Network engineers are more interested in intellectual and creative challenge than they are in boosting their salaries, according to the TechTarget IT Salary Survey 2012.

When asked why they remain in their jobs, 32% of 274 networking professionals pointed to the intellectual challenge. Another 20% said they liked their co-workers enough to stick around. Meanwhile, 13% said a good salary keeps them on the job. The overall survey included 2,277 IT leaders working in 22 industries, with a little over 300 of the respondents identifying themselves as networking professionals.

Networking pros are not alone in their yearning for a creative outlet. Survey wide, 30% of IT professionals said their job satisfaction depends on an intellectual challenge, while another 21% said it comes from enjoying their co-workers. Likewise, 22% said they would only leave their jobs for a new challenge, while 11% said they would leave because they wanted more money.