Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between senior desktop engineers and network engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a senior desktop engineer, becoming a network engineer takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a senior desktop engineer has an average salary of $114,786, which is higher than the $83,557 average annual salary of a network engineer.
The top three skills for a senior desktop engineer include SCCM, powershell and infrastructure. The most important skills for a network engineer are switches, troubleshoot, and network infrastructure.
| Senior Desktop Engineer | Network Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $114,786 | $83,557 |
| Hourly rate | $55.19 | $40.17 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 264,973 | 72,346 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 52% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Average age | 39 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 2 |
A senior desktop engineer identifies problems within computer systems and troubleshoots technical issues. They may also be responsible for creating software images, developing software, and updating schedules. This position requires knowledge in network troubleshooting, DNA storage, and problem-solving skills.
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.
Senior desktop engineers and network engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Desktop Engineer | Network Engineer | |
| Average salary | $114,786 | $83,557 |
| Salary range | Between $87,000 And $151,000 | Between $62,000 And $111,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Menlo Park, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Bloomberg | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Technology |
There are a few differences between a senior desktop engineer and a network engineer in terms of educational background:
| Senior Desktop Engineer | Network Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 52% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Stanford University | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between senior desktop engineers' and network engineers' demographics:
| Senior Desktop Engineer | Network Engineer | |
| Average age | 39 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 93.9% Female, 6.1% | Male, 90.6% Female, 9.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.5% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.2% Asian, 29.9% White, 52.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | 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 | 8% | 9% |