Data network engineer vs network manager

The differences between data 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 data network engineer and a network manager. Additionally, a network manager has an average salary of $97,578, which is higher than the $97,321 average annual salary of a data network engineer.

The top three skills for a data network engineer include BGP, switches and EIGRP. The most important skills for a network manager are customer service, fault management, and network infrastructure.

Data network engineer vs network manager overview

	Data Network Engineer	Network Manager
Yearly salary	$97,321	$97,578
Hourly rate	$46.79	$46.91
Growth rate	5%	5%
Number of jobs	108,729	36,831
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 67%	Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	2	2

Data network engineer vs network manager salary

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

	Data Network Engineer	Network Manager
Average salary	$97,321	$97,578
Salary range	Between $71,000 And $132,000	Between $71,000 And $132,000
Highest paying City	Santa Clara, CA	Menlo Park, CA
Highest paying state	Washington	California
Best paying company	The Knot	Meta
Best paying industry	Technology	Technology

Differences between data network engineer and network manager education

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

	Data Network Engineer	Network Manager
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 67%	Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Most common major	Electrical Engineering	Business
Most common college	Northeastern University	Stanford University

Data network engineer vs network manager demographics

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

	Data Network Engineer	Network Manager
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 86.7% Female, 13.3%	Male, 83.3% Female, 16.7%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 7.9% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.6% Asian, 13.7% White, 61.4% 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 data network engineer and network manager duties and responsibilities

Data network engineer example responsibilities.

Implement and manage Cisco AVVID architecture to support efficient use of VoIP.
Manage router configuration changes, coordinate site surveys develop i-plans, update NOC and engineering documentation to reflect changes.
Review IOS bug notices and upgrade IOS software as needed on Cisco switches and routers.
Configure Cisco ASA VPN certificate authentication access for company-manage mobile devices using CiscoAnyconnect.
Network protocols include TCP/IP, SNA/SDLC, Novell IPX/SPX, X.25.
Evaluate and improve downstream BGP offerings.

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.

Data network engineer vs network manager skills

Common data network engineer skills

BGP, 7%
Switches, 7%
EIGRP, 6%
OSPF, 5%
Data Network, 4%
Nexus, 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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Data Network Engineer vs Network Manager

Updated January 8, 2025

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