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Senior data center engineer vs network support engineer

The differences between senior data center 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 senior data center engineer and a network support engineer. Additionally, a senior data center engineer has an average salary of $103,215, which is higher than the $86,406 average annual salary of a network support engineer.

The top three skills for a senior data center engineer include windows, vmware esxi and nexus. The most important skills for a network support engineer are switches, network support, and OSPF.

Senior data center engineer vs network support engineer overview

Senior Data Center EngineerNetwork Support Engineer
Yearly salary$103,215$86,406
Hourly rate$49.62$41.54
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs139,255113,476
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Average age4343
Years of experience22

What does a senior data center engineer do?

A senior data center engineer specializes in designing and developing systems and networks to optimize data center operations. It is their responsibility to set guidelines and objectives, identify and understand the needs of facilities, conduct research and analyses, develop prototypes and test structures, troubleshoot problems, perform installations and repairs, and conduct regular maintenance checks on systems. Moreover, a senior data center engineer oversees projects and leads junior engineers to reach goals, all while implementing the company's data security policies and regulations.

What does a network support engineer do?

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.

Senior data center engineer vs network support engineer salary

Senior data center engineers and network support engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Senior Data Center EngineerNetwork Support Engineer
Average salary$103,215$86,406
Salary rangeBetween $75,000 And $140,000Between $66,000 And $112,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateIdahoCalifornia
Best paying companyCDWMeta
Best paying industryProfessionalTechnology

Differences between senior data center engineer and network support engineer education

There are a few differences between a senior data center engineer and a network support engineer in terms of educational background:

Senior Data Center EngineerNetwork Support Engineer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Most common majorElectrical EngineeringElectrical Engineering
Most common collegeNortheastern UniversityUniversity of Pennsylvania

Senior data center engineer vs network support engineer demographics

Here are the differences between senior data center engineers' and network support engineers' demographics:

Senior Data Center EngineerNetwork Support Engineer
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 97.9% Female, 2.1%Male, 89.2% Female, 10.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.9% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.6% Asian, 11.0% White, 62.2% 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 Percentage9%9%

Differences between senior data center engineer and network support engineer duties and responsibilities

Senior data center engineer example responsibilities.

  • Excele at managing major network-wide upgrades; improve speed and predictability of multicast and order-routing data.
  • Install OS and configure raid setup of Redhat linux, freebsd and windows servers for cloning.
  • Implement storage designs for Virtualization environments running Vmware services on ESX servers.
  • Support in installation of packages/patches on LINUX platforms.
  • Work using VMWare platform, configuring security and network designs.
  • Assist in rolling out custom PXE boot Linux workstation environment for data center staff.
  • Show more

Network support engineer example responsibilities.

  • Manage, support, upgrade and administer DNS and DHCP for all devices on the network.
  • Manage a remote VOIP trial which include configuring and supporting customer premise equipment as well as carrier side equipment.
  • Manage and administrate security policy and procedures for all VPN network connectivity and accounts.
  • Create strong relationship with customers by resolving TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP relate problems through remote desktop and on site.
  • Use various forms of Linux operating systems to create firewalls, webservers, PBX, and VPN.
  • Set up VLANs and STP guards on core and access layer switches - change configurations when require.
  • Show more

Senior data center engineer vs network support engineer skills

Common senior data center engineer skills
  • Windows, 14%
  • Vmware Esxi, 14%
  • Nexus, 12%
  • Project Management, 11%
  • VMware, 10%
  • OS, 9%
Common network support engineer skills
  • Switches, 7%
  • Network Support, 5%
  • OSPF, 4%
  • BGP, 4%
  • Technical Support, 4%
  • TCP/IP, 4%

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