Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between network support engineers and network support 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 engineer and a network support technician. Additionally, a network support engineer has an average salary of $86,406, which is higher than the $48,622 average annual salary of a network support technician.
The top three skills for a network support engineer include switches, network support and OSPF. The most important skills for a network support technician are troubleshoot, technical support, and customer service.
| Network Support Engineer | Network Support Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $86,406 | $48,622 |
| Hourly rate | $41.54 | $23.38 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 113,476 | 120,245 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 50% |
| 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 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 support engineers and network support technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Network Support Engineer | Network Support Technician | |
| Average salary | $86,406 | $48,622 |
| Salary range | Between $66,000 And $112,000 | Between $38,000 And $61,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Troy, NY |
| Highest paying state | California | Rhode Island |
| Best paying company | Meta | Microsoft |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between a network support engineer and a network support technician in terms of educational background:
| Network Support Engineer | Network Support Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 50% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Computer Science |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between network support engineers' and network support technicians' demographics:
| Network Support Engineer | Network Support Technician | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 89.2% Female, 10.8% | Male, 89.3% Female, 10.7% |
| 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, 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% |