Technology Brookings, SD Pop. 24,194

Network Engineer Salary in Brookings, South Dakota

The median network engineer salary in Brookings, SD is $74,520 per year, which is 19% below the national median and 2.4% below the South Dakota state average.

City Median
$74,520
vs State Avg
$-1,840
vs National
$-17,480
Cost of Living
86%

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

Brookings offers a median network engineer salary of $74,520, which is $1,840 below the South Dakota state average of $76,360. Compared to the national median of $92,000, Brookings pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Brookings's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 86% of the national average. This means the $74,520 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $86,651 in an average-cost city. This makes Brookings an attractive option for network engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for network engineers in Brookings spans from $45,360 at the 10th percentile to $117,450 at the 90th percentile — a $72,090 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $48,600, while senior network engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $111,780. Brookings is a smaller market (pop. 24,194), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Network Engineer Salary in Brookings by Experience

In Brookings, an entry-level network engineer earns around $48,600, while experienced professionals earn up to $111,780 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$48,600
$-11,400 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$76,140
$-17,860 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$111,780
$-26,220 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Brookings, SD

Percentile Brookings
10th Percentile $45,360
25th Percentile $59,940
Median (50th) $74,520
75th Percentile $95,580
90th Percentile $117,450

Network Engineer Salary in Other South Dakota Cities

How to Become a Network Engineer in Brookings

Education

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

Find Network Engineer Jobs in Brookings

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Frequently Asked Questions: Network Engineer Salary in Brookings

How much does a Network Engineer make in Brookings, SD? ▼
The median network engineer salary in Brookings, South Dakota is $74,520 per year, which is 19% below the national median of $92,000. Salaries range from $45,360 (10th percentile) to $117,450 (90th percentile).
How much does a Network Engineer make per hour in Brookings? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $74,520, a network engineer in Brookings earns approximately $36 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Brookings compare to the South Dakota state average for network engineer pay? ▼
Brookings's median network engineer salary of $74,520 is 2.4% below the South Dakota state average of $76,360. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Brookings, SD? ▼
Brookings has a cost of living index of 86% compared to the national average. This means a network engineer salary of $74,520 in Brookings has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a network engineer in Brookings? ▼
Most network engineer positions in Brookings 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.