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Network technician vs network administrator

The differences between network technicians 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 technician and a network administrator. Additionally, a network administrator has an average salary of $71,357, which is higher than the $68,938 average annual salary of a network technician.

The top three skills for a network technician include customer service, switches and troubleshoot. The most important skills for a network administrator are switches, windows server, and troubleshoot.

Network technician vs network administrator overview

Network TechnicianNetwork Administrator
Yearly salary$68,938$71,357
Hourly rate$33.14$34.31
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs79,712106,886
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 50%Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Average age4343
Years of experience22

What does a network technician do?

A network technician is responsible for system malfunction diagnosis and troubleshooting operations. Network technicians duties' include repairing damaged system components, analyzing computer systems and blueprints, installing network connections, and upgrading accessories for efficient operations. Other duties include assisting customers with technical issues, ensuring computer systems' privacy, creating documents of network issues and resolutions, and suggesting alternative equipment for network backups. A network technician must have a broad knowledge of the technology industry and mechanical processes, plus the ability to work under pressure with minimal supervision.

What does a network administrator do?

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 technician vs network administrator salary

Network technicians and network administrators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Network TechnicianNetwork Administrator
Average salary$68,938$71,357
Salary rangeBetween $51,000 And $92,000Between $56,000 And $90,000
Highest paying CityUrban Honolulu, HISan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateHawaiiWashington
Best paying companyAppleGoogle
Best paying industryFinanceFinance

Differences between network technician and network administrator education

There are a few differences between a network technician and a network administrator in terms of educational background:

Network TechnicianNetwork Administrator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 50%Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Most common majorComputer ScienceComputer Science
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaMassachusetts Institute of Technology

Network technician vs network administrator demographics

Here are the differences between network technicians' and network administrators' demographics:

Network TechnicianNetwork Administrator
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 87.3% Female, 12.7%Male, 88.6% Female, 11.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.9% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.6% Asian, 9.4% White, 63.8% 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 Percentage9%9%

Differences between network technician and network administrator duties and responsibilities

Network technician example responsibilities.

  • Install and manage DHCP servers including setting up DHCP scopes, enabling DHCP clients, viewing and managing active leases.
  • Manage city wide IIS deployment.
  • Manage Virtualization system, using ESX server/client.
  • Install, configure and manage Symantec Antivirus on all network computers
  • Use Symantec BackupExec to manage and maintain all server backups and file restorations.
  • Manage company Cisco series routers, switches, and ASA firewall integrate into MPLS network.
    • Show more

Network administrator example responsibilities.

  • Lead and manage desktop standards project.
  • Manage backups using EMC Networker and Avamar.
  • Manage Solarwinds to monitor servers and networks for all locations.
  • Manage all provisioning and technical issues for new customer IP blocks.
  • Deploy and manage storage (windows file servers and NetApp NAS).
  • Manage all technology: Novell, Microsoft, Cisco, email, library, labs, dorms, programs
    • Show more

Network technician vs network administrator skills

Common network technician skills
  • Customer Service, 9%
  • Switches, 6%
  • Troubleshoot, 6%
  • Routers, 4%
  • Lan Wan, 3%
  • Lan, 3%
Common network administrator skills
  • Switches, 7%
  • Windows Server, 6%
  • Troubleshoot, 5%
  • Network Hardware, 5%
  • Routers, 4%
  • Lan Wan, 4%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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