Network security administrator vs network administrator

The differences between network security administrators 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 security administrator and a network administrator. Additionally, a network security administrator has an average salary of $82,247, which is higher than the $71,357 average annual salary of a network administrator.

The top three skills for a network security administrator include network security, troubleshoot and switches. The most important skills for a network administrator are switches, windows server, and troubleshoot.

Network security administrator vs network administrator overview

	Network Security Administrator	Network Administrator
Yearly salary	$82,247	$71,357
Hourly rate	$39.54	$34.31
Growth rate	5%	5%
Number of jobs	130,342	106,886
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 62%	Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	2	2

What does a network security administrator do?

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.

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 security administrator vs network administrator salary

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

	Network Security Administrator	Network Administrator
Average salary	$82,247	$71,357
Salary range	Between $59,000 And $113,000	Between $56,000 And $90,000
Highest paying City	Washington, DC	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	California	Washington
Best paying company	Portland General Electric	Google
Best paying industry	Finance	Finance

Differences between network security administrator and network administrator education

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

	Network Security Administrator	Network Administrator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 62%	Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Most common major	Computer Science	Computer Science
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Network security administrator vs network administrator demographics

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

	Network Security Administrator	Network Administrator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 87.1% Female, 12.9%	Male, 88.6% Female, 11.4%
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, 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 security administrator and network administrator duties and responsibilities

Network security administrator example responsibilities.

Manage, configure, and verify available IP addresses.
Install, configure and manage virtual servers in a VMWare environment.
Monitor traffic/mail issues for IronPort and manage the VMWare network system, minimizing problems and maintaining smooth work flow.
Lead architecture and design sessions with customers; initiate technical meetings with customer engineers to further engage and identify additional opportunities.
Install and configure Cisco routers and switches for internet connectivity and establishing an enterprise network.
Perform weekly internal and external systems and configurations vulnerability assessments of all network firewalls, switches and routers.

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 security administrator vs network administrator skills

Common network security administrator skills

Network Security, 8%
Troubleshoot, 6%
Switches, 6%
IDS, 4%
Security Policies, 4%
Routers, 4%

Common network administrator skills

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

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Network Security Administrator
Network Security Administrator vs Network Administrator

Updated January 8, 2025

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