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The differences between cisco network engineers and systems engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a cisco network engineer and a systems engineer. Additionally, a cisco network engineer has an average salary of $98,143, which is higher than the $82,834 average annual salary of a systems engineer.
The top three skills for a cisco network engineer include switches, firewall and CCNA. The most important skills for a systems engineer are python, linux, and C++.
| Cisco Network Engineer | Systems Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $98,143 | $82,834 |
| Hourly rate | $47.18 | $39.82 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 21% |
| Number of jobs | 34,408 | 145,936 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Average age | 43 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A Cisco network engineer specializes in designing and developing networks using the Cisco systems. Their responsibilities include meeting with clients to identify their needs and preferences, installing and configuring networks, establishing security protocols, facilitating upgrades, creating test structures for speed and security, and performing software and hardware assessments. They may also conduct maintenance checks and repair networks, providing technical support to staff as needed. Moreover, a Cisco network engineer must oversee and encourage staff to reach goals, all while enforcing the company's policies and regulations.
Systems engineers are responsible for creating and overseeing systems related to the overall operations of the organization. They are in charge of assessing the organization's needs in terms of systems and creating plans to address these needs. These systems are usually related to the production or manufacturing of company products. Systems engineers create end-to-end processes that ensure efficiency and effectiveness. They make sure that the processes they put in place adhere to safety and security policies and guidelines. They also do routine checks and continuously find ways to further improve production and other systems.
Cisco network engineers and systems engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Cisco Network Engineer | Systems Engineer | |
| Average salary | $98,143 | $82,834 |
| Salary range | Between $73,000 And $131,000 | Between $62,000 And $109,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | California |
| Best paying company | Cisco | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a cisco network engineer and a systems engineer in terms of educational background:
| Cisco Network Engineer | Systems Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Stanford University | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between cisco network engineers' and systems engineers' demographics:
| Cisco Network Engineer | Systems Engineer | |
| Average age | 43 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 91.9% Female, 8.1% | Male, 86.1% Female, 13.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.8% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.6% Asian, 13.7% White, 61.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | Black or African American, 4.7% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 8.4% Asian, 29.7% White, 52.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 8% |