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Senior network architect vs network manager

The differences between senior network architects and network managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a senior network architect and a network manager. Additionally, a senior network architect has an average salary of $114,322, which is higher than the $97,578 average annual salary of a network manager.

The top three skills for a senior network architect include cloud, azure and OSPF. The most important skills for a network manager are customer service, fault management, and network infrastructure.

Senior network architect vs network manager overview

Senior Network ArchitectNetwork Manager
Yearly salary$114,322$97,578
Hourly rate$54.96$46.91
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs95,32736,831
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 63%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Average age4343
Years of experience22

What does a senior network architect do?

A senior network architect specializes in designing and establishing networks and systems in a company. It is their responsibility to determine the network and communication needs of a company, conduct research and analysis, gather and analyze data from various operations, develop strategies to optimize operations, and oversee procedures from planning to execution, ensuring accuracy and smooth workflow. Moreover, as a senior network architect, they must lead and serve as a role model to junior architects, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

What does a network manager do?

A network manager is responsible for monitoring the efficient network connection of the company's technology systems, analyzing system designs, and overseeing installation processes and programs. Network managers inspect the efficiency of existing network management systems, upgrading network data to boost optimal performance and communication transportation. A network manager must have excellent knowledge of technology disciplines and should always be updated with the recent technology trends, guiding the network staff on their tasks and immediately resolving system defects and discrepancies.

Senior network architect vs network manager salary

Senior network architects and network managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Senior Network ArchitectNetwork Manager
Average salary$114,322$97,578
Salary rangeBetween $82,000 And $158,000Between $71,000 And $132,000
Highest paying CityRedwood City, CAMenlo Park, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyNVIDIAMeta
Best paying industryFinanceTechnology

Differences between senior network architect and network manager education

There are a few differences between a senior network architect and a network manager in terms of educational background:

Senior Network ArchitectNetwork Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 63%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Most common majorElectrical EngineeringBusiness
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Long BeachStanford University

Senior network architect vs network manager demographics

Here are the differences between senior network architects' and network managers' demographics:

Senior Network ArchitectNetwork Manager
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 96.5% Female, 3.5%Male, 83.3% Female, 16.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.7% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.4% Asian, 10.9% White, 62.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 9.0% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.7% Asian, 8.7% White, 64.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between senior network architect and network manager duties and responsibilities

Senior network architect example responsibilities.

  • Control fully mesh MPLS network and relationship with manage services tie to the service.
  • Experience implementing and managing Cisco power networks, including QOS, IBGP and BGP.
  • Manage all application network impact studies, high availability needs and QoS traffic controls.
  • Manage Visio drawing for Aviva HQ as well as Aviva data center and remote branches.
  • Configure, install and manage enterprise network infrastructure (various Cisco routers switches, IPS and ASA firewalls).
  • Redesign and modernize the campus infrastructure as well manage and maintain the current LAN while implementing the new network.
  • Show more

Network manager example responsibilities.

  • Negotiate and manage customer SLA's.
  • Manage a remote nationwide team of database Sr.
  • Manage vendor for all PBX move add and changes.
  • Manage environment in support of define CDRL's and SLA's.
  • Lead the architecture design for PCI (payment card industry) compliance.
  • Manage iRules and VIP setup on F5's and juniper load balance.
  • Show more

Senior network architect vs network manager skills

Common senior network architect skills
  • Cloud, 9%
  • Azure, 7%
  • OSPF, 6%
  • EIGRP, 5%
  • Emerging Technologies, 5%
  • VMware, 4%
Common network manager skills
  • Customer Service, 12%
  • Fault Management, 6%
  • Network Infrastructure, 5%
  • Switches, 4%
  • Network Hardware, 4%
  • Project Management, 4%

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