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If you're thinking about pursuing an online IT degree program and are researching career opportunities in the IT field, then you may have discovered similar job titles and are unsure of the subtle differences between each. For example, one might question the differences between a network administrator and a system administrator. At first glance, the role each plays in an organization can be unclear and the two may seem interchangeable.
There is reasonable demand for both positions, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting 6% job growth for network and computer systems administrators through 2026 (about the same rate as the national average).1 Yet while there is some overlap in typical job descriptions, there are key differences in areas ranging from daily responsibilities to certification paths. Knowing these differences can help you clarify which option may fit for your experience, interests and career goals.
Network Administrators Focus on Computers Working Together
A Network Administrator's main responsibilities include installing, configuring, and supporting an organization's local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), internet systems, and/or a segment of a network system.2 Daily job duties may depend on the size of a company's network. For example, at a smaller company, a network administrator may be directly responsible for performing updates and maintenance on network and IT systems, as well as overseeing network switches and setting up and monitoring a virtual private network (VPN). However, at a larger company, responsibilities may be more broad and managerial, such as overseeing a team of IT specialists and working with network architects to make decisions about equipment and hardware purchases and upgrades.
