AT&T's Tech Hiring Push: Salaries for Software Engineers and Network Workers Revealed

AT&T is hiring hundreds of tech workers to overhaul its network for the age of fiber and 5G. Software engineers can earn a base salary of $207,000, according to filings. Work visa data shows the company pays for roles in software, data, and networking. AT&T is building a new network architecture with software-based solutions that are more centrally managed. The company is seeking 345 workers through the H-1B visa program, largely in software development, IT, and network engineering.

AT&T is aggressively hiring hundreds of tech workers to overhaul its network for the age of fiber and 5G. The company is seeking to fill 345 positions through the H-1B visa program, primarily in software development, IT, and network engineering [1]. According to company filings, a software engineer can earn a base salary of $207,000.

AT&T's technology chief, Jeremy Legg, described the opportunity as "once-in-a-lifetime" at a KeyBanc tech conference. The company is transitioning from its legacy infrastructure of copper wires and dedicated switches to a new network architecture based on software solutions that are more centrally managed. This shift is crucial for meeting the demands of the 21st century for speed and mobility [1].

The company lists nearly 1,700 open jobs on its careers website as of August 14, with 360 openings in US-based corporate and technology roles. Most of the positions listed in the H-1B data are in Dallas-area offices, while about 15% of the jobs are in the Atlanta area [1].

Salary data provides insights into the compensation for various roles. For instance, software engineers can earn as much as $207,000 a year, while senior software engineers can make between $132,700 and $158,000. Lead software engineers can expect to earn between $143,800 and $185,000. Big data and AI engineers can make around $197,000 a year, with senior data/AI engineers earning between $138,699 and $162,932. Senior IT project managers can make upward of $124,000 a year, while network architects can earn $102,000 or more annually [1].

Data scientists and analysts can make over $208,000 annually, with senior data analysts earning between $134,322 and $145,010, and senior data scientists earning between $148,043 and $190,660. Directors can earn as much as $275,000 a year, with associate directors in tech product management earning between $198,950 and $221,652 [1].

In addition to tech roles, AT&T is also hiring for 5G tower climbers. According to ZipRecruiter, the average wage for these positions is $25.17 an hour, with wages ranging from $11.54 to $35.34 [2].

The company's aggressive hiring strategy and competitive salary offers reflect its commitment to modernizing its infrastructure and staying competitive in the rapidly evolving telecommunications industry.

References:
[1] https://www.businessinsider.com/att-salaries-revealed-how-much-pay-tech-workers-make-2025-8
[2] https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Jobs/Urgently-Hiring-5G-Tower-Climber