Network security specialist vs network support technician

The differences between network security specialists and network support technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a network security specialist, becoming a network support technician takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a network security specialist has an average salary of $82,206, which is higher than the $48,622 average annual salary of a network support technician.

The top three skills for a network security specialist include network security, incident response and IDS. The most important skills for a network support technician are troubleshoot, technical support, and customer service.

Network security specialist vs network support technician overview

	Network Security Specialist	Network Support Technician
Yearly salary	$82,206	$48,622
Hourly rate	$39.52	$23.38
Growth rate	32%	5%
Number of jobs	82,646	120,245
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 61%	Bachelor's Degree, 50%
Average age	42	43
Years of experience	6	2

What does a network security specialist do?

A Network Security Specialist is a person who oversees computer networks to find security threats or unauthorized users. Their responsibilities include: identifying compromised machines, creating briefs of security measures taken, identifying possible security risks, determining the proper procedure to address the risks, assessing software that security aid, and researching security devices to get proper information on installation, audit-related information, and disaster recovery plans.

What does a network support technician do?

A network support technician specializes in optimizing a company's information technology (IT) networks for a smooth and efficient workflow. Their responsibilities revolve around addressing issues and concerns, troubleshooting, installing systems, executing upgrades, conducting diagnostic tests, and performing corrective measures as needed. They must also coordinate with staff in developing new IT systems, evaluate existing networks for areas needing improvement, and develop protocols while adhering to the company's policies and regulations. Furthermore, as a network support technician, it is essential to maintain regular network maintenance checks to ensure the security and safety of company data.

Network security specialist vs network support technician salary

Network security specialists and network support technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Network Security Specialist	Network Support Technician
Average salary	$82,206	$48,622
Salary range	Between $60,000 And $112,000	Between $38,000 And $61,000
Highest paying City	Sunnyvale, CA	Troy, NY
Highest paying state	California	Rhode Island
Best paying company	JPMorgan Chase & Co.	Microsoft
Best paying industry	Technology	Technology

Differences between network security specialist and network support technician education

There are a few differences between a network security specialist and a network support technician in terms of educational background:

	Network Security Specialist	Network Support Technician
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 61%	Bachelor's Degree, 50%
Most common major	Computer Science	Computer Science
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Network security specialist vs network support technician demographics

Here are the differences between network security specialists' and network support technicians' demographics:

	Network Security Specialist	Network Support Technician
Average age	42	43
Gender ratio	Male, 83.6% Female, 16.4%	Male, 89.3% Female, 10.7%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.0% Asian, 9.6% White, 65.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%	Black or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.7% Asian, 8.7% White, 64.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	9%	9%

Differences between network security specialist and network support technician duties and responsibilities

Network security specialist example responsibilities.

Achieve a reputation as a security and technology leader in the LINUX world, interview profiled by several LINUX publications.
Manage project to maximize available bandwidth and throughput by implementing QOS technologies including compression, traffic shaping and priority/custom queuing.
Install new firewalls, switches and routers contingent on management schedule.
Create encryption policy and technical solutions to protect company mobile computing devices including laptops and smart phones.
Manage project to maximize available bandwidth and throughput by implementing QOS technologies including compression, traffic shaping and priority/custom queuing.
Coordinate efforts in moving data from Novell servers to Microsoft server with total overhaul of file and security group structure.

Network support technician example responsibilities.

Assist in managing Nortel CS1000 phone system.
Manage a technician scheduling system base on Linux.
Manage SQL database moves, updates, backups, for end users ,.
Manage circuit provisioning, customer contact, order tracking, IP allocation and task management databases.
Manage all VoIP technology and phone configuration.
Manage security solutions, including firewall, anti-virus, and intrusion detection systems.

Network security specialist vs network support technician skills

Common network security specialist skills

Network Security, 12%
Incident Response, 6%
IDS, 5%
Firewall, 5%
Switches, 4%
Intrusion Detection, 4%

Common network support technician skills

Troubleshoot, 9%
Technical Support, 6%
Customer Service, 6%
Network Support, 6%
Switches, 5%
Desk Support, 4%

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Network Security Specialist vs Network Support Technician

Updated January 8, 2025

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