Core network engineer vs network manager

The differences between core network engineers and network managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a core network engineer and a network manager. Additionally, a core network engineer has an average salary of $103,964, which is higher than the $97,578 average annual salary of a network manager.

The top three skills for a core network engineer include IP, java and troubleshoot. The most important skills for a network manager are customer service, fault management, and network infrastructure.

Core network engineer vs network manager overview

	Core Network Engineer	Network Manager
Yearly salary	$103,964	$97,578
Hourly rate	$49.98	$46.91
Growth rate	5%	5%
Number of jobs	34,068	36,831
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 74%	Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	2	2

What does a core network engineer do?

A Core Network Engineer designs and develops the backbone of an establishment's computer network, facilitating connections from one system to another. They conduct research and assessments to identify project requirements, install and maintain networks, establish guidelines and protocols, develop test structures to identify bugs, troubleshoot errors, and provide technical support as needed. It is also their responsibility to implement security systems and policies, all while maintaining records. A Core Engineer often works together with other engineers to strengthen the workflow and quality of networks.

What does a network manager do?

A network manager is responsible for monitoring the efficient network connection of the company's technology systems, analyzing system designs, and overseeing installation processes and programs. Network managers inspect the efficiency of existing network management systems, upgrading network data to boost optimal performance and communication transportation. A network manager must have excellent knowledge of technology disciplines and should always be updated with the recent technology trends, guiding the network staff on their tasks and immediately resolving system defects and discrepancies.

Core network engineer vs network manager salary

Core network engineers and network managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Core Network Engineer	Network Manager
Average salary	$103,964	$97,578
Salary range	Between $78,000 And $137,000	Between $71,000 And $132,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	Menlo Park, CA
Highest paying state	California	California
Best paying company	Flipboard	Meta
Best paying industry	Automotive	Technology

Differences between core network engineer and network manager education

There are a few differences between a core network engineer and a network manager in terms of educational background:

	Core Network Engineer	Network Manager
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 74%	Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Most common major	Electrical Engineering	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	Stanford University

Core network engineer vs network manager demographics

Here are the differences between core network engineers' and network managers' demographics:

	Core Network Engineer	Network Manager
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 85.7% Female, 14.3%	Male, 83.3% Female, 16.7%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 8.0% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.7% Asian, 13.9% White, 61.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%	Black or African American, 9.0% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.7% Asian, 8.7% White, 64.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	9%	9%

Differences between core network engineer and network manager duties and responsibilities

Core network engineer example responsibilities.

Design and manage printer repair and installation for the corporate Nortel campus.
Manage Cisco NAS, QNAP NAS encrypt storage device configurations, perform IOS upgrades.
Provide technical support with managing data from the Verizon LTE network to pass through WiFi access points.
Manage deployment and testing updates for wireless systems, such as WCS, WiSM, and WLC.
Manage marketing and exec team's ad-hoc inquiries via PERL, PL/SQL, SQL and Unix script processes.
Utilize advanced encryption devices to secure communications between all locations manage by the department.

Network manager example responsibilities.

Negotiate and manage customer SLA's.
Manage a remote nationwide team of database Sr.
Manage vendor for all PBX move add and changes.
Manage environment in support of define CDRL's and SLA's.
Lead the architecture design for PCI (payment card industry) compliance.
Manage iRules and VIP setup on F5's and juniper load balance.

Core network engineer vs network manager skills

Common core network engineer skills

IP, 10%
Java, 9%
Troubleshoot, 6%
Linux, 5%
Network Design, 5%
Ethernet, 4%

Common network manager skills

Customer Service, 12%
Fault Management, 6%
Network Infrastructure, 5%
Switches, 4%
Network Hardware, 4%
Project Management, 4%

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Core Network Engineer
Core Network Engineer vs Network Manager

Updated January 8, 2025

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