Network engineer vs network security engineer

The differences between network engineers and network security engineers 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 engineer and a network security engineer. Additionally, a network security engineer has an average salary of $88,322, which is higher than the $83,557 average annual salary of a network engineer.

The top three skills for a network engineer include switches, troubleshoot and network infrastructure. The most important skills for a network security engineer are network security, windows, and cisco asa.

Network engineer vs network security engineer overview

	Network Engineer	Network Security Engineer
Yearly salary	$83,557	$88,322
Hourly rate	$40.17	$42.46
Growth rate	5%	5%
Number of jobs	72,346	91,892
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 62%	Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	2	2

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.

What does a network security engineer do?

A network security engineer is responsible for maintaining the safety and security of all the organization's network systems, conducting regular configuration and maintenance to avoid unauthorized access and suspicious activities that may pose risks for the company's integrity. Network security engineers manage security threats and strategize resolutions to mitigate the reoccurrence of security issues. They also develop security enhancement recommendations, update network infrastructure, and monitor system activities. A network security engineer should have excellent communication and technical skills, as well as a strong command of programming languages and system codes.

Network engineer vs network security engineer salary

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

	Network Engineer	Network Security Engineer
Average salary	$83,557	$88,322
Salary range	Between $62,000 And $111,000	Between $64,000 And $120,000
Highest paying City	Menlo Park, CA	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	California	California
Best paying company	The Citadel	The Knot
Best paying industry	Technology	Retail

Differences between network engineer and network security engineer education

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

	Network Engineer	Network Security Engineer
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 62%	Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Most common major	Electrical Engineering	Computer Science
Most common college	California State University - Long Beach	Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Network engineer vs network security engineer demographics

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

	Network Engineer	Network Security Engineer
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 90.6% Female, 9.4%	Male, 90.7% Female, 9.3%
Race ratio	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%	Black or African American, 8.0% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.7% Asian, 13.9% White, 61.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	9%	9%

Differences between network engineer and network security engineer duties and responsibilities

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.

Network security engineer example responsibilities.

Add and manage nodes in SolarWinds for monitoring purposes using SNMP v1/v2/v3.
Work with VMware NSX with deployment of greenfield environment and managing and troubleshooting issues with NSX.
Interact successfully with both program leads and DoD customer to ensure objectives are completed on time.
Experience in managing and troubleshooting Linux or Unix base operating systems.
Manage information technology security, including backups, firewalls, and routers.
Design and manage information systems security policy, implementation, and management for a globally distribute MPLS infrastructure.

Network engineer vs network security engineer skills

Common network engineer skills

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

Common network security engineer skills

Network Security, 10%
Windows, 5%
Cisco Asa, 4%
Switches, 4%
Linux, 4%
Troubleshoot, 3%

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Network Engineer vs Network Security Engineer

Updated January 8, 2025

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