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Network support analyst vs network technician

The differences between network support analysts 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 support analyst and a network technician. Additionally, a network support analyst has an average salary of $83,921, which is higher than the $68,938 average annual salary of a network technician.

The top three skills for a network support analyst include troubleshoot, switches and routers. The most important skills for a network technician are customer service, switches, and troubleshoot.

Network support analyst vs network technician overview

Network Support AnalystNetwork Technician
Yearly salary$83,921$68,938
Hourly rate$40.35$33.14
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs118,82579,712
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 53%Bachelor's Degree, 50%
Average age4343
Years of experience22

What does a network support analyst do?

Network support analysts are professionals who provide technical support as well as maintain various network components for an organization's network system. These analysts are responsible for installing and configuring local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), internet systems, and other components of network systems. They are required to monitor the performance of networks and systems and align network use and access by using master consoles. Network support analysts must also organize and deploy security measures for the network so that they can safeguard software, hardware, and data.

What does a network technician do?

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 support analyst vs network technician salary

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

Network Support AnalystNetwork Technician
Average salary$83,921$68,938
Salary rangeBetween $54,000 And $128,000Between $51,000 And $92,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CAUrban Honolulu, HI
Highest paying stateCaliforniaHawaii
Best paying companyMetaApple
Best paying industryTechnologyFinance

Differences between network support analyst and network technician education

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

Network Support AnalystNetwork Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 53%Bachelor's Degree, 50%
Most common majorComputer ScienceComputer Science
Most common collegeMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyUniversity of Pennsylvania

Network support analyst vs network technician demographics

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

Network Support AnalystNetwork Technician
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 84.3% Female, 15.7%Male, 87.3% Female, 12.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.8% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.5% Asian, 10.9% White, 62.4% 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 Percentage9%9%

Differences between network support analyst and network technician duties and responsibilities

Network support analyst example responsibilities.

  • Manage and maintain the internal network (LAN/WAN) hardware for end user computers and VoIP phones.
  • Manage project to maximize available bandwidth and throughput by implementing QOS technologies including compression, traffic shaping and priority/custom queuing.
  • Analyze logs and collect data to produce reports using LINUX operating system relate to IP TV viewing.
  • Support configuration/programming of routers, switches and other complex network equipment.
  • Provide support during data center consolidation by decommissioning routers, switches and servers.
  • Network integration using TCP/IP and IPX protocols.
  • Show more

Network technician example responsibilities.

  • Install and manage DHCP servers including setting up DHCP scopes, enabling DHCP clients, viewing and managing active leases.
  • Manage city wide IIS deployment.
  • Manage Virtualization system, using ESX server/client.
  • Install, configure and manage Symantec Antivirus on all network computers
  • Use Symantec BackupExec to manage and maintain all server backups and file restorations.
  • Manage company Cisco series routers, switches, and ASA firewall integrate into MPLS network.
  • Show more

Network support analyst vs network technician skills

Common network support analyst skills
  • Troubleshoot, 6%
  • Switches, 5%
  • Routers, 4%
  • Problem Resolution, 4%
  • Firewall, 4%
  • Network Support, 4%
Common network technician skills
  • Customer Service, 9%
  • Switches, 6%
  • Troubleshoot, 6%
  • Routers, 4%
  • Lan Wan, 3%
  • Lan, 3%

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