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The differences between wireless network engineers and network 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 wireless network engineer and a network engineer. Additionally, a wireless network engineer has an average salary of $101,117, which is higher than the $83,557 average annual salary of a network engineer.
The top three skills for a wireless network engineer include RF, wireless network and switches. The most important skills for a network engineer are switches, troubleshoot, and network infrastructure.
| Wireless Network Engineer | Network Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $101,117 | $83,557 |
| Hourly rate | $48.61 | $40.17 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 43,368 | 72,346 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A Wireless Network Engineer specializes in designing and developing wireless telecommunication systems and networks. They are responsible for understanding the client or company's needs, performing installations and upgrades, configuring wireless equipment, conducting assessments and inspections, troubleshooting problems, and performing corrective measures and adjustments as necessary. They must also create strategies to optimize local wireless networks, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. Wireless Network Engineers must manage and lead staff to reach goals, all while promoting and implementing the company's policies and regulations.
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.
Wireless network engineers and network engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Wireless Network Engineer | Network Engineer | |
| Average salary | $101,117 | $83,557 |
| Salary range | Between $77,000 And $132,000 | Between $62,000 And $111,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Menlo Park, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Meta | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Technology |
There are a few differences between a wireless network engineer and a network engineer in terms of educational background:
| Wireless Network Engineer | Network Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between wireless network engineers' and network engineers' demographics:
| Wireless Network Engineer | Network Engineer | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 89.7% Female, 10.3% | Male, 90.6% Female, 9.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.9% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.7% Asian, 13.8% White, 61.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | 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 | 9% | 9% |