Network and Systems Administrators

Network and Systems Administrators

Career Overview

Network and computer systems administrators are responsible for the day-to-day operation of computer networks.

Education

Most employers require network and computer systems administrators to have a bachelor’s degree in a field related to computer or information science. Others may require only a postsecondary certificate or an associate’s degree.

Future Outlook

Employment of network and computer systems administrators is projected to grow 4 percent from 2019 to 2029, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Demand for information technology (IT) workers is high and should continue to grow as firms invest in newer, faster technology and mobile networks.

Work Environment

Network and computer systems administrators work with the physical computer networks of a variety of organizations and therefore are employed in many industries.

Recommended High School Courses

  • Computer Programming
  • Computer Science
  • Communication

  • Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
  • 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.
  • Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
  • Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  • Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Equipment Maintenance - Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
  • Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
  • Management of Personnel Resources - Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.
  • Mathematics - Using mathematics to solve problems.
  • Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • Operation and Control - Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
  • Operation Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
  • Operations Analysis - Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
  • Programming - Writing computer programs for various purposes.
  • Quality Control Analysis - Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
  • Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
  • Repairing - Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
  • Service Orientation - Actively looking for ways to help people.
  • Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
  • Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Systems Analysis - Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
  • Systems Evaluation - Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
  • Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
  • Troubleshooting - Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
  • Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
  • Clerical - Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
  • Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
  • Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
  • Engineering and Technology - Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
  • English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
  • Telecommunications - Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
  • Category Flexibility - The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
  • Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • Flexibility of Closure - The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
  • Fluency of Ideas - The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
  • Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
  • Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
  • Mathematical Reasoning - The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
  • Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • Number Facility - The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.
  • Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Originality - The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
  • Perceptual Speed - The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
  • Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
  • Selective Attention - The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
  • Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
  • Speech Recognition - The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
  • Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
  • Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
  • Maintain computer networks to enhance performance and user access.
  • Implement security measures for computer or information systems.
  • Create electronic data backup to prevent loss of information.
  • Resolve computer network problems.
  • Resolve computer software problems.
  • Troubleshoot issues with computer applications or systems.
  • Monitor the performance of computer networks.
  • Develop computer or information security policies or procedures.
  • Analyze data to identify or resolve operational problems.
  • Provide technical support for computer network issues.
  • Analyze project data to determine specifications or requirements.
  • Identify information technology project resource requirements.
  • Recommend changes to improve computer or information systems.
  • Collaborate with others to resolve information technology issues.
  • Design integrated computer systems.
  • Test computer hardware performance.
  • Test software performance.
  • Document operational activities.
  • Install computer hardware.
  • Train others in computer interface or software use.
  • Document network-related activities or tasks.
  • Collect data about customer needs.
  • Coordinate resource procurement activities.
  • Conduct research to gain information about products or processes.
  • Maintain the inventory of equipment.
  • Update knowledge about emerging industry or technology trends.

Schools

usa_school
Adams State University
Adelphi University
Alfred State College
Allegheny College
American Intercontinental...
American University
Appalachian State Univers...
Arcadia University
Arizona State University
Arizona Western College
Arkansas Tech University
Assumption College
Auburn University
Augustana University
Barnard College
Baylor University
Bellevue University
Belmont University
Bemidji State University
Bentley University
Bethel University
Bethel University (indian...
Biola University
Birmingham Southern Colle...
Bismarck State College
Bluefield State College-...
Bob Jones University
Boise State University
Boston University
Bowdoin College
Bowling Green State Unive...
Bradley University
Brandeis University
Brescia University
Broward College
Cal Poly Pomona
Charleston Southern Unive...
College Of Business And T...
College Of Business And T...
Columbus State Community...
Concordia University- Tex...
Concordia University-chic...
Cuny John Jay College Of...
Cuyahoga Community Colleg...
Dallas College West Dalla...
Daytona State College
Delaware Technical And Co...
Depaul University
Diablo Valley College
East Carolina University
East Central University -...
East Tennessee State Univ...
Edinboro University
Embry-riddle Aeronautical...
Emily Griffith Technical...
Fairmont State University
Fayetteville State Univer...
Ferris State University
Fisk University
Florida Polytechnic Unive...
Florida State College At...
Florida State University
Fontbonne University
Fordham University
Frostburg State Universit...
Full Sail University
Gadsden State Community C...
Grantham University
Gwynedd Mercy University
Hanover College
Harvey Mudd College
Herzing University- Atlan...
Herzing University- Madis...
Illinois State University
Independence University
Kent State University
Kettering University
Lehigh University
Lewis University
Liberty University
Matanuska-susitna College
New College Of Florida
New England Institute Of...
New York University
North Carolina A & T Stat...
Oakton Community College-...
Oklahoma State University...
Palm Beach State College-...
Palm Beach State College-...
Pennsylvania State Univer...
Pennsylvania State Univer...
Pennsylvania State Univer...
Purdue Polytechnic Instit...
Roosevelt University
Seattle Central College
Stevens Institute Of Tech...
Suny At Morrisville
Tulane University
United States Coast Guard...
University Of California-...
University Of Charleston
University Of Dallas
University Of Denver
University Of Louisville
University Of Lynchburg
University Of Maine- Fort...
University Of Maryland- B...
University Of Maryland- E...
University Of Maryland- H...
University Of Maryland- S...
University Of Missouri- S...
University Of Montana
University Of Mount Union
University Of New Haven
University Of Phoenix
University Of Rhode Islan...
University Of Saint Mary
University Of South Flori...
University Of Texas- El P...
University Of Texas- Perm...
University Of The Cumberl...
University Of Tulsa
University Of Wisconsin-...
Valparaiso University
Vincennes University- Vin...
Walsh University
Webster University
Wesleyan University
Wittenberg University
Worcester Polytechnic Ins...
Wright State University
canada_school
Academy Of Learning- H...
Academy Of Learning- R...
Algoma University- Bra...
Athabasca University
Bishop's University
Canadian Institute Of...
Canadian Institute Of...
Cdi College- Anjou Cam...
Cdi College- Calgary N...
Cdi College- Calgary S...
Cdi College- Edmonton...
Cdi College- Edmonton...
Cdi College- Edmonton...
Cdi College- Laval Cam...
Cdi College- Mississau...
Cdi College- North Yor...
Cdi College- Richmond...
Cdi College- Scarborou...
Cdi College- Surrey Ca...
Cdi College- Vancouver...
Cdi College- Winnipeg...
Centre For Arts And Te...
Centre For Arts And Te...
College Of The North A...
College Of The North A...
Conestoga College- Wat...
Fanshawe College- Lond...
Herzing College- Ottaw...
King's University
Lambton College
Lasalle College
New Brunswick Communit...
New Brunswick Communit...
New Brunswick Communit...
New Brunswick Communit...
Northern Alberta Insti...
Okanagan College- Kelo...
Queen's College
Red River College- Exc...
Robertson College- Mai...
St. Francis Xavier Uni...

Potential Scholarships

5 Strong Scholarship
Agnes M. Lindsay Scholars...

Approx Salary Expectation

Currency:
Low End:
$52,370.00 /yr
Avg/Med:
$83,510.00 /yr
High End:
$132,520.00 /yr

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/.
Trend Analysis - Explorer the Market, Labour Market Information, Government of Canada https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/trend-analysis.
O*NET OnLine, National Center for O*NET Development, https://www.onetonline.org/.