Post job

Senior network architect vs network support analyst

The differences between senior network architects and network support analysts 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 support analyst. Additionally, a senior network architect has an average salary of $114,322, which is higher than the $83,921 average annual salary of a network support analyst.

The top three skills for a senior network architect include cloud, azure and OSPF. The most important skills for a network support analyst are troubleshoot, switches, and routers.

Senior network architect vs network support analyst overview

Senior Network ArchitectNetwork Support Analyst
Yearly salary$114,322$83,921
Hourly rate$54.96$40.35
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs95,327118,825
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 63%Bachelor's Degree, 53%
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 support analyst do?

Network support analysts are professionals who provide technical support as well as maintain various network components for an organization's network system. These analysts are responsible for installing and configuring local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), internet systems, and other components of network systems. They are required to monitor the performance of networks and systems and align network use and access by using master consoles. Network support analysts must also organize and deploy security measures for the network so that they can safeguard software, hardware, and data.

Senior network architect vs network support analyst salary

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

Senior Network ArchitectNetwork Support Analyst
Average salary$114,322$83,921
Salary rangeBetween $82,000 And $158,000Between $54,000 And $128,000
Highest paying CityRedwood City, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyNVIDIAMeta
Best paying industryFinanceTechnology

Differences between senior network architect and network support analyst education

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

Senior Network ArchitectNetwork Support Analyst
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 63%Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Most common majorElectrical EngineeringComputer Science
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Long BeachMassachusetts Institute of Technology

Senior network architect vs network support analyst demographics

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

Senior Network ArchitectNetwork Support Analyst
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 96.5% Female, 3.5%Male, 84.3% Female, 15.7%
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, 8.8% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.5% Asian, 10.9% White, 62.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between senior network architect and network support analyst 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 support analyst example responsibilities.

  • Manage and maintain the internal network (LAN/WAN) hardware for end user computers and VoIP phones.
  • Manage project to maximize available bandwidth and throughput by implementing QOS technologies including compression, traffic shaping and priority/custom queuing.
  • Analyze logs and collect data to produce reports using LINUX operating system relate to IP TV viewing.
  • Support configuration/programming of routers, switches and other complex network equipment.
  • Provide support during data center consolidation by decommissioning routers, switches and servers.
  • Network integration using TCP/IP and IPX protocols.
  • Show more

Senior network architect vs network support analyst skills

Common senior network architect skills
  • Cloud, 9%
  • Azure, 7%
  • OSPF, 6%
  • EIGRP, 5%
  • Emerging Technologies, 5%
  • VMware, 4%
Common network support analyst skills
  • Troubleshoot, 6%
  • Switches, 5%
  • Routers, 4%
  • Problem Resolution, 4%
  • Firewall, 4%
  • Network Support, 4%

Browse computer and mathematical jobs