Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between principal network 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 principal network engineer and a network support engineer. Additionally, a principal network engineer has an average salary of $112,094, which is higher than the $86,406 average annual salary of a network support engineer.
The top three skills for a principal network engineer include linux, lan wan and network infrastructure. The most important skills for a network support engineer are switches, network support, and OSPF.
| Principal Network Engineer | Network Support Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $112,094 | $86,406 |
| Hourly rate | $53.89 | $41.54 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 107,276 | 113,476 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| 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 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.
Principal network engineers and network support engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Principal Network Engineer | Network Support Engineer | |
| Average salary | $112,094 | $86,406 |
| Salary range | Between $86,000 And $145,000 | Between $66,000 And $112,000 |
| Highest paying City | Sunnyvale, CA | San Francisco, 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 support engineer in terms of educational background:
| Principal Network Engineer | Network Support Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northeastern University | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between principal network engineers' and network support engineers' demographics:
| Principal Network Engineer | Network Support Engineer | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 93.5% Female, 6.5% | Male, 89.2% Female, 10.8% |
| 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, 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% |