Career comparison
Electrician vs. Network Administrator
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Network administrators earn more at the median ($99,130 vs. $63,190), while network administrators usually get to work faster (1–4 years of training). Electricians install, maintain and repair electrical wiring, panels and equipment safely to code. Network administrators design, run and secure the networks and servers organizations depend on.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Electrician | Network Administrator | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $63,190 ($30.38/hr) | $99,130 ($47.66/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $42,640 – $108,510 | $62,640 – $155,050 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +9.2% (much faster than average) | -4.1% (a projected decline) |
| Openings per year | 72,700 | 13,400 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | Bachelor's degree |
| Training time | 4–5 years (paid apprenticeship) | 1–4 years |
| Key credential | Journeyman electrician license | CompTIA Network+ |
| Work setting | Electricians work indoors and outdoors at construction sites, homes, businesses and factories. | Network administrators work in offices, data centers and remotely for businesses, schools, hospitals, government and managed service providers. |
What each job does
Electrician
- Read blueprints, schematics and electrical plans
- Install conduit, wiring, panels, breakers, receptacles and fixtures
- Inspect and test electrical systems with meters and testers
- Troubleshoot and repair faults in circuits, motors and controls
- Follow the National Electrical Code (NEC) and local codes
Network Administrator
- Install and configure network hardware and software
- Manage switches, routers, firewalls and wireless access points
- Monitor network performance and security
- Administer servers, user accounts and cloud services
- Apply updates, patches and configuration changes
How they’re similar
Both careers involve problem-solving, indoor work, and high responsibility. They sit in different fields, skilled trades & construction and technology, but share transferable skills such as problem-solving and methodical troubleshooting.
Which should you choose?
Choose electrician if…
- I like working with my hands and solving technical problems
- I’m comfortable with math and following detailed diagrams
- I respect safety rules, and follow them every time
Choose network administrator if…
- I like understanding how systems connect and communicate
- I troubleshoot methodically
- I’m OK with after-hours maintenance sometimes
Still torn? Take the Electrician fit quiz and the Network Administrator fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, electrician or network administrator?
Network Administrators earn more at the median: $99,130 versus $63,190 for electricians, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Network Administrators typically train faster (1–4 years) than electricians (4–5 years (paid apprenticeship)).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects electricians to grow +9.2% from 2025–35, compared with -4.1% for network administrators.