Technology Seattle, WA Pop. 737,015

Network Engineer Salary in Seattle, Washington

The median network engineer salary in Seattle, WA is $147,200 per year, which is 60.0% above the national median and 26.0% above the Washington state average.

City Median
$147,200
vs State Avg
+$30,360
vs National
+$55,200
Cost of Living
148%

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

Seattle offers a median network engineer salary of $147,200, which is $30,360 above the Washington state average of $116,840. Compared to the national median of $92,000, Seattle pays above average for this role.

However, Seattle's cost of living index is 148%, significantly above the national average. After adjusting for local costs, the $147,200 salary has an effective purchasing power of approximately $99,459. Housing, transportation, and food costs in Seattle should be factored into any relocation or job-change decision.

The salary range for network engineers in Seattle spans from $89,600 at the 10th percentile to $232,000 at the 90th percentile — a $142,400 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $96,000, while senior network engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $220,800. As a major metro area with a population of 737,015, Seattle typically offers more job opportunities and employer competition, which can drive salaries higher.

Network Engineer Salary in Seattle by Experience

In Seattle, an entry-level network engineer earns around $96,000, while experienced professionals earn up to $220,800 per year. The local cost of living index is 148% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$96,000
+$36,000 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$150,400
+$56,400 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$220,800
+$82,800 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Seattle, WA

Percentile Seattle
10th Percentile $89,600
25th Percentile $118,400
Median (50th) $147,200
75th Percentile $188,800
90th Percentile $232,000

Network Engineer Salary in Other Washington Cities

Bellevue, WA
$150,880
Pop. 151,854
Tacoma, WA
$112,240
Pop. 219,346
Vancouver, WA
$104,880
Pop. 190,915
Spokane, WA
$95,680
Pop. 228,989

How to Become a Network Engineer in Seattle

Education

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

Find Network Engineer Jobs in Seattle

Browse open network engineer positions in Seattle, WA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Network Engineer Salary in Seattle

How much does a Network Engineer make in Seattle, WA? ▼
The median network engineer salary in Seattle, Washington is $147,200 per year, which is 60.0% above the national median of $92,000. Salaries range from $89,600 (10th percentile) to $232,000 (90th percentile).
How much does a Network Engineer make per hour in Seattle? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $147,200, a network engineer in Seattle earns approximately $71 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Seattle compare to the Washington state average for network engineer pay? ▼
Seattle's median network engineer salary of $147,200 is 26.0% above the Washington state average of $116,840. The local cost of living index is 148% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Seattle, WA? ▼
Seattle has a cost of living index of 148% compared to the national average. This means a network engineer salary of $147,200 in Seattle has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a network engineer in Seattle? ▼
Most network engineer positions in Seattle 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.