Post job

Computer network specialist vs network technician

The differences between computer network specialists 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 computer network specialist and a network technician. Additionally, a network technician has an average salary of $68,938, 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 technician are customer service, switches, and troubleshoot.

Computer network specialist vs network technician overview

Computer Network SpecialistNetwork Technician
Yearly salary$60,733$68,938
Hourly rate$29.20$33.14
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs84,24279,712
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 48%Bachelor's Degree, 50%
Average age4343
Years of experience22

Computer network specialist vs network technician salary

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

Computer Network SpecialistNetwork Technician
Average salary$60,733$68,938
Salary rangeBetween $43,000 And $85,000Between $51,000 And $92,000
Highest paying CitySan Jose, CAUrban Honolulu, HI
Highest paying stateWest VirginiaHawaii
Best paying companySoftentialApple
Best paying industryTechnologyFinance

Differences between computer network specialist and network technician education

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

Computer Network SpecialistNetwork Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 48%Bachelor's Degree, 50%
Most common majorComputer ScienceComputer Science
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Computer network specialist vs network technician demographics

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

Computer Network SpecialistNetwork Technician
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 85.1% Female, 14.9%Male, 87.3% Female, 12.7%
Race ratioBlack 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, 8.9% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.6% Asian, 9.4% White, 63.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between computer network specialist and network technician 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.
  • Show more

Network technician example responsibilities.

  • Install and manage DHCP servers including setting up DHCP scopes, enabling DHCP clients, viewing and managing active leases.
  • Manage city wide IIS deployment.
  • Manage Virtualization system, using ESX server/client.
  • Install, configure and manage Symantec Antivirus on all network computers
  • Use Symantec BackupExec to manage and maintain all server backups and file restorations.
  • Manage company Cisco series routers, switches, and ASA firewall integrate into MPLS network.
  • Show more

Computer network specialist vs network technician skills

Common computer network specialist skills
  • Computer System, 11%
  • Customer Service, 9%
  • Computer Network, 9%
  • Technical Support, 9%
  • Switches, 5%
  • Troubleshoot, 4%
Common network technician skills
  • Customer Service, 9%
  • Switches, 6%
  • Troubleshoot, 6%
  • Routers, 4%
  • Lan Wan, 3%
  • Lan, 3%

Browse computer and mathematical jobs