Network operator vs senior network administrator

The differences between network operators and senior 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 operator and a senior network administrator. Additionally, a senior network administrator has an average salary of $89,169, which is higher than the $54,148 average annual salary of a network operator.

The top three skills for a network operator include switches, customer service and routers. The most important skills for a senior network administrator are switches, routers, and troubleshoot.

Network operator vs senior network administrator overview

	Network Operator	Senior Network Administrator
Yearly salary	$54,148	$89,169
Hourly rate	$26.03	$42.87
Growth rate	5%	5%
Number of jobs	51,668	110,027
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 53%	Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	2	2

What does a network operator do?

A Network Provider in an organization is the person who provides wired and wireless communication services that own or control the infrastructure that is important when it comes to selling and delivering services to mobile network operators, virtual network operators, and end-users. You will be required to monitor and troubleshoot communication and application-related tools, maintain the wireless network infrastructure, test and implement new products and services and plan and manage telecommunication services when large and complex projects are being carried out.

What does a senior network administrator do?

Senior Network Administrators provide system and network solutions for their organizations. They supervise the functioning of networking equipment and follow strict maintenance standards.

Network operator vs senior network administrator salary

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

	Network Operator	Senior Network Administrator
Average salary	$54,148	$89,169
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $98,000	Between $68,000 And $115,000
Highest paying City	Arlington, VA	San Mateo, CA
Highest paying state	Virginia	California
Best paying company	State Street	Tesoro
Best paying industry	Government	Finance

Differences between network operator and senior network administrator education

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

	Network Operator	Senior Network Administrator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 53%	Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Most common major	Computer Science	Computer Science
Most common college	Massachusetts Institute of Technology	Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Network operator vs senior network administrator demographics

Here are the differences between network operators' and senior network administrators' demographics:

	Network Operator	Senior Network Administrator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 84.2% Female, 15.8%	Male, 91.7% Female, 8.3%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.9% Asian, 9.1% White, 63.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%	Black or African American, 9.0% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.7% Asian, 10.1% White, 62.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	9%	9%

Differences between network operator and senior network administrator duties and responsibilities

Network operator example responsibilities.

Manage database development and recovery.
Plan, configure and install new desktop computers, achieving standardization for workstations.
Manage and support the mission-critical LAN product delivery cores to standards of capacity, availability and security.
Weekend maintenance of server services on NT network and level one desktop support, monitors token-ring network, routers, switches.
Automate manual employee processes with Linux shell scripting.
Used Linux operating system and software for operation and trouble shooting.

Senior network administrator example responsibilities.

Lead IP management specialist and assist with management of DHCP scopes and reservations.
Establish and manage SharePoint base intranet for departmental and interdepartmental support.
Configure and manage SQL database archival requests for automate timely data submissions.
Configure and manage multiple data and application servers and maintain SQL relational databases.
Prioritize and manage servicing of customer trouble calls in locally develop tracking database.
Configure and manage company routers and switches in addition to VPN configuration and policy enforcement.

Network operator vs senior network administrator skills

Common network operator skills

Switches, 7%
Customer Service, 6%
Routers, 5%
SolarWinds, 5%
NOC, 4%
Remedy, 4%

Common senior network administrator skills

Switches, 8%
Routers, 5%
Troubleshoot, 5%
Windows Server, 4%
Network Infrastructure, 4%
Lan Wan, 4%

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Network Operator vs Senior Network Administrator

Updated January 8, 2025

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