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The differences between data center engineers and engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a data center engineer, becoming an engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a data center engineer has an average salary of $102,788, which is higher than the $92,077 average annual salary of an engineer.
The top three skills for a data center engineer include data centers, troubleshoot and HVAC. The most important skills for an engineer are python, cloud, and C++.
| Data Center Engineer | Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $102,788 | $92,077 |
| Hourly rate | $49.42 | $44.27 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 178,277 | 618,207 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4.33 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 59% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Average age | 43 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 6 |
A data center engineer is responsible for managing the efficiency and optimal performance of the network data systems of an organization. Data center engineers ensure the safety and security of the database to prevent unauthorized access and suspicious activities within the network that may pose risks for the business. They assess the navigation of the servers, conduct regular maintenance, and perform immediate troubleshooting for glitches to avoid any delays in the operation. A data center engineer must have excellent communication and technical skills, especially in writing data resolution for reference and configuration.
Engineers are highly trained professionals who determine the feasibility of various projects, usually related to the construction industry. They are considered experts in mathematics and science, two disciplines that they need to use in designing and coming up with plans for projects. They should also be well-versed in different construction or industrial materials, and they ensure that appropriate materials are used for the project. They also ensure that the projects meet the requirements of the groups that hired them. They create spaces that would both address the needs of the end-users and the industry standards. They also ensure that the projects they make would stand the test of time.
Data center engineers and engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Data Center Engineer | Engineer | |
| Average salary | $102,788 | $92,077 |
| Salary range | Between $71,000 And $147,000 | Between $65,000 And $130,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Huntsville, AL |
| Highest paying state | California | New Hampshire |
| Best paying company | Meta | Fort Bend County |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a data center engineer and an engineer in terms of educational background:
| Data Center Engineer | Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 59% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between data center engineers' and engineers' demographics:
| Data Center Engineer | Engineer | |
| Average age | 43 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 94.2% Female, 5.8% | Male, 86.3% Female, 13.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.6% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.3% Asian, 11.0% White, 62.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | Black or African American, 3.3% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 15.0% White, 67.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 5% |