Technology Charlotte, NC Pop. 874,579

Network Engineer Salary in Charlotte, North Carolina

The median network engineer salary in Charlotte, NC is $93,840 per year, which is 2.0% above the national median and 6.3% above the North Carolina state average.

City Median
$93,840
vs State Avg
+$5,520
vs National
+$1,840
Cost of Living
98%

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

Charlotte offers a median network engineer salary of $93,840, which is $5,520 above the North Carolina state average of $88,320. Compared to the national median of $92,000, Charlotte pays above average for this role.

Charlotte's cost of living is 98% 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 Charlotte spans from $57,120 at the 10th percentile to $147,900 at the 90th percentile — a $90,780 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $61,200, while senior network engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $140,760. As a major metro area with a population of 874,579, Charlotte typically offers more job opportunities and employer competition, which can drive salaries higher.

Network Engineer Salary in Charlotte by Experience

In Charlotte, an entry-level network engineer earns around $61,200, while experienced professionals earn up to $140,760 per year. The local cost of living index is 98% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$61,200
+$1,200 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$95,880
+$1,880 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$140,760
+$2,760 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Charlotte, NC

Percentile Charlotte
10th Percentile $57,120
25th Percentile $75,480
Median (50th) $93,840
75th Percentile $120,360
90th Percentile $147,900

Network Engineer Salary in Other North Carolina Cities

Raleigh, NC
$93,840
Pop. 467,665
Durham, NC
$91,080
Pop. 283,506
Greensboro, NC
$84,640
Pop. 299,035
Winston-Salem, NC
$82,800
Pop. 249,545

How to Become a Network Engineer in Charlotte

Education

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

Find Network Engineer Jobs in Charlotte

Browse open network engineer positions in Charlotte, NC:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Network Engineer Salary in Charlotte

How much does a Network Engineer make in Charlotte, NC? ▼
The median network engineer salary in Charlotte, North Carolina is $93,840 per year, which is 2.0% above the national median of $92,000. Salaries range from $57,120 (10th percentile) to $147,900 (90th percentile).
How much does a Network Engineer make per hour in Charlotte? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $93,840, a network engineer in Charlotte earns approximately $45 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Charlotte compare to the North Carolina state average for network engineer pay? ▼
Charlotte's median network engineer salary of $93,840 is 6.3% above the North Carolina state average of $88,320. The local cost of living index is 98% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Charlotte, NC? ▼
Charlotte has a cost of living index of 98% compared to the national average. This means a network engineer salary of $93,840 in Charlotte has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a network engineer in Charlotte? ▼
Most network engineer positions in Charlotte 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.