You are looking for a network engineer, but what is a fair rate? Are you counting on the same as a cloud engineer, or is it lower? And what exactly do you get for your money?
In this article you will learn what a freelance network engineer costs in 2026. You get the rates per level, you see what the role involves, and you learn why networking is priced differently from cloud or security. I also cover how to avoid Dutch DBA Act risk.
This blog is for clients: IT managers and hiring managers looking for capacity on network, connectivity or infrastructure work.
First: all rates are market indications, excluding VAT. They fluctuate with experience, scarcity and region. Use them as a guideline.
What does a freelance network engineer cost per hour in 2026?
A freelance network engineer charges roughly €45 to €110 per hour in 2026. A junior sits around €45–€60, a mid-level between €60 and €80, and a senior between €80 and €110. Specialists in network security or complex SD-WAN environments sit at the top.
For comparison with related infrastructure roles, so you have the full picture:
- Network Engineer: junior €45–€60, mid €60–€80, senior €80–€110
- System Administrator: junior €40–€55, mid €55–€75, senior €75–€100
- Security Engineer: junior €55–€70, mid €70–€95, senior €95–€130
- Cloud Engineer (AWS/Azure): junior €50–€65, mid €65–€90, senior €90–€120
What stands out: a network engineer sits on average a little lower than a cloud or security engineer. That is not a quality judgement, but a matter of supply and demand. More on that shortly.
What does a network engineer actually do for that rate?
A network engineer designs, builds and manages an organisation's network infrastructure. Think routers, switches, firewalls, VPN connections and connectivity between locations. The goal: a stable, secure and fast network. With a senior, you also get design choices and independent problem-solving under pressure.
In practice, you work with technologies from vendors like Cisco, Juniper and Palo Alto. Two terms that come up often: BGP is the protocol that determines how data traffic finds its route across networks, crucial for larger environments. SD-WAN is a technique to smartly manage multiple network connections, often across locations. An experienced network engineer knows these.
The difference between levels is about independence and complexity. A junior manages and monitors under guidance. A mid-level handles configurations and faults independently. A senior designs the architecture and solves the tricky, business-critical problems.
Why is a network engineer's rate lower than a cloud engineer's?
The difference is market dynamics, not value. The cloud market grows fast and attracts heavy demand, while the supply of top specialists lags. Networking is a mature, stable market with solid supply. Less scarcity means a slightly lower rate.
That does not make a network engineer less important. A network that goes down brings your whole organisation to a halt. But because the knowledge is more broadly available than multi-cloud or security, you pay less on average. For you as a client, that is favourable.
One nuance: network security is scarce. Looking for someone who combines networking and security, for example with Palo Alto firewalls and zero-trust experience? Then you pay a premium. That combination sits closer to security rates.
Which factors make a network engineer more or less expensive?
Four factors set the rate: experience, specialisation, certifications and region. A senior with network security expertise and a top certification in Amsterdam sits at the top. A mid-level generalist in the provinces at the bottom.
Certifications
In the networking world, certifications weigh heavily. A Cisco CCNP or CCIE shows demonstrable depth. Engineers with those credentials charge more, and rightly so: they prove a level that is hard to find. So ask about certifications when the complexity justifies it.
Assignment duration and location
Network work often takes place partly on-site, because physical equipment is involved. A long-running assignment at a fixed location quickly touches the DBA Act. You need to factor that into the construction. More on that below.
How do you avoid Dutch DBA Act risk when hiring a network engineer?
Network assignments are often long-running and partly on-site, exactly what the Tax Authority scrutinises. Since 1 January 2025, the DBA Act is actively enforced. With a wrongly classified freelance arrangement, you risk back taxes. The intermediary construction removes that risk from you.
The Tax Authority assesses, among other things, the authority relationship, whether the freelancer must do the work personally, and embedding in your organisation. A network engineer who works for months at your location with your equipment, alongside your permanent team, risks being seen as a disguised employment relationship.
For such a long-running, embedded assignment, I advise the intermediary construction. Maedium then sits contractually between you and the freelancer: you contract me, I contract the freelancer. The freelancer stays an independent entrepreneur; I do not become an employer and pay no payroll tax. I take on the risk, safeguarded through my model agreement and contract structure. Want to know how that works? Read our guide to the Dutch DBA Act.
For a short, well-defined project where the engineer truly works independently, regular intermediation can be enough. In doubt? Then I always advise the intermediary construction.
Frequently asked questions about hiring a network engineer
What is the difference between a network engineer and a system administrator?
A network engineer focuses on network infrastructure: routers, switches, firewalls and connectivity. A system administrator manages servers, workstations and users. The roles overlap at smaller companies, but a network engineer is more specialised and sits slightly higher on rate.
Do I need a junior, mid-level or senior network engineer?
That depends on the complexity. For designing a new network architecture, you need a senior. For management and fault handling within an existing environment, a mid-level is enough. Routine monitoring a junior can handle fine.
Can a network engineer work remotely?
Partly. Much configuration and management work can be remote, but physical equipment or new locations require presence. So count on a mix. Make clear agreements in advance about when on-site presence is expected.
What does a network engineer cost extra via the intermediary construction?
With the intermediary construction, I charge a fee of around 15 percent on the freelancer's rate, versus around 10 percent for intermediation. The freelancer stays independent in both cases; no employer costs are added. For that slightly higher fee, I sit contractually in between and take on the Dutch DBA Act risk.
Are network engineers easy to find?
Generalist network engineers are reasonably available. Specialists who combine networking with security are scarcer. At Maedium, I search my network specifically for the profile that fits your assignment, so you do not have to search yourself.
Conclusion: what do you pay, and when is it worth it?
A freelance network engineer costs between €45 and €110 per hour in 2026, depending on level and specialism. For that rate, you get someone who designs, builds and keeps your network running. On average, you pay a little less than for cloud or security, thanks to wider supply.
For whom is a senior worth it? For clients with a complex or business-critical network environment. For whom not? For regular management within an existing environment, a mid-level is smarter for your budget.
And remember the compliance side. On-site network work over a longer period quickly touches the DBA Act. The slightly higher fee of the intermediary construction is small compared to a back-tax assessment.
Need a network engineer for your project?
Want to spar about the right profile and a market rate for your network assignment? Plan a no-obligation call with me. I think along on level, construction and cost, with no strings attached.
Note: rates and regulations may change. For current Dutch DBA Act information, consult rijksoverheid.nl or belastingdienst.nl. For complex situations, I advise consulting an employment lawyer or tax advisor.
