Post job

Computer network engineer vs network administrator

The differences between computer 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 computer network engineer and a network administrator. Additionally, a computer network engineer has an average salary of $78,373, which is higher than the $71,357 average annual salary of a network administrator.

The top three skills for a computer network engineer include linux, network troubleshooting and ethernet. The most important skills for a network administrator are switches, windows server, and troubleshoot.

Computer network engineer vs network administrator overview

Computer Network EngineerNetwork Administrator
Yearly salary$78,373$71,357
Hourly rate$37.68$34.31
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs97,209106,886
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 53%Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Average age4343
Years of experience22

Computer network engineer vs network administrator salary

Computer network engineers and network administrators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Computer Network EngineerNetwork Administrator
Average salary$78,373$71,357
Salary rangeBetween $59,000 And $103,000Between $56,000 And $90,000
Highest paying CityPawtucket, RISan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateRhode IslandWashington
Best paying companyAmazonGoogle
Best paying industryFinanceFinance

Differences between computer network engineer and network administrator education

There are a few differences between a computer network engineer and a network administrator in terms of educational background:

Computer Network EngineerNetwork Administrator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 53%Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Most common majorElectrical EngineeringComputer Science
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaMassachusetts Institute of Technology

Computer network engineer vs network administrator demographics

Here are the differences between computer network engineers' and network administrators' demographics:

Computer Network EngineerNetwork Administrator
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 90.3% Female, 9.7%Male, 88.6% Female, 11.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.5% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 12.2% Asian, 12.3% White, 61.8% 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 Percentage9%9%

Differences between computer network engineer and network administrator duties and responsibilities

Computer network engineer example responsibilities.

  • Manage & monitor database servers and perform weekly/monthly data backup schedules and recovery strategies.
  • Set up and configure new hardware including servers, routers, switches, workstations.
  • Integrate, upgrade and maintain existing CISCO routers, switches and other lab equipment.
  • Install and configure OS and application software.
  • Work with Unix and Microsoft software and servers.
  • Configure, troubleshoot, upgrade, and maintain the network hardware/software systems
  • Show more

Network administrator example responsibilities.

  • Lead and manage desktop standards project.
  • Manage backups using EMC Networker and Avamar.
  • Manage Solarwinds to monitor servers and networks for all locations.
  • Manage all provisioning and technical issues for new customer IP blocks.
  • Deploy and manage storage (windows file servers and NetApp NAS).
  • Manage all technology: Novell, Microsoft, Cisco, email, library, labs, dorms, programs
  • Show more

Computer network engineer vs network administrator skills

Common computer network engineer skills
  • Linux, 9%
  • Network Troubleshooting, 8%
  • Ethernet, 7%
  • Tcp Ip, 5%
  • PC, 5%
  • Troubleshoot, 5%
Common network administrator skills
  • Switches, 7%
  • Windows Server, 6%
  • Troubleshoot, 5%
  • Network Hardware, 5%
  • Routers, 4%
  • Lan Wan, 4%

Browse computer and mathematical jobs