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The differences between network systems analysts and systems support specialists 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 systems support specialist. Additionally, a network systems analyst has an average salary of $68,198, which is higher than the $61,744 average annual salary of a systems support specialist.
The top three skills for a network systems analyst include network issues, network infrastructure and linux. The most important skills for a systems support specialist are customer service, troubleshoot, and technical support.
| Network Systems Analyst | Systems Support Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $68,198 | $61,744 |
| Hourly rate | $32.79 | $29.68 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 127,522 | 159,364 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 54% |
| Average age | 43 | 42 |
| 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 systems support specialist is responsible for assisting end-users on system issues, including network configuration and improving network infrastructure. System support specialists implement network strategies alongside the whole technology team to boost the system's efficiency and optimal performance. They create resolution reports for reference and write recommendations to prevent system defects and inconsistencies. A systems support specialist also handles network installations and upgrades, requiring them to have excellent technical skills and knowledge of programming languages.
Network systems analysts and systems support specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Network Systems Analyst | Systems Support Specialist | |
| Average salary | $68,198 | $61,744 |
| Salary range | Between $50,000 And $92,000 | Between $41,000 And $91,000 |
| Highest paying City | Mountain View, CA | Centreville, VA |
| Highest paying state | California | Virginia |
| Best paying company | Cisco | Koch Industries |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Technology |
There are a few differences between a network systems analyst and a systems support specialist in terms of educational background:
| Network Systems Analyst | Systems Support Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 54% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Business |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between network systems analysts' and systems support specialists' demographics:
| Network Systems Analyst | Systems Support Specialist | |
| Average age | 43 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 86.8% Female, 13.2% | Male, 73.4% Female, 26.6% |
| 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, 11.9% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.7% Asian, 10.6% White, 56.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 11% |