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The differences between computer administrators 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 computer administrator and a network administrator. Additionally, a computer administrator has an average salary of $86,150, which is higher than the $71,357 average annual salary of a network administrator.
The top three skills for a computer administrator include CAD, troubleshoot and printers. The most important skills for a network administrator are switches, windows server, and troubleshoot.
| Computer Administrator | Network Administrator | |
| Yearly salary | $86,150 | $71,357 |
| Hourly rate | $41.42 | $34.31 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 88,405 | 106,886 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 50% | Bachelor's Degree, 55% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
Computer administrators oversee the daily operation of computer networks. These administrators manage the configuration and upkeep of such networks, including updating equipment and software and identifying and resolving issues. They determine what an organization requires in both a network and a computer system before setting it up and configuring it. Also, they are responsible for all installation tasks, recording data, evaluating problems identified by users, and making various troubleshooting attempts to solve them. The skills that they must excel in are technical, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
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.
Computer administrators and network administrators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Computer Administrator | Network Administrator | |
| Average salary | $86,150 | $71,357 |
| Salary range | Between $62,000 And $118,000 | Between $56,000 And $90,000 |
| Highest paying City | Mountain View, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Washington |
| Best paying company | ||
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Finance |
There are a few differences between a computer administrator and a network administrator in terms of educational background:
| Computer Administrator | Network Administrator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 50% | 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 computer administrators' and network administrators' demographics:
| Computer Administrator | Network Administrator | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 72.4% Female, 27.6% | Male, 88.6% Female, 11.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.9% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.6% Asian, 10.3% White, 62.9% 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% |