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Network Engineer salary by experience
Annual CTC ranges below are for Tier-1 metro cities (Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi-NCR, Hyderabad, Pune, Chennai). The median (P50) is the middle of the market; P25 and P75 mark the low and high of the typical range.
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How to get hired as a Network Engineer: skills, learning & companies
These are the skills that move a Network Engineer's pay the most, where to learn them free, and who's hiring — including under-the-radar companies worth a look. Pair this with our step-by-step job-search guide and the salary ranges above.
Top skills that raise your pay
- Routing & switching (CCNA → CCNP) — the foundation every employer tests.
- TCP/IP, BGP, OSPF, VLANs — deep protocol knowledge separates seniors from juniors.
- Network security & firewalls (Palo Alto/Cisco ASA, Zero Trust) — where the biggest premiums are now.
- Cloud networking (AWS VPC, Azure VNet, SD-WAN/SASE) — the fastest-growing skill in the field.
- Automation (Python, Ansible) — moves you from 'config' to real network engineering.
- Monitoring (Wireshark, SolarWinds, NetFlow) — everyday troubleshooting and uptime.
Learn these for free
Reputable, no-cost resources — no paid course funnels.
- Cisco Networking Academy (free tracks)
- roadmap.sh — Cyber security
- Microsoft Learn — Azure networking
- NPTEL — Computer networks
- freeCodeCamp — Python
Where the jobs are
🏢 Top companies hiring
- Cisco
- Juniper Networks
- TCS
- Infosys
- Wipro
- HCLTech
- Airtel
- Reliance Jio
- Accenture
💎 Hidden-gem companies
Less obvious names that pay well or offer strong growth.
- CtrlS / Nxtra — data-center & edge — steady demand and premiums.
- Netmagic (NTT) — managed services with strong hands-on exposure.
- Lightstorm — network-infra startup on a modern stack.
- BFSI security teams (banks/insurers) — regulation-driven, stable and well-paid.
- Tata Communications — global backbone with deep networking work.
Breaking in
🎓 If you're a fresher
Get CCNA-level knowledge (self-study is fine), build a home lab in Packet Tracer/GNS3, and start in a NOC or support role — the fastest on-ramp into network engineering.
🔁 If you're already experienced
Add cloud networking + automation (Python/Ansible) and a security cert. SD-WAN/SASE and cloud skills command far bigger jumps than pure on-prem CCNP profiles.
Worthwhile certifications: CCNA / CCNP, AWS Advanced Networking.
What affects a Network Engineer's salary?
- Experience & seniority — the single biggest lever, as the table above shows.
- Company type — product companies, MNCs and well-funded startups typically pay above services firms.
- City — Tier-1 metros pay the most; Tier-2 cities pay roughly 15% less and Tier-3/remote about 28% less.
- Skills & specialisation — in-demand, high-value skills and certifications push you toward the P75 end.
- Negotiation & timing — switching roles and negotiating well often moves pay more than annual increments.
CTC is not take-home
The ranges above are CTC (cost to company). What reaches your bank account each month is lower after EPF, professional tax and income tax. Convert any figure into monthly in-hand with our take-home salary calculator, and see how companies build a CTC.
Turn CTC into monthly in-hand
A higher CTC doesn't always mean more cash in hand. See your real take-home after EPF, professional tax and income tax for FY 2025-26.
Take-Home Salary Calculator → Am I Underpaid? ToolFrequently asked questions
What is the average salary of a Network Engineer in India?
For a Network Engineer in India, a typical fresher (0–2 years) earns around ₹4.0 L a year, while a senior professional (10+ years) is around ₹24.0 L. These are indicative median (P50) figures for Tier-1 cities; actual pay depends on company, skills and location.
How much does an experienced Network Engineer earn?
An experienced Network Engineer (10+ years) in a Tier-1 city typically earns between ₹18.0 L and ₹38.0 L a year, with the median around ₹24.0 L. Top performers and specialists can earn more.
Am I underpaid as a Network Engineer?
Compare your CTC against the market range for your experience and city. If you are below the 25th percentile (P25) for your band, you are likely underpaid. Use our salary benchmark tool to check your exact position and compa-ratio.
Are these Network Engineer salary figures guaranteed?
No. They are indicative ranges aggregated from public salary data for India and are for guidance only, not a guarantee. Real offers depend on the specific employer, your skills, performance and negotiation.
What skills do I need to become a Network Engineer in India?
The most in-demand skills are Routing & switching (CCNA → CCNP), TCP/IP, BGP, OSPF, VLANs, Network security & firewalls (Palo Alto/Cisco ASA, Zero Trust), Cloud networking (AWS VPC, Azure VNet, SD-WAN/SASE). You can learn all of them free through resources like Cisco Networking Academy (free tracks) and roadmap.sh — Cyber security.
Which companies hire Network Engineers in India?
Well-known employers include Cisco, Juniper Networks, TCS, Infosys, Wipro. Strong but lesser-known options worth applying to include CtrlS / Nxtra, Netmagic (NTT), Lightstorm.