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The differences between principal network engineers and network 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 a network engineer. Additionally, a principal network engineer has an average salary of $112,094, which is higher than the $83,557 average annual salary of a network engineer.
The top three skills for a principal network engineer include linux, lan wan and network infrastructure. The most important skills for a network engineer are switches, troubleshoot, and network infrastructure.
| Principal Network Engineer | Network Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $112,094 | $83,557 |
| Hourly rate | $53.89 | $40.17 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 107,276 | 72,346 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| 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.
A network engineer is responsible for managing a network system, monitoring its performance, and upgrading its features to optimize performance and boost efficiency. Network engineers also create new systems, designing them based on clients' specifications and business needs. They also check network defects, perform troubleshooting, improve data security systems, and install security updates. A network engineer must have excellent knowledge of the technology industry, as well as a broad understanding of system codes, programming languages, and network configurations.
Principal network engineers and network engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Principal Network Engineer | Network Engineer | |
| Average salary | $112,094 | $83,557 |
| Salary range | Between $86,000 And $145,000 | Between $62,000 And $111,000 |
| Highest paying City | Sunnyvale, CA | Menlo Park, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Walmart | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between a principal network engineer and a network engineer in terms of educational background:
| Principal Network Engineer | Network Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northeastern University | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between principal network engineers' and network engineers' demographics:
| Principal Network Engineer | Network Engineer | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 93.5% Female, 6.5% | Male, 90.6% Female, 9.4% |
| 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, 7.9% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.6% Asian, 13.7% White, 61.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |