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The differences between data center engineers and network support 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 data center engineer and a network support engineer. Additionally, a data center engineer has an average salary of $102,788, which is higher than the $86,406 average annual salary of a network support engineer.
The top three skills for a data center engineer include data centers, troubleshoot and HVAC. The most important skills for a network support engineer are switches, network support, and OSPF.
| Data Center Engineer | Network Support Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $102,788 | $86,406 |
| Hourly rate | $49.42 | $41.54 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 178,277 | 113,476 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 59% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
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.
A network support engineer is an information technology expert who designs and develops computer systems, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. Among their responsibilities include performing installations and upgrades, configuring networks, troubleshooting issues, gathering and analyzing data to identify areas needing improvement, and recommending strategies to optimize network operations. They must also provide technical support to staff, address issues and concerns, conduct inspections, and perform repairs. Moreover, a network support engineer must regularly monitor networks while implementing the company's security and safety standards.
Data center engineers and network support engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Data Center Engineer | Network Support Engineer | |
| Average salary | $102,788 | $86,406 |
| Salary range | Between $71,000 And $147,000 | Between $66,000 And $112,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Meta | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between a data center engineer and a network support engineer in terms of educational background:
| Data Center Engineer | Network Support Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 59% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between data center engineers' and network support engineers' demographics:
| Data Center Engineer | Network Support Engineer | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 94.2% Female, 5.8% | Male, 89.2% Female, 10.8% |
| 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, 8.0% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.7% Asian, 13.9% White, 61.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |