Network Engineer Salary: Global Insights and Earnings in Vietnam

Key Takeaways:

• In affluent countries, such as the US, the average salary of a network engineer can go as high as $118,000. For Vietnam, this is around $14,000. Go through an overview of the annual network engineer salary for different parts of the world.
• Network engineers can earn up to $200,000 when advancing to the architect level. Join ERA to learn about the key skills, degrees, and certifications that can help boost their income.

What Does a Network Engineer Do?

Network engineers design, implement, and maintain internal network systems, IT support, and systems administration. They also provide consultancy, contract, or freelance services, helping clients with network design, setup, and troubleshooting. 

A network engineer. Source: fptshop.com.vn

The main tasks of a network engineer include:

• Setting up and installing routers, switches, and network systems.
• Installing firewalls, antivirus programs, and reliable backup systems.
• Performing troubleshooting, upgrading networks, and installing service packs.
• Testing and integrating new hardware-software applications.
• Designing engineering design plans to incorporate new processes into existing frameworks.
• Collaboration with the client, technical support teams, and service providers to ensure network quality.

Network engineers manage diverse network setups, including LANs, WANs, intranets, extranets, and cloud networks. As businesses increasingly depend on robust IT systems, their role is vital for ensuring operational efficiency and cybersecurity.

Global Overview of Network Engineer Salaries

• Average Salary Worldwide:

How much does a network engineer make a year? The average networking engineer salary varies significantly across different regions worldwide. Glassdoor states that:

• North America: The US tops the list at an average of $118,000 annually. Canada follows with $75,000, and Mexico can only provide $20,000.
• Europe: Germany has $68,000, France comes with $53,000, and Spain with $40,000 annually.
• Asia: Salaries range from $62,000 in China to $14,000 in Vietnam and $6,000 in India.

What factors influence the network engineers salary? Source: cybrpro

• Salary Factors:

While these averages give a general point, network engineer pay in real life may vary greatly depending on a few key factors:

Experience plays a great role in network engineer salaries. According to Glassdoor, the United States junior network engineer earns approximately $106,000 yearly. Meanwhile, the senior network engineer salary is sitting at a high of $158,000.

Advanced certification and degrees in network engineering and security can bring in even higher salaries. CompTIA Network+, Cisco Certified Network Professional, and Juniper Networks Certified Internet Associate are in particular demand.

The skill set matters, too. In such a sensitive field of networking, employers would go for an expert instead of a newbie. If the network engineer knows cloud networking, SD-WAN, and IoT, then they are more likely to get a good salary.

Geographical location also plays a vital role. As such, in Vietnam, large cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh offer the best employment opportunities. This is due to the heightened living standards as well as technological companies located there.

• High-Paying Countries:

For the best-paying countries, network engineers need to look no further than the US, Canada, and Germany. In general, these countries have more advanced technical industries and powerful economies. They also offer a higher standard of living compared to India and Vietnam.

Network Engineer Salary in Vietnam

• Average Salary in Vietnam:

How much does network engineer make in Vietnam? Source: dongan.edu.vn

According to Glassdoor, the average annual computer network engineer salary in Vietnam is about $14,000. An entry-level position may start with about $5,800. Individuals with a few years of experience make around $9,000 annually. Seniors with more than four years of experience can earn a sr network engineer salary of $15,000 annually.

• Experience-Based Growth:

The IT networking salary in Vietnam increases with experience, additional certifications, and specialization.

The network engineers should have a bachelor’s degree in IT, computer science, and network security for better salaries. Certifications by recognized institutions, such as Cisco-CCNA, CCNP, or Microsoft, are also called for. Proficiency in English adds further value to their work with teams and clients from all over the world.

Next are two job postings that demonstrate the difference in network engineer salary based on experience and expertise:

Candidates with less than one year of experience may expect a salary in the range of $400 to $450 per month. Source: vietnamworks.com

The ones that require three years of experience and more specialized skills have a salary as high as $1,000 per month. Source: topcv.vn

• Location-Based Differences:

According to Glassdoor, a network engineer’s average salary in Ho Chi Minh City is about $ 8.300. That figure goes up to roughly $12,000 yearly in Hanoi.

The cost of living in other provinces is lower, which also means the number of technology companies is low. Therefore, the average salary of network engineers could be approximately $4,800 per year only.

• Market Demand:

Digital transformation in Vietnam is creating huge strides in IT and the telecommunications industry. In 2023, the country’s telecommunications revenue stood at over $13 billion. Additionally, it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.7% by 2028.

Decision No. 38/2020/QD-TTg underlined advanced network technologies like 5G, 6G, NG-PON, SDN/NFV, SD-RAN, SD-WAN, LPWAN, and IO-Link Wireless. Recognizing the significance of this decision, domestic companies and international investors are increasing their recruitment efforts. They aim to fulfill the increasing need for network expertise in advanced technologies.

Are Network Engineers Paid Well? 

• Global Perspective:

According to the US alone, median salaries for Network & Systems Administrators rank among the top 10 best-paying technology roles. This position gets to a median annual wage of about $117,450. That figure surpasses job activities like Data Scientists, Web Developers, and Computer Support Specialists.

For example, the average household in America spends about $61,334 every year. So, this puts the network engineer salary on a very comfortable standard of living in one of the most expensive countries in the world.

Network engineering normally serves as one of the best-paid spheres in technology already. Source: nexgent.com 

• Vietnamese Perspective:

The average income of IT professionals in Vietnam has consistently remained higher than the country’s average of $300 per month. One IT Salary Report 2024 identified Cloud & Infrastructure Engineers with a salary range of $1,000-$1,800 every month. This placed them on par with Software Developers regarding compensation, among other high-paying careers. 

• Final Insight:

Network engineering is a well-paid career all over the world, even in expensive countries like the US. In Vietnam, network engineers have lesser earnings as compared to the developed nations. However, a lower cost of living makes this field an attractive and promising career choice for the young Vietnamese workforce.

Can Network Engineers Make $200K?

• High-Earning Potential:

According to Reddit, network engineers can make $200,000 a year, specifically in the US and parts of Europe.

However, jobs paying this much are hardly regular engineering work. Instead, they represent senior roles such as network architects, principal engineers, or directors at Fortune 500 companies. 

• Factors Leading to High Salaries:

For top-ranked salaries, network engineers have to:

• Expertise in TCP/IP, BGP, OSPF, DHCP, DNS, and network segmentation.
• Experience in complex network design and deployment: LANs, WANs, and data centers.
• Exposure to AWS, Azure, and GCP for Cloud Network Management.
• In-depth knowledge of firewalls, intrusion detection, VPNs, etc.
• Good tooling skills with Ansible, Chef, and Puppet for Network Management.
• Certifications are included, such as Cisco CCIE, one of the prestigious credentials amongst network engineers.

Sample of Cisco CCIE. Source: rafaesil.medium.com

• Vietnamese Perspective:

In Vietnam, a $200,000 salary is rare for network engineers. However, top talent with high levels of advanced expertise often earn significantly more than others. As the Vietnamese telecommunications industry continues to grow, the potential for higher incomes for professionals is also expanding.

Is It Hard to Become a Network Engineer?

• Educational Pathways:

Earning a bachelor’s degree in information technology, computer science, or network engineering is a common starting point. Such programs often provide courses related to network design, network security, telecommunications, and computer systems.

• Certification Importance:

Professional certifications add not only prestige to the career but also very much potential for network engineer salary increase.

Start with the CompTIA Network+, which validates foundational networking knowledge. Follow up with the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA). This is a highly regarded entry-level certification covering essential networking concepts and skills.

Later on in the career path, higher certifications could be pursued, such as the Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP). This will ensure more advanced expertise to be established along with opening better job opportunities.

Sample of CompTIA Network+. Source: Peterson

• Skills Required:

Certification and formal training build up the following key skills: 

• Network Design: Developing efficient design patterns for the infrastructure of computer networks.
• Protocol Mastery: The understanding and implementation of protocols for secure and effective communication between devices.
• Troubleshooting: Locating and resolving network problems related to connectivity, performance, and security with minimum delay. 
• Challenges:

Being a network engineer requires being updated on the latest developments in networking technologies and standards. It’s given that networking is such a dynamic field. This is accomplished through participation in industry associations, technical journals, and conferences.

In practice, experience via internships or co-op programs often becomes more valuable than textbook knowledge. Therefore, it’s useful to engage in projects that apply networking solutions to an array of needs, technologies, and hardware.

Key Skills and Certifications that Influence Network Engineer Salaries 

• In-Demand Skills:

Network engineers specializing in certain skills are more in demand in the contemporary technology-based job market. Essential skills include:

• Network Security: Knowledge of firewalls, VPNs, intrusion detection systems, and the like that protect the network from intrusions.
• Cloud Networking: Experience in cloud platforms like Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure, including special networking needs.
• Proficiency with Network Tools: Knowledge in using tools like Wireshark, SolarWinds, and Cisco Packet Tracer efficiently to optimize and troubleshoot.

• Certifications That Boost Earnings:

Professional certifications are not always required. However, they may bring great possibilities for improving the network engineer salary and career opportunities. The most influential ones include Cisco CCNA, Cisco CCNP, Cisco CCIE, and JNCIA-Junos.

Continuous learning by certification and professional development is what keeps network engineers current. It also presents opportunities for advanced roles like Network Architect or Network Manager. Responsibilities at this level typically include strategic planning, higher-level network design, and monitoring of large infrastructures.

Career Progression and Opportunities for Network Engineers

• Junior to Senior Roles:

The common career path for network engineers usually involves jobs like Network Technician or Help Desk Engineer. With these, they get introduced to a network environment consisting of hardware, software, troubleshooting, and users.

Once experienced, they are commonly promoted to junior network engineers, where they design, configure, and troubleshoot networks. In the widening of their experience, they then go into senior positions of network engineering, overseeing intricate networks. They may also mentor junior network engineers as part of helping to create the next generation of professionals.

With experience, they move on to Network Architect, wherein the role extends to advanced network design and infrastructure. Others go into management positions such as Network Manager or IT Director. In these roles, they will take on responsibilities overseeing teams and broader IT operations.

• Specialized Roles and Freelance Opportunities:

There are numerous potential career paths for network engineers. Others may choose to specialize in certain areas like network security, cloud networking, and telecommunications infrastructure.

Cloud network engineers. Source: graduate.northeastern.edu

For those eyeing high returns in a minimal period, becoming an independent contractor or freelancer sounds like an attractive option. This approach provides greater flexibility in managing their schedules. However, the trade-off is the lack of career security typically associated with full-time arrangements.

• International Opportunities:

Through Employer of Record (EOR) services, international companies can simplify the process of hiring network talent in Vietnam. These services eliminate the need to establish a local entity. Additionally, EOR services ensure compliance with Vietnamese labor laws.

For network engineers, this presents an excellent opportunity to work remotely with multinational companies without relocating. Besides, it could increase their incomes significantly from clients in developed countries compared to the local wage.