Technology Rockford, IL Pop. 148,655

Network Engineer Salary in Rockford, Illinois

The median network engineer salary in Rockford, IL is $80,040 per year, which is 13% below the national median and 13% below the Illinois state average.

City Median
$80,040
vs State Avg
$-11,960
vs National
$-11,960
Cost of Living
82%

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

Rockford offers a median network engineer salary of $80,040, which is $11,960 below the Illinois state average of $92,000. Compared to the national median of $92,000, Rockford pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Rockford's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 82% of the national average. This means the $80,040 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $97,610 in an average-cost city. This makes Rockford an attractive option for network engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for network engineers in Rockford spans from $48,720 at the 10th percentile to $126,150 at the 90th percentile — a $77,430 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $52,200, while senior network engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $120,060. With a population of 148,655, Rockford is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Network Engineer Salary in Rockford by Experience

In Rockford, an entry-level network engineer earns around $52,200, while experienced professionals earn up to $120,060 per year. The local cost of living index is 82% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$52,200
$-7,800 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$81,780
$-12,220 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$120,060
$-17,940 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Rockford, IL

Percentile Rockford
10th Percentile $48,720
25th Percentile $64,380
Median (50th) $80,040
75th Percentile $102,660
90th Percentile $126,150

Network Engineer Salary in Other Illinois Cities

Naperville, IL
$103,960
Pop. 149,540
Chicago, IL
$103,040
Pop. 2,693,976
Aurora, IL
$92,000
Pop. 197,757
Springfield, IL
$82,800
Pop. 114,394

How to Become a Network Engineer in Rockford

Education

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

Find Network Engineer Jobs in Rockford

Browse open network engineer positions in Rockford, IL:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Network Engineer Salary in Rockford

How much does a Network Engineer make in Rockford, IL? ▼
The median network engineer salary in Rockford, Illinois is $80,040 per year, which is 13% below the national median of $92,000. Salaries range from $48,720 (10th percentile) to $126,150 (90th percentile).
How much does a Network Engineer make per hour in Rockford? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $80,040, a network engineer in Rockford earns approximately $38 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Rockford compare to the Illinois state average for network engineer pay? ▼
Rockford's median network engineer salary of $80,040 is 13% below the Illinois state average of $92,000. The local cost of living index is 82% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Rockford, IL? ▼
Rockford has a cost of living index of 82% compared to the national average. This means a network engineer salary of $80,040 in Rockford has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a network engineer in Rockford? ▼
Most network engineer positions in Rockford 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.