Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between cisco network engineers and network technicians 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 technician. Additionally, a cisco network engineer has an average salary of $98,143, which is higher than the $68,938 average annual salary of a network technician.
The top three skills for a cisco network engineer include switches, firewall and CCNA. The most important skills for a network technician are customer service, switches, and troubleshoot.
| Cisco Network Engineer | Network Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $98,143 | $68,938 |
| Hourly rate | $47.18 | $33.14 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 34,408 | 79,712 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 50% |
| 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 technician is responsible for system malfunction diagnosis and troubleshooting operations. Network technicians duties' include repairing damaged system components, analyzing computer systems and blueprints, installing network connections, and upgrading accessories for efficient operations. Other duties include assisting customers with technical issues, ensuring computer systems' privacy, creating documents of network issues and resolutions, and suggesting alternative equipment for network backups. A network technician must have a broad knowledge of the technology industry and mechanical processes, plus the ability to work under pressure with minimal supervision.
Cisco network engineers and network technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Cisco Network Engineer | Network Technician | |
| Average salary | $98,143 | $68,938 |
| Salary range | Between $73,000 And $131,000 | Between $51,000 And $92,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Urban Honolulu, HI |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Cisco | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Finance |
There are a few differences between a cisco network engineer and a network technician in terms of educational background:
| Cisco Network Engineer | Network Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 50% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Stanford University | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between cisco network engineers' and network technicians' demographics:
| Cisco Network Engineer | Network Technician | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 91.9% Female, 8.1% | Male, 87.3% Female, 12.7% |
| 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, 8.9% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.6% Asian, 9.4% White, 63.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |