Technology Durham, NC Pop. 283,506

Network Engineer Salary in Durham, North Carolina

The median network engineer salary in Durham, NC is $91,080 per year, which is 1% below the national median and 3.1% above the North Carolina state average.

City Median
$91,080
vs State Avg
+$2,760
vs National
$-920
Cost of Living
95%

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

Durham offers a median network engineer salary of $91,080, which is $2,760 above the North Carolina state average of $88,320. Compared to the national median of $92,000, Durham pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Durham's cost of living is 95% 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 Durham spans from $55,440 at the 10th percentile to $143,550 at the 90th percentile — a $88,110 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $59,400, while senior network engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $136,620. With a population of 283,506, Durham is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Network Engineer Salary in Durham by Experience

In Durham, an entry-level network engineer earns around $59,400, while experienced professionals earn up to $136,620 per year. The local cost of living index is 95% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$59,400
$-600 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$93,060
$-940 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$136,620
$-1,380 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Durham, NC

Percentile Durham
10th Percentile $55,440
25th Percentile $73,260
Median (50th) $91,080
75th Percentile $116,820
90th Percentile $143,550

Network Engineer Salary in Other North Carolina Cities

How to Become a Network Engineer in Durham

Education

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

Find Network Engineer Jobs in Durham

Browse open network engineer positions in Durham, NC:

Frequently Asked Questions: Network Engineer Salary in Durham

How much does a Network Engineer make in Durham, NC? ▼
The median network engineer salary in Durham, North Carolina is $91,080 per year, which is 1% below the national median of $92,000. Salaries range from $55,440 (10th percentile) to $143,550 (90th percentile).
How much does a Network Engineer make per hour in Durham? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $91,080, a network engineer in Durham earns approximately $44 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Durham compare to the North Carolina state average for network engineer pay? ▼
Durham's median network engineer salary of $91,080 is 3.1% above the North Carolina state average of $88,320. The local cost of living index is 95% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Durham, NC? ▼
Durham has a cost of living index of 95% compared to the national average. This means a network engineer salary of $91,080 in Durham has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a network engineer in Durham? ▼
Most network engineer positions in Durham 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.