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The differences between network contractors and network 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 network contractor and a network technician. Additionally, a network technician has an average salary of $68,938, 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 technician are customer service, switches, and troubleshoot.
| Network Contractor | Network Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $55,845 | $68,938 |
| Hourly rate | $26.85 | $33.14 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 45,116 | 79,712 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 53% | Bachelor's Degree, 50% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
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.
A network technician is responsible for system malfunction diagnosis and troubleshooting operations. Network technicians duties' include repairing damaged system components, analyzing computer systems and blueprints, installing network connections, and upgrading accessories for efficient operations. Other duties include assisting customers with technical issues, ensuring computer systems' privacy, creating documents of network issues and resolutions, and suggesting alternative equipment for network backups. A network technician must have a broad knowledge of the technology industry and mechanical processes, plus the ability to work under pressure with minimal supervision.
Network contractors and network technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Network Contractor | Network Technician | |
| Average salary | $55,845 | $68,938 |
| Salary range | Between $39,000 And $79,000 | Between $51,000 And $92,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Urban Honolulu, HI |
| Highest paying state | - | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | - | Apple |
| Best paying industry | - | Finance |
There are a few differences between a network contractor and a network technician in terms of educational background:
| Network Contractor | Network Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 53% | Bachelor's Degree, 50% |
| Most common major | Business | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Stanford University | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between network contractors' and network technicians' demographics:
| Network Contractor | Network Technician | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 75.5% Female, 24.5% | Male, 87.3% Female, 12.7% |
| 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, 8.9% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.6% Asian, 9.4% White, 63.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |