Technology Arlington, VA Pop. 238,643

Network Engineer Salary in Arlington, Virginia

The median network engineer salary in Arlington, VA is $128,800 per year, which is 40.0% above the national median and 25.0% above the Virginia state average.

City Median
$128,800
vs State Avg
+$25,760
vs National
+$36,800
Cost of Living
132%

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

Arlington offers a median network engineer salary of $128,800, which is $25,760 above the Virginia state average of $103,040. Compared to the national median of $92,000, Arlington pays above average for this role.

However, Arlington's cost of living index is 132%, significantly above the national average. After adjusting for local costs, the $128,800 salary has an effective purchasing power of approximately $97,576. Housing, transportation, and food costs in Arlington should be factored into any relocation or job-change decision.

The salary range for network engineers in Arlington spans from $78,400 at the 10th percentile to $203,000 at the 90th percentile — a $124,600 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $84,000, while senior network engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $193,200. With a population of 238,643, Arlington is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Network Engineer Salary in Arlington by Experience

In Arlington, an entry-level network engineer earns around $84,000, while experienced professionals earn up to $193,200 per year. The local cost of living index is 132% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$84,000
+$24,000 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$131,600
+$37,600 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$193,200
+$55,200 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Arlington, VA

Percentile Arlington
10th Percentile $78,400
25th Percentile $103,600
Median (50th) $128,800
75th Percentile $165,200
90th Percentile $203,000

Network Engineer Salary in Other Virginia Cities

Virginia Beach, VA
$101,200
Pop. 449,974
Richmond, VA
$99,360
Pop. 226,610
Chesapeake, VA
$97,520
Pop. 249,422
Norfolk, VA
$95,680
Pop. 238,005

How to Become a Network Engineer in Arlington

Education

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

Find Network Engineer Jobs in Arlington

Browse open network engineer positions in Arlington, VA:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Network Engineer Salary in Arlington

How much does a Network Engineer make in Arlington, VA? ▼
The median network engineer salary in Arlington, Virginia is $128,800 per year, which is 40.0% above the national median of $92,000. Salaries range from $78,400 (10th percentile) to $203,000 (90th percentile).
How much does a Network Engineer make per hour in Arlington? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $128,800, a network engineer in Arlington earns approximately $62 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Arlington compare to the Virginia state average for network engineer pay? ▼
Arlington's median network engineer salary of $128,800 is 25.0% above the Virginia state average of $103,040. The local cost of living index is 132% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Arlington, VA? ▼
Arlington has a cost of living index of 132% compared to the national average. This means a network engineer salary of $128,800 in Arlington has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a network engineer in Arlington? ▼
Most network engineer positions in Arlington 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.