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The differences between network security engineers and network technicians 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 engineer and a network technician. Additionally, a network security engineer has an average salary of $88,322, which is higher than the $68,938 average annual salary of a network technician.
The top three skills for a network security engineer include network security, windows and cisco asa. The most important skills for a network technician are customer service, switches, and troubleshoot.
| Network Security Engineer | Network Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $88,322 | $68,938 |
| Hourly rate | $42.46 | $33.14 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 91,892 | 79,712 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 50% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
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.
A network technician is responsible for system malfunction diagnosis and troubleshooting operations. Network technicians duties' include repairing damaged system components, analyzing computer systems and blueprints, installing network connections, and upgrading accessories for efficient operations. Other duties include assisting customers with technical issues, ensuring computer systems' privacy, creating documents of network issues and resolutions, and suggesting alternative equipment for network backups. A network technician must have a broad knowledge of the technology industry and mechanical processes, plus the ability to work under pressure with minimal supervision.
Network security engineers and network technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Network Security Engineer | Network Technician | |
| Average salary | $88,322 | $68,938 |
| Salary range | Between $64,000 And $120,000 | Between $51,000 And $92,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Urban Honolulu, HI |
| Highest paying state | California | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | The Knot | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Finance |
There are a few differences between a network security engineer and a network technician in terms of educational background:
| Network Security Engineer | Network Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 50% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between network security engineers' and network technicians' demographics:
| Network Security Engineer | Network Technician | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 90.7% Female, 9.3% | Male, 87.3% Female, 12.7% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 8.9% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.6% Asian, 9.4% White, 63.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |