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The differences between junior network administrators and network support 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 junior network administrator and a network support technician. Additionally, a junior network administrator has an average salary of $51,121, which is higher than the $48,622 average annual salary of a network support technician.
The top three skills for a junior network administrator include windows server, troubleshoot and network hardware. The most important skills for a network support technician are troubleshoot, technical support, and customer service.
| Junior Network Administrator | Network Support Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $51,121 | $48,622 |
| Hourly rate | $24.58 | $23.38 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 121,498 | 120,245 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 51% | Bachelor's Degree, 50% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
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.
A network support technician specializes in optimizing a company's information technology (IT) networks for a smooth and efficient workflow. Their responsibilities revolve around addressing issues and concerns, troubleshooting, installing systems, executing upgrades, conducting diagnostic tests, and performing corrective measures as needed. They must also coordinate with staff in developing new IT systems, evaluate existing networks for areas needing improvement, and develop protocols while adhering to the company's policies and regulations. Furthermore, as a network support technician, it is essential to maintain regular network maintenance checks to ensure the security and safety of company data.
Junior network administrators and network support technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Junior Network Administrator | Network Support Technician | |
| Average salary | $51,121 | $48,622 |
| Salary range | Between $39,000 And $66,000 | Between $38,000 And $61,000 |
| Highest paying City | Costa Mesa, CA | Troy, NY |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | Rhode Island |
| Best paying company | Exegy | Microsoft |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Technology |
There are a few differences between a junior network administrator and a network support technician in terms of educational background:
| Junior Network Administrator | Network Support Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 51% | Bachelor's Degree, 50% |
| Most common major | Computer Information Systems | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Carnegie Mellon University | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between junior network administrators' and network support technicians' demographics:
| Junior Network Administrator | Network Support Technician | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 87.7% Female, 12.3% | Male, 89.3% Female, 10.7% |
| 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, 9.1% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.7% Asian, 8.7% White, 64.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |