Data network engineer vs network administrator

The differences between data 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 data network engineer and a network administrator. Additionally, a data network engineer has an average salary of $97,321, which is higher than the $71,357 average annual salary of a network administrator.

The top three skills for a data network engineer include BGP, switches and EIGRP. The most important skills for a network administrator are switches, windows server, and troubleshoot.

Data network engineer vs network administrator overview

	Data Network Engineer	Network Administrator
Yearly salary	$97,321	$71,357
Hourly rate	$46.79	$34.31
Growth rate	5%	5%
Number of jobs	108,729	106,886
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 67%	Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	2	2

Data network engineer vs network administrator salary

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

	Data Network Engineer	Network Administrator
Average salary	$97,321	$71,357
Salary range	Between $71,000 And $132,000	Between $56,000 And $90,000
Highest paying City	Santa Clara, CA	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	Washington	Washington
Best paying company	The Knot	Google
Best paying industry	Technology	Finance

Differences between data network engineer and network administrator education

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

	Data Network Engineer	Network Administrator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 67%	Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Most common major	Electrical Engineering	Computer Science
Most common college	Northeastern University	Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Data network engineer vs network administrator demographics

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

	Data Network Engineer	Network Administrator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 86.7% Female, 13.3%	Male, 88.6% Female, 11.4%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 7.9% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.6% Asian, 13.7% White, 61.4% 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%

Differences between data network engineer and network administrator duties and responsibilities

Data network engineer example responsibilities.

Implement and manage Cisco AVVID architecture to support efficient use of VoIP.
Manage router configuration changes, coordinate site surveys develop i-plans, update NOC and engineering documentation to reflect changes.
Review IOS bug notices and upgrade IOS software as needed on Cisco switches and routers.
Configure Cisco ASA VPN certificate authentication access for company-manage mobile devices using CiscoAnyconnect.
Network protocols include TCP/IP, SNA/SDLC, Novell IPX/SPX, X.25.
Evaluate and improve downstream BGP offerings.

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

Data network engineer vs network administrator skills

Common data network engineer skills

BGP, 7%
Switches, 7%
EIGRP, 6%
OSPF, 5%
Data Network, 4%
Nexus, 4%

Common network administrator skills

Switches, 7%
Windows Server, 6%
Troubleshoot, 5%
Network Hardware, 5%
Routers, 4%
Lan Wan, 4%

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Data Network Engineer vs Network Administrator

Updated January 8, 2025

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