Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between principal network engineers and principal systems 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 principal systems engineer. Additionally, a principal systems engineer has an average salary of $133,208, which is higher than the $112,094 average annual salary of a principal network engineer.
The top three skills for a principal network engineer include linux, lan wan and network infrastructure. The most important skills for a principal systems engineer are systems engineering, DOD, and C++.
| Principal Network Engineer | Principal Systems Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $112,094 | $133,208 |
| Hourly rate | $53.89 | $64.04 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 107,276 | 146,444 |
| 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.
A Principal Systems Engineer supervises a group of other engineers in technical projects. They develop and lead systems engineering projects and efforts.
Principal network engineers and principal systems engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Principal Network Engineer | Principal Systems Engineer | |
| Average salary | $112,094 | $133,208 |
| Salary range | Between $86,000 And $145,000 | Between $97,000 And $181,000 |
| Highest paying City | Sunnyvale, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Walmart | eBay |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Telecommunication |
There are a few differences between a principal network engineer and a principal systems engineer in terms of educational background:
| Principal Network Engineer | Principal Systems Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northeastern University | Northeastern University |
Here are the differences between principal network engineers' and principal systems engineers' demographics:
| Principal Network Engineer | Principal Systems Engineer | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 93.5% Female, 6.5% | Male, 89.7% Female, 10.3% |
| 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, 8.3% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 12.1% Asian, 12.8% White, 61.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |