Technology Columbus, OH Pop. 905,748

Network Engineer Salary in Columbus, Ohio

The median network engineer salary in Columbus, OH is $87,400 per year, which is 5% below the national median and 5.6% above the Ohio state average.

City Median
$87,400
vs State Avg
+$4,600
vs National
$-4,600
Cost of Living
95%

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

Columbus offers a median network engineer salary of $87,400, which is $4,600 above the Ohio state average of $82,800. Compared to the national median of $92,000, Columbus pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Columbus'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 Columbus spans from $53,200 at the 10th percentile to $137,750 at the 90th percentile — a $84,550 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $57,000, while senior network engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $131,100. As a major metro area with a population of 905,748, Columbus typically offers more job opportunities and employer competition, which can drive salaries higher.

Network Engineer Salary in Columbus by Experience

In Columbus, an entry-level network engineer earns around $57,000, while experienced professionals earn up to $131,100 per year. The local cost of living index is 95% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$57,000
$-3,000 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$89,300
$-4,700 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$131,100
$-6,900 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Columbus, OH

Percentile Columbus
10th Percentile $53,200
25th Percentile $70,300
Median (50th) $87,400
75th Percentile $112,100
90th Percentile $137,750

Network Engineer Salary in Other Ohio Cities

Cincinnati, OH
$82,800
Pop. 309,317
Cleveland, OH
$79,120
Pop. 372,624
Akron, OH
$77,280
Pop. 190,469
Toledo, OH
$75,440
Pop. 270,871

How to Become a Network Engineer in Columbus

Education

Most network engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. Columbus and the surrounding Ohio 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, OH:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Network Engineer Salary in Columbus

How much does a Network Engineer make in Columbus, OH? ▼
The median network engineer salary in Columbus, Ohio is $87,400 per year, which is 5% below the national median of $92,000. Salaries range from $53,200 (10th percentile) to $137,750 (90th percentile).
How much does a Network Engineer make per hour in Columbus? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $87,400, a network engineer in Columbus earns approximately $42 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Columbus compare to the Ohio state average for network engineer pay? ▼
Columbus's median network engineer salary of $87,400 is 5.6% above the Ohio state average of $82,800. The local cost of living index is 95% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Columbus, OH? ▼
Columbus has a cost of living index of 95% compared to the national average. This means a network engineer salary of $87,400 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.