In South Korea, Network engineers play a crucial role in ensuring seamless connectivity and cybersecurity. But what does this vital role translate to in terms of monetary reward? In this complete article, we will explain the Average Network Engineer Salary in South Korea. From entry-level positions to experts, we will provide the factors that influence compensation, industry trends, and the potential for career advancement.
Whether you are considering a career in network engineering or simply curious to know about the industry’s financial prospects, this information will provide valuable insights.
This Blog Includes:
- What is the Average Network Engineer Salary in South Korea?
- Network Engineer Salary in South Korea By Experience Level
- Network Engineer Salary in South Korea By Education Level
- Network Engineer Salary in South Korea By Organisation
- Network Engineer Salary in South Korea By Cities
- Network Engineer Salary in South Korea By Position
- FAQs
What is the Average Network Engineer Salary in South Korea?
Network engineers in South Korea earn a competitive salary. On average, they make around KRW 40,559,300 annually or KRW 3,379,941 monthly. However, salaries can vary significantly. At the lower end, network engineers might earn as little as KRW 18,720,200 annually (KRW 1,560,016 monthly), while the highest earners can make up to KRW 64,560,300 annually (KRW 5,380,025 monthly). These figures provide a general overview of the salary range for network engineers in South Korea, but actual salaries can be influenced by factors like experience, skills, location, and company size.
Network Engineer Salary in South Korea By Experience Level
In South Korea, the salary for Network Engineers varies significantly based on experience. Entry-level engineers (0-3 years) earn an average of KRW 21,241,100 per year, which is approximately 4.8% below the national average for the role. As engineers gain experience, mid-level professionals (2-5 years) see a notable salary increase, with an average of KRW 28,318,900 per year, around 40.1% higher than entry-level salaries.
Senior engineers (10-15 years) further benefit from their extensive expertise, earning KRW 50,998,800 per year, which is 26.6% more than their mid-level counterparts. At the top of the career ladder, Lead/Principal Engineers earn an average of KRW 60,119,800 per year, 11.8% more than senior engineers, reflecting their leadership roles and high level of responsibility in network design and strategy.
In South Korea, the salary of any profession varies by level of work experience. Here’s some general information about how the salary for a network engineer varies based on experience level:
Experience Level | Average Salary Per Year |
0-2 Years | KRW 21,241,100 |
2-5 Years | KRW 28,318,900 |
5-10 Years | KRW 41,761,800 |
10-15 Years | KRW 50,998,800 |
15-20 Years | KRW 55,560,400 |
20+ Years | KRW 60,119,800 |
Network Engineer Salary in South Korea By Education Level
A higher education degree in network engineering leads to significantly higher salaries, with professionals holding a master’s or Ph.D. earning up to 31% more than those with just a bachelor’s degree. The majority of Network Engineers in South Korea hold a bachelor’s degree, and this qualification is associated with competitive salaries and growth potential in the field.
Engineers with master’s degrees or Ph.D.s tend to hold more senior and specialised roles, leading to higher salaries in strategic positions, especially in industries like telecommunications and technology.
In South Korea, network engineers’ salaries vary significantly based on education level. Here’s a quick breakdown of the average annual salary by education level:
Education Level | Average Salary Per Year |
Certificate or Diploma | KRW 24,119,700 |
Bachelor’s Degree | KRW 37,919,200 |
Master’s Degree | KRW 63,599,700 |
Network Engineer Salary in South Korea By Organisation
In South Korea, the salary for Network Engineers varies significantly depending on the type of organisation they work for. Government agencies offer an average salary of KRW 73,000,000 per year, which is about 18.5% lower than what engineers earn in the private sector. Similarly, educational institutions tend to pay even less, with an average salary of KRW 66,200,000 per year, which is 9.3% lower than salaries in the public sector.
While these roles provide job stability and work-life balance, they generally offer lower compensation compared to the private sector. On the other hand, consulting firms pay an average of KRW 88,000,000 per year, which is 10.6% higher than government salaries. Consulting firms offer competitive salaries while providing professionals the chance to work on diverse and complex projects across various industries, making them an appealing choice for network engineers.
Here’s a general overview of potential salary ranges for Network Engineers in some of South Korea’s major tech companies and industries
Organisation | Average Salary Per Year |
Kakao | KRW 60,000,000- KRW 100,000,000 |
SK Group | KRW 50,000,000- KRW 60,000,000 |
Samsung SDS | KRW 30,000,000- KRW 90,000,000 |
SNet System | KRW 30,000,000- KRW 70,000,000 |
Korea Telecom | KRW 50,000,000- KRW 60,000,000 |
KT | KRW 20,000,000- KRW 40,000,000 |
Lotte Data Communication | KRW 60,000,000- KRW 70,000,000 |
LG Electrician | KRW 60,000,000- KRW 70,000,000 |
Coupang | KRW 70,000,000- KRW 80,000,000 |
IBM | KRW 30,000,000- KRW 90,000,000 |
Accenture | KRW 40,000,000- KRW 50,000,000 |
Network Engineer Salary in South Korea By Cities
As the capital and business center of South Korea, Seoul offers the highest salaries for network engineers, driven by the concentration of tech companies, financial institutions, and high-tech infrastructure. While salaries in Busan and Incheon are lower than in Seoul, they are still highly competitive, especially for engineers seeking opportunities in shipping, logistics, and smart city projects.
In South Korea, Network Engineers in large metropolitan areas tend to command higher salaries. Here’s general information about Network Engineers in South Korean cities:
Cities | Average Salary Per Year |
Bucheon | KRW 38,521,100 |
Busan | KRW 43,800,600 |
Seongnam | KRW 36,240,700 |
Suwon | KRW 38,760,100 |
Ulsan | KRW 41,520,800 |
Seoul | KRW 44,878,500 |
Incheon | KRW 42,839,200 |
Gwangju | KRW 39,718,900 |
Goyang | KRW 40,439,700 |
Daejeon | KRW 40,799,600 |
Daegu | KRW 41,761,800 |
Network Engineer Salary in South Korea By Position
As network engineers move into senior, lead, or management roles, their salaries increase significantly due to the added responsibilities of network design, leadership, and strategic decision-making.
Roles like network architect and engineering manager are among the highest-paid positions due to their significant responsibilities in designing and overseeing large-scale network infrastructures.
Here’s a general breakdown of approximate salary ranges for different Network Engineer positions in South Korea:
Positions | Average Salary Per Year |
Junior Network Engineer | KRW 40,000,000 – KRW 60,000,000 |
Senior Network Engineer | KRW 60,000,000 – KRW 90,000,000 |
Network Security Engineer | KRW 70,000,000 – KRW 100,000,000 |
Network Analyst | KRW 41,761,800- KRW 70,000,000 |
Network and Infrastructure Manager | KRW 73,920,200- KRW 80,000,000 |
Network Engineering Manager | KRW 53,639,100- KRW 70,000,000 |
Network Security Systems Manager | KRW 58,079,300- KRW 80,000,000 |
FAQs
In the Seoul, South Korea, area, a network engineer’s annual compensation is around KRW 60,000,000, with an average salary of KRW 55,000,000. These figures show the median, which is the middle of the ranges derived using our proprietary Total Pay Estimate model, which is based on user-provided salaries.
In Seoul, South Korea, the average gross compensation for a Cisco certified network associate (CCNA) is KRW 117,398,562, which is equivalent to KRW 56,442 per hour. The average income for a Cisco certified network associate (CCNA) in South Korea is KRW 4,076,997, which is 4% more than this. They also receive bonuses of KRW 6,762,157 on average.
For 2024-2025, the most sought-after tech positions in South Korea are cybersecurity specialists, DevOps engineers, AI/ML engineers, front-end developers, and backend engineers.
This was all about the average network engineer salary in South Korea. If you are interested in reading more articles with their salary range, follow Leverage Edu and our main page, Jobs Abroad.
Related Reads