Network engineer Salary UK
IT network professionals in the UK earn a median salary of £48,294 a year (ONS ASHE 2025, gross pay, all employee jobs), and the middle half earn between £39,410 and £65,107. The figures cover the ONS occupation group “IT network professionals” (SOC 2137).
Gross pay, before deductions. See take-home pay on £48,000 after tax and National Insurance →
For it network professionals, £48,907 is the typical (median) pay. That is well above the UK full-time median of £39,039 — +25% versus the national average. Experienced it network professionals (top 25%) earn over £65,107.
About this role
IT network professionals design, implement, manage and troubleshoot computer networks, telecommunications systems and cloud infrastructure. They ensure reliable connectivity, optimise performance and maintain security across an organisation's networking environment.
Key responsibilities
- Designing and implementing network architectures
- Configuring and managing routers, switches, firewalls and load balancers
- Monitoring network performance and troubleshooting connectivity issues
- Managing cloud networking and hybrid infrastructure
- Ensuring network security and implementing access controls
Qualifications and entry routes
Typically requires a degree in networking, computer science or IT. Cisco certifications (CCNA, CCNP) are widely recognised. Cloud networking certifications (AWS Advanced Networking, Azure Network Engineer) are increasingly important.
Career outlook
Steady demand, though the role is evolving from physical networking towards cloud and software-defined networking (SDN). SD-WAN and zero-trust networking are growth areas.
Key skills
Common industries
- Telecommunications
- Managed service providers
- Financial services
- Data centres
- All enterprise environments
Data coverage
Salary Range (2025)
Estimated Career Progression
Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation
Entry Level
£32,961
0-2 years
Mid Level
£39,410
3-7 years
Senior
£65,107
8-15 years
Potential career growth: ▲ +98% from entry to leadership
Salary Trend (2021-2025)
Gender Pay Comparison (2025)
Full-time vs All Employees (2025)
Full-time premium: +£613
Network engineer salary: common questions
How much do it network professionals earn in the UK?
Is £48,907 a good salary in the UK?
What is the starting salary for it network professionals?
Have it network professionals salaries kept up with inflation?
Figures: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, gross annual pay. UK full-time median £39,039 (2025). How the figures are built: salary data methodology.