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The differences between network systems analysts and network engineers 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 engineer. Additionally, a network engineer has an average salary of $83,557, 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 engineer are switches, troubleshoot, and network infrastructure.
| Network Systems Analyst | Network Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $68,198 | $83,557 |
| Hourly rate | $32.79 | $40.17 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 127,522 | 72,346 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| 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 engineer is responsible for managing a network system, monitoring its performance, and upgrading its features to optimize performance and boost efficiency. Network engineers also create new systems, designing them based on clients' specifications and business needs. They also check network defects, perform troubleshooting, improve data security systems, and install security updates. A network engineer must have excellent knowledge of the technology industry, as well as a broad understanding of system codes, programming languages, and network configurations.
Network systems analysts and network engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Network Systems Analyst | Network Engineer | |
| Average salary | $68,198 | $83,557 |
| Salary range | Between $50,000 And $92,000 | Between $62,000 And $111,000 |
| Highest paying City | Mountain View, CA | Menlo Park, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Cisco | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Technology |
There are a few differences between a network systems analyst and a network engineer in terms of educational background:
| Network Systems Analyst | Network Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between network systems analysts' and network engineers' demographics:
| Network Systems Analyst | Network Engineer | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 86.8% Female, 13.2% | Male, 90.6% Female, 9.4% |
| 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, 7.9% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.6% Asian, 13.7% White, 61.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |