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The differences between principal 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 principal network engineer and a network manager. Additionally, a principal network engineer has an average salary of $112,094, which is higher than the $97,578 average annual salary of a network manager.
The top three skills for a principal network engineer include linux, lan wan and network infrastructure. The most important skills for a network manager are customer service, fault management, and network infrastructure.
| Principal Network Engineer | Network Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $112,094 | $97,578 |
| Hourly rate | $53.89 | $46.91 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 107,276 | 36,831 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 63% |
| 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 manager is responsible for monitoring the efficient network connection of the company's technology systems, analyzing system designs, and overseeing installation processes and programs. Network managers inspect the efficiency of existing network management systems, upgrading network data to boost optimal performance and communication transportation. A network manager must have excellent knowledge of technology disciplines and should always be updated with the recent technology trends, guiding the network staff on their tasks and immediately resolving system defects and discrepancies.
Principal network engineers and network managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Principal Network Engineer | Network Manager | |
| Average salary | $112,094 | $97,578 |
| Salary range | Between $86,000 And $145,000 | Between $71,000 And $132,000 |
| Highest paying City | Sunnyvale, CA | Menlo Park, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Walmart | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between a principal network engineer and a network manager in terms of educational background:
| Principal Network Engineer | Network Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 63% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Business |
| Most common college | Northeastern University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between principal network engineers' and network managers' demographics:
| Principal Network Engineer | Network Manager | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 93.5% Female, 6.5% | Male, 83.3% Female, 16.7% |
| 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, 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% |