Network operations manager vs network administrator

The differences between network operations managers 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 operations manager and a network administrator. Additionally, a network operations manager has an average salary of $98,658, which is higher than the $71,357 average annual salary of a network administrator.

The top three skills for a network operations manager include network operations, project management and network infrastructure. The most important skills for a network administrator are switches, windows server, and troubleshoot.

Network operations manager vs network administrator overview

	Network Operations Manager	Network Administrator
Yearly salary	$98,658	$71,357
Hourly rate	$47.43	$34.31
Growth rate	5%	5%
Number of jobs	86,381	106,886
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 64%	Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	2	2

What does a network operations manager do?

Network operations managers are information technology (IT) professionals who are responsible for managing the operation and stability of an organization's network. These managers usually work with local area networks (LAN) or sometimes with wide area networks (WAN), where information can be shared in a building or between different locations. They serve as the middlemen between the IT department and the company's management team to provide an understanding of their IT needs. Network operations managers must also assist the human resource team in recruiting new employees and providing training related to the field of information technology.

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 operations manager vs network administrator salary

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

	Network Operations Manager	Network Administrator
Average salary	$98,658	$71,357
Salary range	Between $71,000 And $136,000	Between $56,000 And $90,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	California	Washington
Best paying company	Meta	Google
Best paying industry	Hospitality	Finance

Differences between network operations manager and network administrator education

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

	Network Operations Manager	Network Administrator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 64%	Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Most common major	Business	Computer Science
Most common college	Stanford University	Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Network operations manager vs network administrator demographics

Here are the differences between network operations managers' and network administrators' demographics:

	Network Operations Manager	Network Administrator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 84.7% Female, 15.3%	Male, 88.6% Female, 11.4%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.0% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.7% Asian, 8.7% White, 64.1% 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 operations manager and network administrator duties and responsibilities

Network operations manager example responsibilities.

Manage replacement of outdate phone system with state of the art PBX system, implement voicemail and ACD functionality.
Manage all voice and data contracts as well as configuration, maintenance, and support of VPN connectivity to remote sites.
Generate RFP s, accept bids, negotiate contracts, manage contractors, and scrutinize invoices with the authority to approve.
Develop windows batch scripts to automate system administration tasks.
Lead vendor negotiations for worldwide computer network, and telecommunication contracts.
Manage large-scale SharePoint installation which manage SOX audit documentation for global organization.

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 operations manager vs network administrator skills

Common network operations manager skills

Network Operations, 17%
Project Management, 6%
Network Infrastructure, 5%
Customer Service, 5%
Switches, 4%
NOC, 4%

Common network administrator skills

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

Network Operations Manager vs. similar jobs

Network Operations Manager related careers

Network Operations Manager related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Computer and Mathematical Industry
Network Operations Manager
Network Operations Manager vs Network Administrator

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse computer and mathematical jobs