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The differences between network support engineers and network administrators 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 engineer and a network administrator. Additionally, a network support engineer has an average salary of $86,406, which is higher than the $71,357 average annual salary of a network administrator.
The top three skills for a network support engineer include switches, network support and OSPF. The most important skills for a network administrator are switches, windows server, and troubleshoot.
| Network Support Engineer | Network Administrator | |
| Yearly salary | $86,406 | $71,357 |
| Hourly rate | $41.54 | $34.31 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 113,476 | 106,886 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 55% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A network support engineer is an information technology expert who designs and develops computer systems, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. Among their responsibilities include performing installations and upgrades, configuring networks, troubleshooting issues, gathering and analyzing data to identify areas needing improvement, and recommending strategies to optimize network operations. They must also provide technical support to staff, address issues and concerns, conduct inspections, and perform repairs. Moreover, a network support engineer must regularly monitor networks while implementing the company's security and safety standards.
A network administrator is responsible for managing an organization's computer systems, ensuring its smooth operations and highest efficiency. Network administrators' duties include inspecting network malfunctions, troubleshooting unresponsive programs, improving system processes, analyzing client's specifications, upgrading existing applications, coordinating with the technology department, and creating a report of network issues resolutions. A network administrator should display a strong command of programming languages. Extensive knowledge in the technology industry and analytical and problem-solving skills to manage network problems immediately is also necessary.
Network support engineers and network administrators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Network Support Engineer | Network Administrator | |
| Average salary | $86,406 | $71,357 |
| Salary range | Between $66,000 And $112,000 | Between $56,000 And $90,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | Meta | |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Finance |
There are a few differences between a network support engineer and a network administrator in terms of educational background:
| Network Support Engineer | Network Administrator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 55% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Computer Science |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between network support engineers' and network administrators' demographics:
| Network Support Engineer | Network Administrator | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 89.2% Female, 10.8% | Male, 88.6% Female, 11.4% |
| 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, 8.8% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.5% Asian, 9.6% White, 63.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |