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

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

Austin College

Bard College

Barnard College

Baylor University

Bellevue University

Belmont University

Beloit College

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 College

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...

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-...

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-...

Utica College

Valparaiso University

Vincennes University- Vin...

Walsh University

Webster University

Wesleyan University

Wittenberg University

Worcester Polytechnic Ins...

Wright State University

Academy Of Learning- H...

Academy Of Learning- R...

Algoma University- Bra...

Athabasca University

Bishop's University

Canadian Institute Of...

Cdi College- Anjou Cam...

Cdi College- Calgary N...

Cdi College- Calgary S...

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...

College Of The North A...

Conestoga College- Wat...

Fanshawe College- Lond...

Herzing College- Ottaw...

Ibt College

Keyin College

King's University

Lambton College

Lasalle College

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

Related Careers

Software Developer

Computer Hardware Engineer

Computer Programmer

Database Administrator

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/.