Data network engineer vs network technician

The differences between data network engineers 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 data network engineer and a network technician. Additionally, a data network engineer has an average salary of $97,321, which is higher than the $68,938 average annual salary of a network technician.

The top three skills for a data network engineer include BGP, switches and EIGRP. The most important skills for a network technician are customer service, switches, and troubleshoot.

Data network engineer vs network technician overview

	Data Network Engineer	Network Technician
Yearly salary	$97,321	$68,938
Hourly rate	$46.79	$33.14
Growth rate	5%	5%
Number of jobs	108,729	79,712
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 67%	Bachelor's Degree, 50%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	2	2

Data network engineer vs network technician salary

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

	Data Network Engineer	Network Technician
Average salary	$97,321	$68,938
Salary range	Between $71,000 And $132,000	Between $51,000 And $92,000
Highest paying City	Santa Clara, CA	Urban Honolulu, HI
Highest paying state	Washington	Hawaii
Best paying company	The Knot	Apple
Best paying industry	Technology	Finance

Differences between data network engineer and network technician education

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

	Data Network Engineer	Network Technician
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 67%	Bachelor's Degree, 50%
Most common major	Electrical Engineering	Computer Science
Most common college	Northeastern University	University of Pennsylvania

Data network engineer vs network technician demographics

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

	Data Network Engineer	Network Technician
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 86.7% Female, 13.3%	Male, 87.3% Female, 12.7%
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, 8.9% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.6% Asian, 9.4% White, 63.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	9%	9%

Differences between data network engineer and network technician 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 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.

Data network engineer vs network technician skills

Common data network engineer skills

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

Common network technician skills

Customer Service, 9%
Switches, 6%
Troubleshoot, 6%
Routers, 4%
Lan Wan, 3%
Lan, 3%

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Data Network Engineer
Data Network Engineer vs Network Technician

Updated January 8, 2025

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