What Does it Take to Be a Network and Computer Systems Administrator?
Career Description Install, configure, and support an organization’s local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), and Internet systems or a segment of a network system. Monitor network to ensure network availability to all system users and may perform necessary maintenance to support network availability. May monitor and test Web site performance to ensure Web sites operate correctly and without interruption. May assist in network modeling, analysis, planning, and coordination between network and data communications hardware and software. May supervise computer user support specialists and computer network support specialists. May administer network security measures.
Daily Life Of a Network & Computer Systems Administrator
- Maintain an inventory of parts for emergency repairs.
- Research new technologies by attending seminars, reading trade articles, or taking classes, and implement or recommend the implementation of new technologies.
- Recommend changes to improve systems and network configurations, and determine hardware or software requirements related to such changes.
- Perform data backups and disaster recovery operations.
- Analyze equipment performance records to determine the need for repair or replacement.
- Coordinate with vendors and with company personnel to facilitate purchases.
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Things a Network & Computer Systems Administrator Should Know How to Do
When polled, Network and Computer Systems Administrators say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Systems Analysis: Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Unix Administrator
- Network Manager
- IT Systems Administrator (Information Technology Systems Administrator)
- Computer Systems Security Administrator
- Network Administrator
Is There Going to be Demand for Network and Computer Systems Administrators?
There were about 391,300 jobs for Network and Computer Systems Administrator in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 6.1% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 24,000 new jobs for Network and Computer Systems Administrator by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 27,000 job openings in this field each year.
The states with the most job growth for Network & Computer Systems Administrator are Utah, Washington, and Louisiana. Watch out if you plan on working in New Jersey, Ohio, or Maine. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Average Network and Computer Systems Administrators Salary
The typical yearly salary for Network and Computer Systems Administrators is somewhere between $50,990 and $130,720.
Network and Computer Systems Administrators who work in Maryland, District of Columbia, or California, make the highest salaries.
How much do Network and Computer Systems Administrators make in each U.S. state?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $76,370 |
| Alaska | $82,980 |
| Arizona | $85,850 |
| Arkansas | $65,220 |
| California | $97,810 |
| Colorado | $84,170 |
| Connecticut | $93,230 |
| Delaware | $80,990 |
| District of Columbia | $99,920 |
| Florida | $79,070 |
| Georgia | $86,910 |
| Hawaii | $86,530 |
| Idaho | $66,930 |
| Illinois | $86,290 |
| Indiana | $75,500 |
| Iowa | $74,940 |
| Kansas | $75,940 |
| Kentucky | $64,320 |
| Louisiana | $68,380 |
| Maine | $76,780 |
| Maryland | $108,190 |
| Massachusetts | $91,470 |
| Michigan | $77,580 |
| Minnesota | $85,620 |
| Mississippi | $75,000 |
| Missouri | $82,160 |
| Montana | $64,780 |
| Nebraska | $78,620 |
| Nevada | $84,330 |
| New Hampshire | $87,720 |
| New Jersey | $99,070 |
| New Mexico | $76,700 |
| New York | $94,940 |
| North Carolina | $84,870 |
| North Dakota | $71,180 |
| Ohio | $80,500 |
| Oklahoma | $73,130 |
| Oregon | $82,020 |
| Pennsylvania | $77,700 |
| Rhode Island | $90,600 |
| South Carolina | $75,630 |
| South Dakota | $62,420 |
| Tennessee | $80,030 |
| Texas | $89,500 |
| Utah | $81,430 |
| Vermont | $75,170 |
| Virginia | $93,860 |
| Washington | $92,750 |
| West Virginia | $68,980 |
| Wisconsin | $75,320 |
| Wyoming | $66,340 |
What Tools & Technology do Network and Computer Systems Administrators Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Network and Computer Systems Administrators:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office
- Hypertext markup language HTML
- JavaScript
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Git
- Microsoft Outlook
- Python
- jQuery
- Microsoft Access
- Node.js
- MySQL
- Data entry software
- MongoDB
- SAP
- Microsoft Windows
- Microsoft Project
- Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Microsoft Visio
Becoming a Network & Computer Systems Administrator
Learn what Network and Computer Systems Administrator education requirements there are.
How many years of work experience do I need?
Where Network and Computer Systems Administrators Work
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
References:
Image Credit: U.S. Army graphic via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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