Computer network specialist vs network security engineer

The differences between computer network specialists and network security engineers 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 specialist and a network security engineer. Additionally, a network security engineer has an average salary of $88,322, which is higher than the $60,733 average annual salary of a computer network specialist.

The top three skills for a computer network specialist include computer system, customer service and computer network. The most important skills for a network security engineer are network security, windows, and cisco asa.

Computer network specialist vs network security engineer overview

	Computer Network Specialist	Network Security Engineer
Yearly salary	$60,733	$88,322
Hourly rate	$29.20	$42.46
Growth rate	5%	5%
Number of jobs	84,242	91,892
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 48%	Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	2	2

Computer network specialist vs network security engineer salary

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

	Computer Network Specialist	Network Security Engineer
Average salary	$60,733	$88,322
Salary range	Between $43,000 And $85,000	Between $64,000 And $120,000
Highest paying City	San Jose, CA	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	West Virginia	California
Best paying company	Softential	The Knot
Best paying industry	Technology	Retail

Differences between computer network specialist and network security engineer education

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

	Computer Network Specialist	Network Security Engineer
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 48%	Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Most common major	Computer Science	Computer Science
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Computer network specialist vs network security engineer demographics

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

	Computer Network Specialist	Network Security Engineer
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 85.1% Female, 14.9%	Male, 90.7% Female, 9.3%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.8% Asian, 8.7% White, 64.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%	Black or African American, 8.0% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.7% Asian, 13.9% White, 61.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	9%	9%

Differences between computer network specialist and network security engineer duties and responsibilities

Computer network specialist example responsibilities.

Lead the Linux desktop team in both training and deployment as well as end user support.
Lead effort to develop and maintain client's database by customizing existing computer information systems to support operating objectives.
Engineer network projects including cable, socket and patch panel terminations including configuration of network routers, and switches and firewalls.
Implement hardware, software and network solutions, wire, wireless, and remote access, routers, switches, cabling.
Install and document 80 Cat5 Ethernet drops.
Load image on new PCs and other electronic devices.

Network security engineer example responsibilities.

Add and manage nodes in SolarWinds for monitoring purposes using SNMP v1/v2/v3.
Work with VMware NSX with deployment of greenfield environment and managing and troubleshooting issues with NSX.
Interact successfully with both program leads and DoD customer to ensure objectives are completed on time.
Experience in managing and troubleshooting Linux or Unix base operating systems.
Manage information technology security, including backups, firewalls, and routers.
Design and manage information systems security policy, implementation, and management for a globally distribute MPLS infrastructure.

Computer network specialist vs network security engineer skills

Common computer network specialist skills

Computer System, 11%
Customer Service, 9%
Computer Network, 9%
Technical Support, 9%
Switches, 5%
Troubleshoot, 4%

Common network security engineer skills

Network Security, 10%
Windows, 5%
Cisco Asa, 4%
Switches, 4%
Linux, 4%
Troubleshoot, 3%

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Computer Network Specialist vs Network Security Engineer

Updated January 8, 2025

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