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The differences between network systems analysts 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 systems analyst and a network administrator. Additionally, a network administrator has an average salary of $71,357, which is higher than the $68,198 average annual salary of a network systems analyst.
The top three skills for a network systems analyst include network issues, network infrastructure and linux. The most important skills for a network administrator are switches, windows server, and troubleshoot.
| Network Systems Analyst | Network Administrator | |
| Yearly salary | $68,198 | $71,357 |
| Hourly rate | $32.79 | $34.31 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 127,522 | 106,886 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 55% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A network systems analyst's job responsibility is to create network configurations both for hardware and software to improve the functionality of a network system. It is their responsibility to ensure that all computers are connected in a given network and can efficiently work together. They typically create technology resolutions to business-related problems and thus will be involved in the business aspect of their organization. Moreover, they work in an office arrangement, and in some cases may be able to work remotely. They may report to a network supervisor or network manager while consecutively working closely with systems engineers and programmers.
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 systems analysts and network administrators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Network Systems Analyst | Network Administrator | |
| Average salary | $68,198 | $71,357 |
| Salary range | Between $50,000 And $92,000 | Between $56,000 And $90,000 |
| Highest paying City | Mountain View, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | Cisco | |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Finance |
There are a few differences between a network systems analyst and a network administrator in terms of educational background:
| Network Systems Analyst | Network Administrator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 55% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between network systems analysts' and network administrators' demographics:
| Network Systems Analyst | Network Administrator | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 86.8% Female, 13.2% | Male, 88.6% Female, 11.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.8% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.5% Asian, 9.1% White, 64.3% 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% |