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The differences between principal network engineers and information 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 principal network engineer and an information engineer. Additionally, a principal network engineer has an average salary of $112,094, which is higher than the $105,003 average annual salary of an information engineer.
The top three skills for a principal network engineer include linux, lan wan and network infrastructure. The most important skills for an information engineer are customer service, linux, and troubleshoot.
| Principal Network Engineer | Information Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $112,094 | $105,003 |
| Hourly rate | $53.89 | $50.48 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 107,276 | 151,357 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
In the information technology industry, a principal network engineer specializes in designing and developing networks and systems in adherence to client or company needs. Their responsibilities include gathering and analyzing data, developing standard procedures and test structures, performing installations and upgrades, identifying the strengths and weaknesses of existing networks, and implementing solutions against its vulnerable areas. They may also conduct regular maintenance checks and repairs, provide technical support to staff, and train junior engineers. Moreover, they must lead and encourage information technology teams to reach goals while enforcing the company's security policies and regulations.
An information engineer is responsible for monitoring the efficiency of computer systems and network infrastructure, performing configuration to boost the optimal performance of the technology systems. Information engineers assist end-users in resolving network issues, identifying the source of inconsistencies, and create resolution reports for reference to avoid reoccurrence. They also design new network systems according to business needs and client specifications, running multiple diagnostic tests to ensure effectiveness before the release of final deliverables. An information engineer should have excellent technical skills, as well as a strong command of programming languages and system codes.
Principal network engineers and information engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Principal Network Engineer | Information Engineer | |
| Average salary | $112,094 | $105,003 |
| Salary range | Between $86,000 And $145,000 | Between $78,000 And $139,000 |
| Highest paying City | Sunnyvale, CA | Richmond, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Walmart | Mayo Clinic |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between a principal network engineer and an information engineer in terms of educational background:
| Principal Network Engineer | Information Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Northeastern University | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between principal network engineers' and information engineers' demographics:
| Principal Network Engineer | Information Engineer | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 93.5% Female, 6.5% | Male, 85.8% Female, 14.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.7% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.4% Asian, 11.1% White, 62.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | Black or African American, 7.8% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.6% Asian, 13.6% White, 61.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |