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The differences between wireless network engineers and network technicians 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 technician. Additionally, a wireless network engineer has an average salary of $101,117, which is higher than the $68,938 average annual salary of a network technician.
The top three skills for a wireless network engineer include RF, wireless network and switches. The most important skills for a network technician are customer service, switches, and troubleshoot.
| Wireless Network Engineer | Network Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $101,117 | $68,938 |
| Hourly rate | $48.61 | $33.14 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 43,368 | 79,712 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 50% |
| 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 technician is responsible for system malfunction diagnosis and troubleshooting operations. Network technicians duties' include repairing damaged system components, analyzing computer systems and blueprints, installing network connections, and upgrading accessories for efficient operations. Other duties include assisting customers with technical issues, ensuring computer systems' privacy, creating documents of network issues and resolutions, and suggesting alternative equipment for network backups. A network technician must have a broad knowledge of the technology industry and mechanical processes, plus the ability to work under pressure with minimal supervision.
Wireless network engineers and network technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Wireless Network Engineer | Network Technician | |
| Average salary | $101,117 | $68,938 |
| Salary range | Between $77,000 And $132,000 | Between $51,000 And $92,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Urban Honolulu, HI |
| Highest paying state | California | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Meta | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Finance |
There are a few differences between a wireless network engineer and a network technician in terms of educational background:
| Wireless Network Engineer | Network Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 50% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Computer Science |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between wireless network engineers' and network technicians' demographics:
| Wireless Network Engineer | Network Technician | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 89.7% Female, 10.3% | Male, 87.3% Female, 12.7% |
| 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, 8.9% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.6% Asian, 9.4% White, 63.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |