July 9, 2026 | Manitoba

A Network Administrator keeps an organization's computers, servers, and connections running, while a Database Administrator manages the systems that store and protect its data. Both roles are important in an organization, with Job Bank listing median wages of $36.36 and $38.94 an hour in Manitoba. Here is how the two careers compare — and how you can train for both. 

What Is a Network Administrator? 

A Network Administrator installs, configures, and maintains the networks that connect to an organization's computers, servers, and devices. In Manitoba, this work is classified under NOC 22220 (Computer network and web technicians), where Job Bank reports a median wage of $36.36 an hour, ranging from $20.41 to $49.00. 

If a company can share files, reach the internet, or log in securely from another building, a network administrator likely made that possible. Day-to-day responsibilities usually include: 

• setting up and monitoring local and wide area networks (LANs and WANs) 
• configuring routers, switches, servers, and user accounts 
• troubleshooting connectivity, speed, and access problems 
• applying security updates and managing permissions 

Network administrators work everywhere from small firms with a single office network to large organizations with sites in multiple locations. Employment is spread across nearly every industry, because almost every workplace now depends on a stable, secure network. 

What Is a Database Administrator? 
 

A Database Administrator (DBA) designs, maintains, and secures the systems that store an organization's information, from customer records to financial and inventory data. In Manitoba, database administrators fall under NOC 21223 (Database analysts and data administrators), with a Job Bank median wage of $38.94 an hour, ranging from $31.25 to $47.12. 

While a network administrator keeps the pipes flowing, a DBA makes sure the information moving through them is accurate, available, and protected. Typical duties include: 

• installing and configuring database software such as SQL Server 
• writing and optimizing queries to retrieve and manage data 
• managing backups, recovery, and data integrity 
• controlling who can access which information 

Because organizations increasingly run data, DBAs are valued for keeping that data reliable and safe. The role tends to sit slightly higher on the wage scale than network administration, reflecting the specialized skills involved. 

Network Administrator vs. Database Administrator: Key Differences 

The clearest way to see the difference is side by side. 

The two roles are closely linked. Databases live on networked servers, so a network administrator often maintains the environment a database runs in, while the DBA manages the data itself.

In smaller Manitoba organizations, one person may even handle both, which is why cross-training in the two areas is so valuable. 

What Skills Needed for Network Administrator and Database Administrator? 

Network administration relies on strong fundamentals in: 

• TCP/IP and subnetting 
• router and switch configuration 
• server administration on Windows Server and Linux 
• cloud basics 
• everyday security practices 

Database administration calls for a solid grasp of: 

• relational database concepts 
• SQL for querying and managing data 
• backup and recovery procedures 
• performance tuning 
• data security 

Both careers share the same starting point: core IT knowledge. Understanding hardware, operating systems, and structured troubleshooting is the foundation that supports either specialization, and it is why most training programs begin there before branching into networking or databases. 

Do You Need Cisco or Other Certifications? 

Industry and vendor certifications have become a benchmark employers use during hiring, so they are worth understanding early. The ones that matter most for these roles are: 

• Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA): many learners search for a “Cisco certified network administrator” credential, but the recognized Cisco certification is actually the CCNA, which validates core networking skills such as configuring, operating, and troubleshooting networks. 
• CompTIA A+: covers computer hardware, operating systems, and troubleshooting fundamentals. 
• CompTIA Network+: covers networking concepts, infrastructure, and operations. 
• CompTIA Security+: covers baseline security skills that apply across IT roles. 

For database work, hands-on familiarity with SQL and platforms like SQL Server usually matters more than any single exam when you are starting out. Building real, demonstrable skills is what moves a résumé to the top of the pile. 

Network Administrator and Database Administrator Training in Manitoba 

You do not have to choose only one path at the start. The CDI College Network and Database Administrator Program in Winnipeg is built to develop both network and database administration skills, along with the computer user support skills employers expect. 

Program details include: 

• 1,280 hours of training over 64 weeks full-time 
• graduates receive the Network and Database Administrator Diploma 
• program highlights covering Windows Server, cloud computing, Windows client operating system, Linux, Cisco, and SQL Server 
• coursework that helps students prepare for certification examinations in four areas: CompTIA A+, Network+, and Security+, and the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) 
• admission through high school graduation or equivalent, or mature student status 

Because this database administrator program content is delivered alongside full network administrator training, graduates can pursue roles that map to both NOC 22220 and NOC 21223. For someone entering Manitoba's technology industry, that combination widens your options rather than locking you into a single track. 

Focused only on Network Administrator Courses? A Shorter Option 

Because the Network and Database Administrator program covers both network and database administration, you are not choosing one career over the other, you graduate prepared for roles in either field, or both. 

If your goal is specifically network administration and you would prefer a shorter path, CDI College's Winnipeg campus also offers the Network Administrator Diploma Program. It runs 1,000 hours over 50 weeks, shorter than the combined program, and concentrates on the networking core, helping students prepare for certification examinations in CompTIA A+, Network+, and the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA). 

The decision comes down to a simple question: do you want to add database administration skills on top of your networking training, or focus on networking alone and become a network administrator sooner? 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Is a network administrator the same as a database administrator? 

Do I need a university degree for either role?

How long does the Network and Database Administrator courses take?