Data systems technician vs network engineer

The differences between data systems technicians and network 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 data systems technician and a network engineer. Additionally, a network engineer has an average salary of $83,557, which is higher than the $67,860 average annual salary of a data systems technician.

The top three skills for a data systems technician include computer system, user accounts and troubleshoot. The most important skills for a network engineer are switches, troubleshoot, and network infrastructure.

Data systems technician vs network engineer overview

	Data Systems Technician	Network Engineer
Yearly salary	$67,860	$83,557
Hourly rate	$32.62	$40.17
Growth rate	5%	5%
Number of jobs	158,555	72,346
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 45%	Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	2	2

Data systems technician vs network engineer salary

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

	Data Systems Technician	Network Engineer
Average salary	$67,860	$83,557
Salary range	Between $46,000 And $98,000	Between $62,000 And $111,000
Highest paying City	-	Menlo Park, CA
Highest paying state	-	California
Best paying company	-	The Citadel
Best paying industry	-	Technology

Differences between data systems technician and network engineer education

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

	Data Systems Technician	Network Engineer
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 45%	Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Most common major	Electrical Engineering	Electrical Engineering
Most common college	Stanford University	California State University - Long Beach

Data systems technician vs network engineer demographics

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

	Data Systems Technician	Network Engineer
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 87.9% Female, 12.1%	Male, 90.6% Female, 9.4%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 8.9% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.6% Asian, 8.8% White, 64.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%	Black or African American, 7.9% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.6% Asian, 13.7% White, 61.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	9%	9%

Differences between data systems technician and network engineer duties and responsibilities

Data systems technician example responsibilities.

Manage certificate revocation list, update expired certificates, ensuring DMS availability.
Promote to QC role within several weeks.
Enter client orders into system and run reports of delinquent customers.
Install, maintain and upgrade Pc's on a Novell network.
Enter information into DP3 system, run batch jobs to complete the process.
Support the successful rollout of borough applications and customizations using Novell solutions such as Novell Groupwise and Zenworks.

Network engineer example responsibilities.

Manage UCCE deployments which include CUCM, IPIVR, CVP , 3rd party reporting and CUIC.
Manage UNIX's projects to meet project dateline while solving daily network crisis.
Perform the tasks of designing, implementing, supporting, and managing networking and telecommunication infrastructure.
Manage all domain registrations, SSL certificate management.
Create locally manage and centrally manage gateways on checkpoint firewall.
Manage and administrate security policy and procedures for all VPN network connectivity and accounts.

Data systems technician vs network engineer skills

Common data systems technician skills

Computer System, 12%
User Accounts, 7%
Troubleshoot, 5%
Preventive Maintenance, 5%
Level Troubleshooting, 5%
SQL, 5%

Common network engineer skills

Switches, 7%
Troubleshoot, 5%
Network Infrastructure, 4%
BGP, 4%
OSPF, 4%
Lan Wan, 4%

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Data Systems Technician
Data Systems Technician vs Network Engineer

Updated January 8, 2025

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