Network security administrator vs network manager

The differences between network security administrators and network managers 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 manager. Additionally, a network manager has an average salary of $97,578, which is higher than the $82,247 average annual salary of a network security administrator.

The top three skills for a network security administrator include network security, troubleshoot and switches. The most important skills for a network manager are customer service, fault management, and network infrastructure.

Network security administrator vs network manager overview

	Network Security Administrator	Network Manager
Yearly salary	$82,247	$97,578
Hourly rate	$39.54	$46.91
Growth rate	5%	5%
Number of jobs	130,342	36,831
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 62%	Bachelor's Degree, 63%
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 manager do?

A network manager is responsible for monitoring the efficient network connection of the company's technology systems, analyzing system designs, and overseeing installation processes and programs. Network managers inspect the efficiency of existing network management systems, upgrading network data to boost optimal performance and communication transportation. A network manager must have excellent knowledge of technology disciplines and should always be updated with the recent technology trends, guiding the network staff on their tasks and immediately resolving system defects and discrepancies.

Network security administrator vs network manager salary

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

	Network Security Administrator	Network Manager
Average salary	$82,247	$97,578
Salary range	Between $59,000 And $113,000	Between $71,000 And $132,000
Highest paying City	Washington, DC	Menlo Park, CA
Highest paying state	California	California
Best paying company	Portland General Electric	Meta
Best paying industry	Finance	Technology

Differences between network security administrator and network manager education

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

	Network Security Administrator	Network Manager
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 62%	Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Most common major	Computer Science	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	Stanford University

Network security administrator vs network manager demographics

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

	Network Security Administrator	Network Manager
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 87.1% Female, 12.9%	Male, 83.3% Female, 16.7%
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, 9.0% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.7% Asian, 8.7% White, 64.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	9%	9%

Differences between network security administrator and network manager 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 manager example responsibilities.

Negotiate and manage customer SLA's.
Manage a remote nationwide team of database Sr.
Manage vendor for all PBX move add and changes.
Manage environment in support of define CDRL's and SLA's.
Lead the architecture design for PCI (payment card industry) compliance.
Manage iRules and VIP setup on F5's and juniper load balance.

Network security administrator vs network manager skills

Common network security administrator skills

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

Common network manager skills

Customer Service, 12%
Fault Management, 6%
Network Infrastructure, 5%
Switches, 4%
Network Hardware, 4%
Project Management, 4%

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Network Security Administrator vs Network Manager

Updated January 8, 2025

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