Career comparison
Network Engineer vs Security Engineer
A side-by-side read on pay, outlook, and — the part that actually decides it — which one fits the way you work.
Network Engineer
$95,000median
$65K – $168K
Network Engineer rewards strength in technical depth and analytical thinking.
Security Engineer
$158,000median
$110K – $295K
Security Engineer rewards strength in analytical thinking and technical depth.
Head to head
MetricNetwork EngineerSecurity Engineer
Median salary$95k$158k✓
5-year growth44/10086/100✓
Future-proof48/10086/100✓
Remote potential52/10070/100✓
Stress level62/100✓78/100
Entry difficulty52/100✓78/100
Figures from the Work Fit IQ catalog, calibrated to public 2024-2026 US labor signals (BLS OEWS/OOH, O*NET, Levels.fyi). A highlighted side means a meaningful edge on that metric, not a verdict on the whole career.
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