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The differences between wireless network engineers 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 wireless network engineer and a network administrator. Additionally, a wireless network engineer has an average salary of $101,117, which is higher than the $71,357 average annual salary of a network administrator.
The top three skills for a wireless network engineer include RF, wireless network and switches. The most important skills for a network administrator are switches, windows server, and troubleshoot.
| Wireless Network Engineer | Network Administrator | |
| Yearly salary | $101,117 | $71,357 |
| Hourly rate | $48.61 | $34.31 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 43,368 | 106,886 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 55% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A Wireless Network Engineer specializes in designing and developing wireless telecommunication systems and networks. They are responsible for understanding the client or company's needs, performing installations and upgrades, configuring wireless equipment, conducting assessments and inspections, troubleshooting problems, and performing corrective measures and adjustments as necessary. They must also create strategies to optimize local wireless networks, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. Wireless Network Engineers must manage and lead staff to reach goals, all while promoting and implementing the company's policies and regulations.
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.
Wireless network engineers and network administrators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Wireless Network Engineer | Network Administrator | |
| Average salary | $101,117 | $71,357 |
| Salary range | Between $77,000 And $132,000 | Between $56,000 And $90,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | Meta | |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Finance |
There are a few differences between a wireless network engineer and a network administrator in terms of educational background:
| Wireless Network Engineer | Network Administrator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 55% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Computer Science |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between wireless network engineers' and network administrators' demographics:
| Wireless Network Engineer | Network Administrator | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 89.7% Female, 10.3% | Male, 88.6% Female, 11.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.9% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.7% Asian, 13.8% White, 61.2% 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 Percentage | 9% | 9% |