Server engineer vs network security engineer

The differences between server engineers and network security 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 server engineer and a network security engineer. Additionally, a server engineer has an average salary of $105,940, which is higher than the $88,322 average annual salary of a network security engineer.

The top three skills for a server engineer include windows server, powershell and linux. The most important skills for a network security engineer are network security, windows, and cisco asa.

Server engineer vs network security engineer overview

	Server Engineer	Network Security Engineer
Yearly salary	$105,940	$88,322
Hourly rate	$50.93	$42.46
Growth rate	5%	5%
Number of jobs	142,173	91,892
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 61%	Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	2	2

What does a server engineer do?

A server engineer specializes in designing and developing server structures in a company, ensuring accuracy and client satisfaction. They typically work together with technicians and specialists to analyze and assess existing systems to identify their strengths and weaknesses, implement solutions in problem areas, provide technical support, and develop strategies to optimize operations. Furthermore, as a server engineer, they are also in charge of installing and performing regular maintenance checks on servers, coordinating corrective measures in a prompt and efficient manner.

What does a network security engineer do?

A network security engineer is responsible for maintaining the safety and security of all the organization's network systems, conducting regular configuration and maintenance to avoid unauthorized access and suspicious activities that may pose risks for the company's integrity. Network security engineers manage security threats and strategize resolutions to mitigate the reoccurrence of security issues. They also develop security enhancement recommendations, update network infrastructure, and monitor system activities. A network security engineer should have excellent communication and technical skills, as well as a strong command of programming languages and system codes.

Server engineer vs network security engineer salary

Server engineers and network security engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Server Engineer	Network Security Engineer
Average salary	$105,940	$88,322
Salary range	Between $76,000 And $146,000	Between $64,000 And $120,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	California	California
Best paying company	Meta	The Knot
Best paying industry	Telecommunication	Retail

Differences between server engineer and network security engineer education

There are a few differences between a server engineer and a network security engineer in terms of educational background:

	Server Engineer	Network Security Engineer
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 61%	Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Most common major	Computer Science	Computer Science
Most common college	Massachusetts Institute of Technology	Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Server engineer vs network security engineer demographics

Here are the differences between server engineers' and network security engineers' demographics:

	Server Engineer	Network Security Engineer
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 91.9% Female, 8.1%	Male, 90.7% Female, 9.3%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 8.4% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 12.1% Asian, 12.1% White, 62.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%	Black or African American, 8.0% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.7% Asian, 13.9% White, 61.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	9%	9%

Differences between server engineer and network security engineer duties and responsibilities

Server engineer example responsibilities.

Work with SAN, database, network, and backup administrators to deploy and manage infrastructure as a team.
Maintain, monitor, manage and right size the VM environment using industry virtualization tools on a daily basis.
Deploy and manage Citrix environments utilizing publish desktops and publish applications to make available to users both internally and externally.
Convert to GC and DNS server and DHCP server.
Used PowerShell to script DNS changes on all servers in company.
Build networks from the ground up and select the server hardware OS and software base on the customer needs.

Network security engineer example responsibilities.

Add and manage nodes in SolarWinds for monitoring purposes using SNMP v1/v2/v3.
Work with VMware NSX with deployment of greenfield environment and managing and troubleshooting issues with NSX.
Interact successfully with both program leads and DoD customer to ensure objectives are completed on time.
Experience in managing and troubleshooting Linux or Unix base operating systems.
Manage information technology security, including backups, firewalls, and routers.
Design and manage information systems security policy, implementation, and management for a globally distribute MPLS infrastructure.

Server engineer vs network security engineer skills

Common server engineer skills

Windows Server, 10%
PowerShell, 6%
Linux, 5%
Java, 5%
Microsoft Windows, 4%
SAN, 3%

Common network security engineer skills

Network Security, 10%
Windows, 5%
Cisco Asa, 4%
Switches, 4%
Linux, 4%
Troubleshoot, 3%

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Server Engineer vs Network Security Engineer

Updated January 8, 2025

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