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The differences between network security administrators and network security engineers 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 security engineer. Additionally, a network security engineer has an average salary of $88,322, 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 security engineer are network security, windows, and cisco asa.
| Network Security Administrator | Network Security Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $82,247 | $88,322 |
| Hourly rate | $39.54 | $42.46 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 130,342 | 91,892 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| 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.
A network security engineer is responsible for maintaining the safety and security of all the organization's network systems, conducting regular configuration and maintenance to avoid unauthorized access and suspicious activities that may pose risks for the company's integrity. Network security engineers manage security threats and strategize resolutions to mitigate the reoccurrence of security issues. They also develop security enhancement recommendations, update network infrastructure, and monitor system activities. A network security engineer should have excellent communication and technical skills, as well as a strong command of programming languages and system codes.
Network security administrators and network security engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Network Security Administrator | Network Security Engineer | |
| Average salary | $82,247 | $88,322 |
| Salary range | Between $59,000 And $113,000 | Between $64,000 And $120,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Portland General Electric | The Knot |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Retail |
There are a few differences between a network security administrator and a network security engineer in terms of educational background:
| Network Security Administrator | Network Security Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between network security administrators' and network security engineers' demographics:
| Network Security Administrator | Network Security Engineer | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 87.1% Female, 12.9% | Male, 90.7% Female, 9.3% |
| 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, 8.0% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.7% Asian, 13.9% White, 61.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |