Network and Computer Systems Administrators

Summary

What Network and Computer Systems Administrators Do About this section

Administrators fix computer server problems.

Network and computer systems administrators install, configure, and maintain organizations’ local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), data communication networks, operating systems, and servers.

Duties

Network and computer systems administrators typically do the following:

• Determine an organization’s network and system needs and install operating and application hardware and software
• Provide input on hardware or software for an organization's purchasing decisions
• Make needed upgrades and repairs to networks and ensure that systems are operating correctly
• Maintain network and computer system security
• Evaluate and optimize network and system performance
• Add users to a network and assign security permissions
• Train users on the organization’s network and systems
• Diagnose and resolve problems when alerted by a user or an automated monitoring system

Network and computer systems administrators may oversee both networks and systems, but they often specialize in one or the other. Network administrators typically focus on setting up and maintaining the infrastructure that connects an organization’s computers. Systems administrators set up and maintain organizations’ software and enable user access. 

Network administrators install, configure, and manage computer infrastructure, such as routers, switches, and cables, that support an organization’s computer networks. These networks include Local Area Networks (LANs), which connect devices in a single location, and Wide Area Networks (WANs), which connect multiple LANs or locations. They may help computer network architects design and analyze network models. Some administrators manage telecommunication networks.

Systems administrators manage an organization’s servers and desktop and mobile equipment and software. They ensure that email and data storage networks within an organization’s computer system work properly. They install and configure software and system updates and monitor system performance to ensure that employees’ workstations are efficient.

Some administrators provide technical support to users, such as when computer support specialists are unable to resolve a problem.

Work Environment About this section

Network and computer systems administrators collaborate with other IT workers.

Network and computer systems administrators held about 335,400 jobs in 2023. The largest employers of network and computer systems administrators were as follows:

Network and computer systems administrators are employed by a variety of organizations and work in a variety of settings. In addition to those shown in the table, top employers also include manufacturing industries, healthcare providers, and government agencies.

Network and computer systems administrators often collaborate with many types of information technology (IT) workers, such as computer support specialists, database administrators, computer network architects, and computer and information systems managers.

Work Schedules

Most network and computer systems administrators work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. Administrators may need to work evenings, nights, or weekends to monitor, maintain, or update networks and systems.

How to Become a Network and Computer Systems Administrator About this section

Administrators need analytical skills to ensure that networks and systems perform reliably.

To enter the occupation, network and computer systems administrators typically need a bachelor’s degree in a field related to computer or information science. Others may require a postsecondary certificate or an associate’s degree.

Education

Some employers require a postsecondary certificate or an associate's degree. However, network and computer systems administrators typically need a bachelor's degree in computer and information technology or a related field, such as engineering. These programs usually include courses in computer programming, networking, and systems design.

Network and computer systems administrators need to keep up with developments in the constantly changing field of information technology (IT). They may continue to take courses throughout their careers and attend IT conferences to keep up with the latest technology.

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

Employers may require their network and computer systems administrators to be certified in the products they use. Certification programs usually are offered directly from vendors or from vendor-neutral certification providers. Certification validates the knowledge and the use of best practices that are required of network and computer systems administrators.

Advancement

Network administrators may advance to become computer network architects. They also may advance to managerial jobs in IT departments, such as computer and information systems managers.

Important Qualities

Analytical skills. Administrators need to evaluate networks and systems to make sure that they perform reliably and to anticipate new requirements as organizations’ needs change.

Communication skills. Administrators should be able to explain technical concepts and processes to non-IT workers.

Creative skills. Administrators may need to take an innovative approach to make networks or systems work, such as when integrating new products with existing hardware or software.

Multitasking skills. Administrators may have to work on many tasks at the same time, whether setup, monitoring, or troubleshooting.

Problem-solving skills. Administrators must be able to resolve problems that arise with computer networks and systems.

Technical skills. Administrators need programming skills and the ability to work with a variety of computer hardware and software.

Pay About this section

The median annual wage for network and computer systems administrators was $96,800 in May 2024. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $60,320, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $150,320.

In May 2024, the median annual wages for network and computer systems administrators in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

Most network and computer systems administrators work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. Administrators may need to work evenings, nights, or weekends to monitor, maintain, or update networks and systems.

Job Outlook About this section

Employment of network and computer systems administrators is projected to decline 3 percent from 2023 to 2033.

Despite declining employment, about 16,400 openings for network and computer systems administrators are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Employment

Network and computer systems administrators will continue to be needed throughout the economy to maintain and upgrade computer networks. However, some of their tasks are increasingly being done by software developers focused on DevOps (development operations), and some tasks are being outsourced to companies who provide Networks-as-a-Service. Additionally, systems administrators are increasingly automating routine tasks.

State & Area Data About this section

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)

The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link below goes to OEWS data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Use the dropdown boxes to select an occupation.

• Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) Profiles

Projections Central

Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.org. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved.

CareerOneStop

CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.

Contacts for More Information About this section

For more information about computer careers, visit

Association for Computing Machinery

CompTIA

IEEE Computer Society

For information about opportunities for women pursuing information technology careers, visit

National Center for Women & Information Technology

O*NET

Network and Computer Systems Administrators