Network administrator vs help desk administrator

The differences between network administrators and help desk 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 network administrator and a help desk administrator. Additionally, a network administrator has an average salary of $71,357, which is higher than the $49,798 average annual salary of a help desk administrator.

The top three skills for a network administrator include switches, windows server and troubleshoot. The most important skills for a help desk administrator are customer service, desk support, and troubleshoot.

Network administrator vs help desk administrator overview

	Network Administrator	Help Desk Administrator
Yearly salary	$71,357	$49,798
Hourly rate	$34.31	$23.94
Growth rate	5%	5%
Number of jobs	106,886	130,180
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 55%	Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	2	2

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.

What does a help desk administrator do?

Help desk administrator is responsible for handling activities related to system support for their company or organization. They are in charge of providing superb client experiences and working in resolving support issues in a professional and timely manner. One of their primary tasks includes providing login resets and passwords for end-users. In addition, they will also perform innovative systems and network repairs, as well as assist computer information responses as required. Moreover, they support complete equipment set-up, renewal, or termination of a user account, handle server, and domain account changes.

Network administrator vs help desk administrator salary

Network administrators and help desk administrators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Network Administrator	Help Desk Administrator
Average salary	$71,357	$49,798
Salary range	Between $56,000 And $90,000	Between $34,000 And $71,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	Washington, DC
Highest paying state	Washington	New Jersey
Best paying company	Google	Houlihan Lokey
Best paying industry	Finance	Finance

Differences between network administrator and help desk administrator education

There are a few differences between a network administrator and a help desk administrator in terms of educational background:

	Network Administrator	Help Desk Administrator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 55%	Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Most common major	Computer Science	Business
Most common college	Massachusetts Institute of Technology	Stanford University

Network administrator vs help desk administrator demographics

Here are the differences between network administrators' and help desk administrators' demographics:

	Network Administrator	Help Desk Administrator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 88.6% Female, 11.4%	Male, 74.3% Female, 25.7%
Race ratio	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%	Black or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.8% Asian, 8.8% White, 63.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	9%	9%

Differences between network administrator and help desk administrator duties and responsibilities

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

Help desk administrator example responsibilities.

Create, deploy and manage VMWare virtual desktops as well as configured customize pools for specific operational needs.
Manage the PC refresh program transferring all user data remotely and installing require software applications.
Configure, establish and manage local area network (LAN) connectivity and remote access per customer configuration requirements.
Administer DNS / DHCP servers, work with network administer to make sure the tables are updating correctly.
Administer IP address allocation through DHCP management.
Assist in the deployment of new POS applications and hardware.

Network administrator vs help desk administrator skills

Common network administrator skills

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

Common help desk administrator skills

Customer Service, 11%
Desk Support, 7%
Troubleshoot, 6%
Technical Support, 5%
Phone Calls, 4%
Remote Desktop, 4%

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Network Administrator vs Help Desk Administrator

Updated January 8, 2025

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