of $103,040 in Chicago has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a network engineer in Chicago? ▼
Most network engineer positions in Chicago 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.