Manager network engineering vs network administrator

The differences between managers network engineering 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 manager network engineering and a network administrator. Additionally, a manager network engineering has an average salary of $114,935, which is higher than the $71,357 average annual salary of a network administrator.

The top three skills for a manager network engineering include network engineering, network infrastructure and project management. The most important skills for a network administrator are switches, windows server, and troubleshoot.

Manager network engineering vs network administrator overview

	Manager Network Engineering	Network Administrator
Yearly salary	$114,935	$71,357
Hourly rate	$55.26	$34.31
Growth rate	5%	5%
Number of jobs	84,638	106,886
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 65%	Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	2	2

What does a manager network engineering do?

Network engineering managers provide insights, perspective, and analysis in order to improve network systems. They oversee every task in the engineering unit and ensure that everything will run smoothly. Understanding hardware, software, and design elements are key to the job. It requires a candidate to have critical thinking skills in order to analyze and resolve system errors.

What does a network administrator do?

A network administrator is responsible for managing an organization's computer systems, ensuring its smooth operations and highest efficiency. Network administrators' duties include inspecting network malfunctions, troubleshooting unresponsive programs, improving system processes, analyzing client's specifications, upgrading existing applications, coordinating with the technology department, and creating a report of network issues resolutions. A network administrator should display a strong command of programming languages. Extensive knowledge in the technology industry and analytical and problem-solving skills to manage network problems immediately is also necessary.

Manager network engineering vs network administrator salary

Managers network engineering and network administrators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Manager Network Engineering	Network Administrator
Average salary	$114,935	$71,357
Salary range	Between $84,000 And $156,000	Between $56,000 And $90,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	California	Washington
Best paying company	Meta	Google
Best paying industry	Finance	Finance

Differences between manager network engineering and network administrator education

There are a few differences between a manager network engineering and a network administrator in terms of educational background:

	Manager Network Engineering	Network Administrator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 65%	Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Most common major	Electrical Engineering	Computer Science
Most common college	Stanford University	Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Manager network engineering vs network administrator demographics

Here are the differences between managers network engineering' and network administrators' demographics:

	Manager Network Engineering	Network Administrator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 89.3% Female, 10.7%	Male, 88.6% Female, 11.4%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.8% Asian, 8.9% White, 63.7% 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 manager network engineering and network administrator duties and responsibilities

Manager network engineering example responsibilities.

Monitor, manage and troubleshot network security.
Manage and align short- and long-term operational strategy and initiatives in carrier transport and IP applications.
Manage and coordinate multiple global infrastructure projects involving implementation of QoS and VoIP enable Cisco data network.
Manage the first and second releases of a highly customize SharePoint portal application focuse on engaging partners and automating business processes.
Ensure secure user access to network services via wireless connections through virtual private networks (VPN).
Configure, install, and maintain networking equipment to include routers, switches, firewalls, and IPS's.

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

Manager network engineering vs network administrator skills

Common manager network engineering skills

Network Engineering, 9%
Network Infrastructure, 5%
Project Management, 5%
Switches, 5%
Firewall, 5%
Routers, 3%

Common network administrator skills

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

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Manager Network Engineering
Manager Network Engineering vs Network Administrator

Updated January 8, 2025

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