Network engineer salary: state and industry differences in Australia

Network engineer salary: state and industry differences

When people search for a "network engineer salary, the first question is often about how much you can expect to earn. The median weekly earnings for Computer Network Professionals, which includes network engineers, is $2,309 per week, according to the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025. That figure sits at an index of 110.8, meaning it is 10.8% above the national line of 100. This is above the average for all occupations ($1,852/week index 88.9). The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, index 48.2. The median network engineer salary is more than double that.

State differences

The national median for network engineers is $2,309 per week, but where you work matters. The states with the highest overall index are the Australian Capital Territory (109.9) and Western Australia (106.9). Network engineers are concentrated in New South Wales (39.7%) and Victoria (31.1%), which have state indices of 101.2 and 98 respectively. While the occupation's median is above the national line, working in a higher-index state like WA or ACT may push your pay even further above the median. Conversely, Tasmania (88.6) and South Australia (94.6) have lower overall indices, but network engineer pay in those states may still be close to the national median for the occupation.

Industry differences

Industry is another key factor. The [industries](/industries] for network engineers include Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (index 114.7) is close to the occupation's median. The median for the occupation is $2,309 per week, which is above the national line. The mining industry has a much higher index of 154.7, but that is for the mining industry overall, not specifically for network engineers. However, if you work in a higher-paying industry like mining, your salary may be above the median. The median for the occupation is $2,309 per week, which is above the national line.

How the index works

The how the index works uses full-time adult ordinary-time earnings as the national line. Your yearly gross divided by the national line, times 100. For a network engineer earning $2,309 per week, the annualised figure is $120,068. That gives an index of 110.8. This is above the national line of 100. The national minimum wage is $26.26 per hour, index 48.2. The median network engineer salary is above the national line.

Awards and minimum rates

The Fair Work Ombudsman's [pay guides](/blog] provides minimum rates for related roles. The Telecommunications Services Award 2020 includes classifications such as Telecommunications Technician $31.27 per hour, Advanced Telecommunications Technician $32.13 per hour, and Principal Telecommunications Technician $34.46 per hour (from 1 July 2026). These are minimum rates, not the median. Most network engineers are above award. The median for the occupation is $2,309 per week, which is above the national line.

Take-home pay estimates

For a resident earning $2,309 per week, the annualised figure is $120,000. After tax and Medicare levy (2%), the take-home is about $88,000 per year. The index is 110.8. This is above the national line. The median network engineer salary is above the national line.

Conclusion

The network engineer salary is above the national line. The state and industry differences affect pay. The median is $2,309 per week. The index is 110.8. This is above the national line. The state and industry differences are important. The network engineer salary is above the national line.