Network Engineer Salary in Oman: Complete Compensation Guide 2026

Network Engineer Compensation in Oman

Oman offers Network Engineers a distinctive GCC experience that blends competitive tax-free compensation with the lowest cost of living in the region, set against a backdrop of natural beauty and a laid-back lifestyle that is strikingly different from the high-energy pace of Dubai or Riyadh. The Sultanate’s telecommunications market, led by Omantel and the challenger operator Awasr (formerly Vodafone Oman, now under local ownership following Vodafone’s exit), provides the core of networking employment, while the oil and gas sector (anchored by Petroleum Development Oman), government digital transformation initiatives, and a growing enterprise IT market create additional demand. Oman Vision 2040, the country’s long-term economic diversification strategy, has prioritized digital infrastructure as a foundational enabler, driving investment in 5G networks, fibre broadband expansion, cloud infrastructure, and smart city connectivity.

For Network Engineers who value a balanced lifestyle, genuine cultural immersion, outdoor recreation (Oman is renowned for its mountains, wadis, deserts, and coastline), and the ability to build savings while gaining solid GCC experience, Oman presents an increasingly attractive proposition. The market is smaller and quieter than the UAE or Saudi Arabia, but it is growing steadily, and engineers who establish themselves early in Oman’s digital transformation are well-positioned for long-term career rewards.

Salary Overview by Experience Level

Network Engineer salaries in Oman are denominated in Omani Rial (OMR), which is pegged to the US dollar at approximately OMR 1 = USD 2.60. The following ranges represent monthly base salaries before benefits and reflect the 2026 market in Muscat and other major centres.

Entry-Level (0–2 years): OMR 480–780 per month (approximately USD 1,248–2,028). Junior Network Engineers and NOC technicians with CCNA or CompTIA Network+ certification enter the Oman market in this range. Graduates joining Omantel or Awasr’s network operations centres start at OMR 500–700, while enterprise IT departments at banks, government entities, and oil companies offer OMR 550–780. Oman’s Omanization programme mandates a percentage of national employees across sectors, and networking roles in telecommunications and government have specific quotas. However, the specialized nature of many network engineering positions means that expatriate professionals remain in demand, particularly at the mid and senior levels.

Mid-Level (3–6 years): OMR 780–1,350 per month (approximately USD 2,028–3,510). Mid-level Network Engineers design, implement, and manage enterprise and telecommunications networks across Oman. CCNP-certified engineers with SD-WAN, wireless, or network security specializations earn OMR 1,000–1,350. Omantel engineers at this level earn OMR 800–1,100, while those at Petroleum Development Oman (PDO), Bank Muscat, or enterprise IT departments earn OMR 950–1,350. The oil and gas sector (PDO, OQ, and various upstream operators) consistently offers the highest mid-level packages, combining competitive base salaries with comprehensive benefits including housing, medical, and education support.

Senior Level (7–12 years): OMR 1,350–2,100 per month (approximately USD 3,510–5,460). Senior Network Engineers and Network Architects lead complex projects and manage network teams. CCIE-certified professionals at this level command OMR 1,700–2,100. These professionals architect multi-site WAN deployments across Oman’s geographically dispersed oil fields, design data centre network fabrics, implement network security frameworks, and lead 5G-related infrastructure projects. Petroleum Development Oman, Omantel, and government technology entities (Information Technology Authority) offer the strongest senior-level packages.

Principal / Executive Level (12+ years): OMR 2,100–3,100 per month (approximately USD 5,460–8,060). Network Infrastructure Managers, IT Directors, and Principal Architects at this level oversee network strategy for major Omani organizations. These roles are concentrated at Omantel, PDO, OQ Group, the Royal Oman Police (which maintains a sophisticated IT infrastructure), and major government ministries. Executive-level network roles in Oman are fewer in number but well-compensated, particularly in the oil and gas sector.

Oman’s Telecommunications Infrastructure

Oman’s telecommunications sector has undergone significant modernization, with substantial investment in 5G, fibre-to-the-premises, and submarine cable connectivity.

Omantel: The Sultanate’s incumbent and largest telecommunications operator, Omantel provides mobile, fixed-line, broadband, and enterprise services. Omantel is also a significant player in regional connectivity, operating and managing international submarine cable systems that connect Oman to global internet backbone infrastructure. The company’s network engineering team manages nationwide 5G deployment, fibre broadband expansion (targeting comprehensive coverage under Oman Vision 2040), IP/MPLS backbone operations, and enterprise networking solutions. Omantel is the largest single employer of Network Engineers in Oman, offering structured career paths, certification sponsorship, and benefits that include housing and transport allowances. The company’s international submarine cable operations create unique roles in undersea cable network engineering and global traffic management that are rarely found outside major international carriers.

Awasr: Formerly branded as Vodafone Oman, Awasr operates as Oman’s second mobile and broadband operator. The company has invested in 5G rollout and fibre expansion to compete with Omantel across mobile, fixed broadband, and enterprise segments. Network Engineers at Awasr benefit from a challenger operator’s dynamic environment, with broader role scope and faster exposure to multiple networking domains. The company offers competitive salaries with performance-based incentives.

Vodafone Oman: Following the 2024 rebrand and operational changes, Vodafone maintains a partnership presence in Oman, with some networking technology and support roles connected to the broader Vodafone Group ecosystem. This creates potential for international career mobility for engineers who build Vodafone-aligned expertise.

Oil and Gas Sector Networking

Oman’s oil and gas sector is the bedrock of the economy and a major employer of Network Engineers. The sector’s networking requirements are among the most demanding and diverse in the country.

Petroleum Development Oman (PDO): Jointly owned by the Omani government and Shell, PDO is the Sultanate’s largest oil and gas producer. PDO operates an extensive network infrastructure connecting oil fields, gathering stations, processing facilities, pipeline monitoring systems, and corporate offices across a vast geographic area spanning Oman’s interior. Network Engineers at PDO work with a fascinating blend of enterprise IT networking and operational technology (OT): corporate campus networks running Cisco infrastructure alongside industrial SCADA networks, wireless mesh networks for field operations (WirelessHART, ISA100.11a), satellite communications for remote sites, and increasingly, IoT sensor networks for predictive maintenance and environmental monitoring.

PDO’s compensation packages are among the most comprehensive in Oman, including furnished company housing in residential camps or generous housing allowances in Muscat, comprehensive medical coverage, education support for dependents, annual flights, and a generous leave structure. Engineers posted to field locations (such as Nimr, Marmul, or Lekhwair in the interior) receive additional hardship allowances and more frequent leave cycles. The combination of competitive base salary and exceptional benefits makes PDO one of the most sought-after employers for Network Engineers in the Sultanate.

OQ Group (formerly Oman Oil and Orpic): Oman’s integrated energy company, OQ operates across the entire energy value chain from exploration to marketing. The group’s IT infrastructure connects refineries (Sohar Refinery, Muscat Refinery), petrochemical plants, LNG facilities, and corporate offices. Network Engineers at OQ manage industrial process networks, enterprise IT connectivity, and increasingly sophisticated data analytics platforms that require high-bandwidth, low-latency network architectures.

Government Digital Transformation

Oman Vision 2040 has positioned digital transformation as a central pillar of the country’s economic diversification strategy. The Information Technology Authority (ITA), under the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, oversees the national digital agenda and manages key government IT infrastructure.

The Oman Government Network connects ministries, departments, and public services across the Sultanate. The e-Oman initiative has digitized hundreds of government services, requiring reliable, secure, and high-performance network connectivity. The Royal Oman Police (ROP) maintains one of the most sophisticated IT and communications infrastructures in the public sector, including command and control networks, surveillance systems, and national communications platforms. Network Engineers working in Oman’s government sector benefit from strong job stability, generous leave policies, and benefits packages that include housing and transportation.

Smart Muscat and smart city initiatives across the country are driving investment in IoT connectivity, urban sensor networks, intelligent transportation systems, and connected public services. Network Engineers who can design and manage IoT connectivity platforms, edge computing infrastructure, and urban wireless networks find growing opportunities in Oman’s public sector.

Data Centre and Cloud Growth

Oman is building data centre capacity to support its digital economy and attract international cloud providers. Omantel operates data centre facilities in Muscat, and additional providers are establishing or expanding facilities to meet growing demand from government, enterprise, and cloud tenants. The country’s strategic location on key submarine cable routes between Asia, the Middle East, and Africa makes it a viable data centre hub.

Network Engineers working in Oman’s data centre sector design spine-leaf fabrics, implement network virtualization, manage high-speed interconnects, and ensure low-latency connectivity for cloud services. While the volume of data centre networking roles is smaller than in the UAE or Saudi Arabia, the growth trajectory is strong, and early-career specialization in data centre networking positions engineers well as Oman’s digital infrastructure expands.

Network Security in Oman

Oman’s national cybersecurity centre (OCERT — Oman Computer Emergency Readiness Team) and the ITA’s cybersecurity initiatives have raised network security standards across government and critical infrastructure sectors. The Central Bank of Oman has issued cybersecurity guidelines for the financial sector that specify network security controls, access management, and monitoring requirements.

Network Engineers in Oman who demonstrate competency in firewall management (Palo Alto, Fortinet, Cisco), IDS/IPS deployment, network segmentation, and security monitoring are in consistent demand. PCNSE and Fortinet NSE certifications command 15–20% premiums. The oil and gas sector’s OT security requirements create additional demand for Network Engineers who understand industrial network security, including ISA/IEC 62443 standards for industrial automation and control systems security.

Network Automation and Programmability

Network automation adoption in Oman is at an earlier stage compared to the UAE or Saudi Arabia, but interest is growing rapidly. Omantel is deploying network management platforms with automation capabilities, and progressive enterprise IT teams at PDO and major banks are beginning to implement Ansible-based configuration management and Python scripting for network operations.

For mid-level and senior Network Engineers in Oman, developing automation skills represents a significant opportunity to differentiate and command premium compensation. The relative scarcity of automation-capable Network Engineers in the Omani market means that these skills carry proportionally greater value than in more mature markets where automation has become commonplace.

Benefits That Boost Total Compensation

Oman’s employment benefits significantly enhance total compensation, particularly at oil companies and government entities.

Housing Allowance: OMR 150–400 per month depending on seniority. Oil companies often provide furnished company housing in residential compounds. Muscat apartment rentals are affordable: a two-bedroom apartment in Ruwi, Al Khuwair, or Bausher costs OMR 200–400 per month, while premium apartments in Shatti Al Qurum or Muscat Hills cost OMR 350–550. Housing allowances generally cover a significant portion of rent even in desirable areas.

Transport Allowance: OMR 75–200 per month. A car is essential in Oman, though fuel costs are subsidized and affordable. Some oil companies provide company vehicles for field-based engineers, including 4WD vehicles necessary for accessing remote oil field locations. The scenic drives across Oman’s diverse terrain are a genuine lifestyle bonus for car owners.

Medical Insurance: Employer-provided medical coverage, with quality varying by employer tier. Oil companies and government entities provide premium coverage including dental and dependents at dedicated facilities. Oman’s Sultan Qaboos University Hospital and Royal Hospital provide high-quality government healthcare, supplemented by private hospitals (Muscat Private Hospital, Starcare Hospital, Badr Al Samaa).

Education Allowance: OMR 500–2,000 per child annually. International schools in Muscat (American British Academy, British School Muscat, Sultan’s School, Indian School Muscat) charge tuition of OMR 1,000–3,500 per year, significantly less than UAE or Qatar equivalents. Oil company education benefits are particularly generous, sometimes covering full tuition for multiple children.

Annual Flights: Return flights to the employee’s home country for the employee and dependents. Typical value OMR 200–500 per year. Muscat International Airport, beautifully designed and modern, provides good connectivity to South Asian, European, and African destinations.

End-of-Service Gratuity: Oman labour law mandates 15 days of basic salary per year for the first three years and one month per year thereafter. For a senior Network Engineer earning OMR 1,600 who stays for five years, this amounts to approximately OMR 5,600.

Social Insurance: Oman’s Public Authority for Social Insurance (PASI) mandates employer contributions for Omani employees. Expatriate employees contribute minimally but benefit from workplace injury coverage.

Top Employers for Network Engineers

• Omantel: The Sultanate’s premier telecommunications operator and the largest employer of Network Engineers. Roles span mobile core, radio access, IP backbone, enterprise solutions, data centre networking, and international submarine cable operations. Comprehensive training, certification support, and structured career progression.
• Awasr: Growing operator offering dynamic challenger environment with competitive salaries and broader role scope. Good for engineers seeking rapid exposure to multiple networking domains.
• Vodafone Oman: Partnership presence with potential for Vodafone Group career mobility and access to global technology standards and training resources.

Lifestyle and Living in Oman

Oman’s lifestyle is one of its strongest attractions for Network Engineers. Muscat is consistently rated as one of the safest and most liveable cities in the Middle East. The city is clean, well-organised, and surrounded by dramatic mountain and coastline scenery. The Omani culture is welcoming and hospitable, and the expatriate community, while smaller than Dubai’s, is diverse and well-integrated.

Outdoor enthusiasts thrive in Oman. Weekend activities include wadi swimming (Wadi Shab, Wadi Bani Khalid), mountain trekking (Jebel Shams, Jebel Akhdar), desert camping in the Wahiba Sands, diving and snorkelling in the Musandam Peninsula and Daymaniyat Islands, and coastal kayaking. These activities are free or very low-cost, contributing to a high quality of life on a moderate budget. The country’s natural beauty and cultural heritage (Nizwa Fort, Bahla Fort, Sur dhow building) provide enriching weekend experiences that are distinctly different from the urban entertainment of Dubai or the mall culture of other GCC capitals.

The work-life balance in Oman is generally more favourable than in Dubai or Riyadh. Working hours are typically 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM in the private sector and 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM in government. The pace of business is measured and relationship-oriented, valuing consistency and reliability over aggressive timelines. For Network Engineers who have experienced burnout in high-pressure environments, Oman’s more balanced approach to work can be genuinely restorative.

Career Progression and Growth

Career progression in Oman follows a steady trajectory with opportunities concentrated in telecommunications, oil and gas, and government sectors. Engineers who build deep expertise in one of these domains develop reputations as trusted specialists in the close-knit Omani professional community. The smaller market means that word of mouth and personal reputation carry significant weight in career advancement.

Many Network Engineers use Oman as a strategic long-term base, combining the country’s quality of life with remote consulting or project-based work in other GCC markets. Others build five to seven years of Omani experience and advanced certifications before pursuing premium positions in the UAE or Qatar, leveraging their GCC track record and well-rounded skill set.

Salary Negotiation Strategies

• Emphasize oil and gas experience: If you have any exposure to OT networking, SCADA systems, or industrial network environments, highlight this prominently. PDO and other oil companies pay significant premiums for engineers who understand both IT and OT networking.
• Negotiate housing and education benefits: In Oman, these benefits have outsized impact on total compensation. Oil company housing compounds or generous cash allowances can add OMR 300–500 per month to your effective income. Education coverage for children saves OMR 1,000–3,500 per child per year.
• Calculate savings advantage: Oman’s extremely low cost of living means that a lower base salary can yield equivalent or superior savings to higher-salary positions in more expensive markets. Present this analysis when comparing offers across GCC countries.
• Factor in lifestyle value: Oman’s natural beauty, safety, cultural warmth, and genuine work-life balance are tangible benefits that improve quality of life. While not directly financial, these factors affect long-term wellbeing and career sustainability.

Market Outlook

Oman’s network engineering market is positioned for sustained growth under Oman Vision 2040. The 5G rollout by Omantel and Awasr will require continuous network engineering investment through at least 2028. The oil and gas sector’s digital transformation (IoT sensors, predictive maintenance networks, cloud connectivity for upstream operations) creates specialized demand. Government digital transformation initiatives drive steady network infrastructure investment. Data centre capacity expansion positions Oman for cloud and hosting growth. For Network Engineers seeking a combination of professional growth, financial stability, and an exceptional quality of life in one of the GCC’s most beautiful and welcoming countries, Oman deserves serious consideration.

Detailed Employer Salary Benchmarks

Access exact salary ranges at top Oman network employers including Omantel, Awasr, Petroleum Development Oman (PDO), OQ Group, Bank Muscat IT, and the Information Technology Authority. Data covers base salary, housing allowances (including oil company compound accommodation values), transport, education benefits, field allowances, and total compensation by experience level and certification tier.

Oman Network Engineer Lifestyle Guide

Comprehensive guide to life in Muscat and other Omani cities as a network professional, covering residential areas (Al Khuwair, Bausher, Shatti Al Qurum, Muscat Hills), international school options, healthcare, outdoor activities, the expat community, and detailed monthly budget breakdowns showing savings potential at different income levels.