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The differences between cisco network engineers and network administrators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a cisco network engineer and a network administrator. Additionally, a cisco network engineer has an average salary of $98,143, which is higher than the $71,357 average annual salary of a network administrator.
The top three skills for a cisco network engineer include switches, firewall and CCNA. The most important skills for a network administrator are switches, windows server, and troubleshoot.
| Cisco Network Engineer | Network Administrator | |
| Yearly salary | $98,143 | $71,357 |
| Hourly rate | $47.18 | $34.31 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 34,408 | 106,886 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 55% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A Cisco network engineer specializes in designing and developing networks using the Cisco systems. Their responsibilities include meeting with clients to identify their needs and preferences, installing and configuring networks, establishing security protocols, facilitating upgrades, creating test structures for speed and security, and performing software and hardware assessments. They may also conduct maintenance checks and repair networks, providing technical support to staff as needed. Moreover, a Cisco network engineer must oversee and encourage staff to reach goals, all while enforcing the company's policies and regulations.
A network administrator is responsible for managing an organization's computer systems, ensuring its smooth operations and highest efficiency. Network administrators' duties include inspecting network malfunctions, troubleshooting unresponsive programs, improving system processes, analyzing client's specifications, upgrading existing applications, coordinating with the technology department, and creating a report of network issues resolutions. A network administrator should display a strong command of programming languages. Extensive knowledge in the technology industry and analytical and problem-solving skills to manage network problems immediately is also necessary.
Cisco network engineers and network administrators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Cisco Network Engineer | Network Administrator | |
| Average salary | $98,143 | $71,357 |
| Salary range | Between $73,000 And $131,000 | Between $56,000 And $90,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Washington |
| Best paying company | Cisco | |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Finance |
There are a few differences between a cisco network engineer and a network administrator in terms of educational background:
| Cisco Network Engineer | Network Administrator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 55% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between cisco network engineers' and network administrators' demographics:
| Cisco Network Engineer | Network Administrator | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 91.9% Female, 8.1% | Male, 88.6% Female, 11.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.8% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.6% Asian, 13.7% White, 61.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | Black or African American, 8.8% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.5% Asian, 9.6% White, 63.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |