Manager, network & security vs network engineer

The differences between managers, network & security and network engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a manager, network & security, becoming a network engineer takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a manager, network & security has an average salary of $110,943, which is higher than the $83,557 average annual salary of a network engineer.

The top three skills for a manager, network & security include firewall, incident response and architecture. The most important skills for a network engineer are switches, troubleshoot, and network infrastructure.

Manager, network & security vs network engineer overview

	Manager, Network & Security	Network Engineer
Yearly salary	$110,943	$83,557
Hourly rate	$53.34	$40.17
Growth rate	32%	5%
Number of jobs	83,566	72,346
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 64%	Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Average age	42	43
Years of experience	6	2

What does a manager, network & security do?

Security and network managers improve computer systems by analyzing all risk factors and accelerate computer management programs by utilizing their expert knowledge. Security and network managers fortify security systems by helping in antivirus installation, evaluating, and ensuring security efficiency. These professionals work hand-in-hand with different departments to assess server operating systems and ensure they operate efficiently. Security and network managers also oversee and put into practice network security processes and keep useful reports for these processes.

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.

Manager, network & security vs network engineer salary

Managers, network & security and network engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Manager, Network & Security	Network Engineer
Average salary	$110,943	$83,557
Salary range	Between $77,000 And $159,000	Between $62,000 And $111,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	Menlo Park, CA
Highest paying state	California	California
Best paying company	Palo Alto Networks	The Citadel
Best paying industry	Health Care	Technology

Differences between manager, network & security and network engineer education

There are a few differences between a manager, network & security and a network engineer in terms of educational background:

	Manager, Network & Security	Network Engineer
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 64%	Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Most common major	Computer Science	Electrical Engineering
Most common college	Stanford University	California State University - Long Beach

Manager, network & security vs network engineer demographics

Here are the differences between managers, network & security' and network engineers' demographics:

	Manager, Network & Security	Network Engineer
Average age	42	43
Gender ratio	Male, 90.6% Female, 9.4%	Male, 90.6% Female, 9.4%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.0% Asian, 9.6% White, 65.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%	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 manager, network & security and network engineer duties and responsibilities

Manager, network & security example responsibilities.

Manage vendor relationships, including Cisco, F5, Internap, and Level3.
Design and manage ASN's, DHCP services, and corporate DNS servers.
Provide high-level vendor management, manage VoIP, network, and network circuits for all locations.
Spur planning and delivery of organization's first production storage area network (SAN) in support of virtual infrastructure initiative.
Manage team that provides governance over global network security perimeter controls including firewalls and intrusion prevention systems.
Manage the first and second releases of a highly customize SharePoint portal application focuse on engaging partners and automating business processes.

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.

Manager, network & security vs network engineer skills

Common manager, network & security skills

Firewall, 9%
Incident Response, 8%
Architecture, 6%
Network Infrastructure, 5%
Troubleshoot, 5%
Project Management, 4%

Common network engineer skills

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

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Manager, Network & Security
Manager, Network & Security vs Network Engineer

Updated January 8, 2025

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