Network contractor vs network administrator

The differences between network contractors 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 network contractor and a network administrator. Additionally, a network administrator has an average salary of $71,357, which is higher than the $55,845 average annual salary of a network contractor.

The top three skills for a network contractor include customer service, service calls and provider network. The most important skills for a network administrator are switches, windows server, and troubleshoot.

Network contractor vs network administrator overview

	Network Contractor	Network Administrator
Yearly salary	$55,845	$71,357
Hourly rate	$26.85	$34.31
Growth rate	5%	5%
Number of jobs	45,116	106,886
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 53%	Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	2	2

What does a network contractor do?

Network contractors are information technology (IT) professionals who accept contracts from clients to provide materials and labor to perform tasks related to installing and maintaining network systems. These contractors must coordinate network security systems to deliver the efficiency of their clients' network systems. They must develop and maintain business relationships with providers to ensure proper network composition. They need to provide end-user training on network systems to maximize operator efficiency and increase speed. Network contractors should also assist their clients in the operation, restoration, and configuration of computer systems.

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.

Network contractor vs network administrator salary

Network contractors and network administrators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Network Contractor	Network Administrator
Average salary	$55,845	$71,357
Salary range	Between $39,000 And $79,000	Between $56,000 And $90,000
Highest paying City	-	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	-	Washington
Best paying company	-	Google
Best paying industry	-	Finance

Differences between network contractor and network administrator education

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

	Network Contractor	Network Administrator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 53%	Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Most common major	Business	Computer Science
Most common college	Stanford University	Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Network contractor vs network administrator demographics

Here are the differences between network contractors' and network administrators' demographics:

	Network Contractor	Network Administrator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 75.5% Female, 24.5%	Male, 88.6% Female, 11.4%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.9% Asian, 8.7% White, 63.8% 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 network contractor and network administrator duties and responsibilities

Network contractor example responsibilities.

Manage various common Linux server and web applications.
Experience managing the day-to-day operations of telecommunication services utilize by Astra Zeneca.
Segment LAN network using TCP/IP with VLAN configuration.
Provide desktop support to users ranging from OS and application installation and system deployment on network PCs.
Replace POS components at Wal-Mart locations.
Create client to home VPN server using firewall.

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

Network contractor vs network administrator skills

Common network contractor skills

Customer Service, 54%
Service Calls, 28%
Provider Network, 5%
Medicaid, 4%
Network Composition, 3%
Contract Templates, 2%

Common network administrator skills

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

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Network Contractor vs Network Administrator

Updated January 8, 2025

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