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The differences between wireless network engineers 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 wireless network engineer and a network support analyst. Additionally, a wireless network engineer has an average salary of $101,117, which is higher than the $83,921 average annual salary of a network support analyst.
The top three skills for a wireless network engineer include RF, wireless network and switches. The most important skills for a network support analyst are troubleshoot, switches, and routers.
| Wireless Network Engineer | Network Support Analyst | |
| Yearly salary | $101,117 | $83,921 |
| Hourly rate | $48.61 | $40.35 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 43,368 | 118,825 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 53% |
| 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.
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.
Wireless network engineers and network support analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Wireless Network Engineer | Network Support Analyst | |
| Average salary | $101,117 | $83,921 |
| Salary range | Between $77,000 And $132,000 | Between $54,000 And $128,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Meta | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Technology |
There are a few differences between a wireless network engineer and a network support analyst in terms of educational background:
| Wireless Network Engineer | Network Support Analyst | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 53% |
| 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 support analysts' demographics:
| Wireless Network Engineer | Network Support Analyst | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 89.7% Female, 10.3% | Male, 84.3% Female, 15.7% |
| 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, 10.9% White, 62.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |