Data communications analyst vs network planner

The differences between data communications analysts and network planners can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a data communications analyst has an average salary of $81,308, which is higher than the $80,488 average annual salary of a network planner.

The top three skills for a data communications analyst include technical support, voip and network infrastructure. The most important skills for a network planner are IP, switches, and project management.

Data communications analyst vs network planner overview

	Data Communications Analyst	Network Planner
Yearly salary	$81,308	$80,488
Hourly rate	$39.09	$38.70
Growth rate	5%	5%
Number of jobs	90,240	36,482
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 55%	Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	-	-

Data communications analyst vs network planner salary

Data communications analysts and network planners have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Data Communications Analyst	Network Planner
Average salary	$81,308	$80,488
Salary range	Between $58,000 And $112,000	Between $52,000 And $124,000
Highest paying City	Baltimore, MD	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	Maryland	Alaska
Best paying company	Meta	Meta
Best paying industry	Start-up	Technology

Differences between data communications analyst and network planner education

There are a few differences between a data communications analyst and a network planner in terms of educational background:

	Data Communications Analyst	Network Planner
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 55%	Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	Georgia Institute of Technology	Stanford University

Data communications analyst vs network planner demographics

Here are the differences between data communications analysts' and network planners' demographics:

	Data Communications Analyst	Network Planner
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 80.7% Female, 19.3%	Male, 73.1% Female, 26.9%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 14.1% Asian, 10.3% White, 60.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%	Black or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 10.3% White, 60.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	7%	7%

Differences between data communications analyst and network planner duties and responsibilities

Data communications analyst example responsibilities.

Implement and manage a centralize hardware management and provisioning system.
Migrate the LAN from token ring to Ethernet and design the new building topology with Cisco.
Configure, install and support Cisco routers for corporate network.
Implement subsequent network upgrade and replacement of hubs and switches.
Set up computers and printers for networking using TCP/IP protocol.
Perform wireless site surveys for multiple office complexes in preparation for wireless VOIP.

Network planner example responsibilities.

Manage Ethernet LANs in high profile company buildings.
Manage and analyze traffic backhaul for Ethernet and SONET circuits in between central offices.
Develop and manage the plan for new technology deployment that convert network backbone to IP.
Manage projects responsible for the customer turn ups of domestic and international customers on all BSLD switches in the network.
Coordinate marketing brainstorming meetings, prepare minutes, manage project follow-up, and create summary PowerPoint presentations.
Create and maintain broadband network trunk diagrams as switches and trunks are add and remove from the network.

Data communications analyst vs network planner skills

Common data communications analyst skills

Technical Support, 12%
VoIP, 9%
Network Infrastructure, 9%
Network Devices, 7%
Disaster Recovery, 7%
Lan Wan, 6%

Common network planner skills

IP, 11%
Switches, 7%
Project Management, 7%
Network Operations, 7%
Ethernet, 5%
Network Infrastructure, 5%

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Data Communications Analyst vs Network Planner

Updated January 8, 2025

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