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The differences between wireless network 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 wireless network engineer and a network security engineer. Additionally, a wireless network engineer has an average salary of $101,117, which is higher than the $88,322 average annual salary of a network security engineer.
The top three skills for a wireless network engineer include RF, wireless network and switches. The most important skills for a network security engineer are network security, windows, and cisco asa.
| Wireless Network Engineer | Network Security Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $101,117 | $88,322 |
| Hourly rate | $48.61 | $42.46 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 43,368 | 91,892 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| 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 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.
Wireless network engineers and network security engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Wireless Network Engineer | Network Security Engineer | |
| Average salary | $101,117 | $88,322 |
| Salary range | Between $77,000 And $132,000 | 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 | Retail | Retail |
There are a few differences between a wireless network engineer and a network security engineer in terms of educational background:
| Wireless Network Engineer | Network Security Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| 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 security engineers' demographics:
| Wireless Network Engineer | Network Security Engineer | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 89.7% Female, 10.3% | Male, 90.7% Female, 9.3% |
| 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, 8.0% 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% |