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The differences between network security administrators and help desk 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 security administrator and a help desk administrator. Additionally, a network security administrator has an average salary of $82,247, which is higher than the $49,798 average annual salary of a help desk administrator.
The top three skills for a network security administrator include network security, troubleshoot and switches. The most important skills for a help desk administrator are customer service, desk support, and troubleshoot.
| Network Security Administrator | Help Desk Administrator | |
| Yearly salary | $82,247 | $49,798 |
| Hourly rate | $39.54 | $23.94 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 130,342 | 130,180 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 52% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A Network Security Administrator works to ensure the security of the network systems and data in a company. They are responsible for developing and implementing security programs and protocols, establishing security guidelines, monitoring the networks, keeping an eye for any suspicious activities, or performing interventions to protect networks and data. They also respond to distress and investigates breaches to prevent them from happening again. In some companies, a Network Security Administrator is also in charge of managing network security staff, supervising their performance for an efficient workflow.
Help desk administrator is responsible for handling activities related to system support for their company or organization. They are in charge of providing superb client experiences and working in resolving support issues in a professional and timely manner. One of their primary tasks includes providing login resets and passwords for end-users. In addition, they will also perform innovative systems and network repairs, as well as assist computer information responses as required. Moreover, they support complete equipment set-up, renewal, or termination of a user account, handle server, and domain account changes.
Network security administrators and help desk administrators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Network Security Administrator | Help Desk Administrator | |
| Average salary | $82,247 | $49,798 |
| Salary range | Between $59,000 And $113,000 | Between $34,000 And $71,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | California | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | Portland General Electric | Houlihan Lokey |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Finance |
There are a few differences between a network security administrator and a help desk administrator in terms of educational background:
| Network Security Administrator | Help Desk Administrator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 52% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Business |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between network security administrators' and help desk administrators' demographics:
| Network Security Administrator | Help Desk Administrator | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 87.1% Female, 12.9% | Male, 74.3% Female, 25.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.7% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.4% Asian, 11.8% White, 61.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | Black or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.8% Asian, 8.8% White, 63.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |