Junior network administrator vs network engineer

The differences between junior network administrators 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 junior network administrator and a network engineer. Additionally, a network engineer has an average salary of $83,557, which is higher than the $51,121 average annual salary of a junior network administrator.

The top three skills for a junior network administrator include windows server, troubleshoot and network hardware. The most important skills for a network engineer are switches, troubleshoot, and network infrastructure.

Junior network administrator vs network engineer overview

	Junior Network Administrator	Network Engineer
Yearly salary	$51,121	$83,557
Hourly rate	$24.58	$40.17
Growth rate	5%	5%
Number of jobs	121,498	72,346
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 51%	Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	2	2

What does a junior network administrator do?

Junior network administrators are entry-level information technology (IT) professionals who are responsible for assisting senior administrators to establish and set up new computer networks for an organization. These junior administrators are required to monitor computer networks while providing network security to avoid any suspected activities on the computer network systems. They are in charge of purchasing computer components and software that are needed for the daily operations of the organization. Junior network administrators must also educate their non-network employees so that they can properly use computers and perform timely maintenance.

What does a network engineer do?

A network engineer is responsible for managing a network system, monitoring its performance, and upgrading its features to optimize performance and boost efficiency. Network engineers also create new systems, designing them based on clients' specifications and business needs. They also check network defects, perform troubleshooting, improve data security systems, and install security updates. A network engineer must have excellent knowledge of the technology industry, as well as a broad understanding of system codes, programming languages, and network configurations.

Junior network administrator vs network engineer salary

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

	Junior Network Administrator	Network Engineer
Average salary	$51,121	$83,557
Salary range	Between $39,000 And $66,000	Between $62,000 And $111,000
Highest paying City	Costa Mesa, CA	Menlo Park, CA
Highest paying state	New Jersey	California
Best paying company	Exegy	The Citadel
Best paying industry	Finance	Technology

Differences between junior network administrator and network engineer education

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

	Junior Network Administrator	Network Engineer
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 51%	Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Most common major	Computer Information Systems	Electrical Engineering
Most common college	Carnegie Mellon University	California State University - Long Beach

Junior network administrator vs network engineer demographics

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

	Junior Network Administrator	Network Engineer
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 87.7% Female, 12.3%	Male, 90.6% Female, 9.4%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 8.8% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.5% Asian, 11.3% White, 62.1% 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 junior network administrator and network engineer duties and responsibilities

Junior network administrator example responsibilities.

Design and implement VoIP offices, manage unity voice mail and unify messaging system.
Manage production switches and routers during manufacturing facility move to Mexico ensuring uninterrupt service at optimal levels.
Implement and manage clustered virtual machine environments, utilizing multiple operating systems to include server and workstations.
Provide assistance in integration of DNS, DHCP and other IP conflicts.
Key monitor for the maintenance and configuration of a DHCP and DNS server.
Plan and install new networks including servers, patch panels, switches, routers and modems as the customer need.

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.

Junior network administrator vs network engineer skills

Common junior network administrator skills

Windows Server, 7%
Troubleshoot, 6%
Network Hardware, 6%
Switches, 6%
Desk Support, 5%
Remote Desktop, 4%

Common network engineer skills

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

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Junior Network Administrator
Junior Network Administrator vs Network Engineer

Updated January 8, 2025

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