Network & Computer Systems Administrators

Also Called: Information Technology Specialist (IT Specialist), Local Area Network Administrator (LAN Administrator), Network Administrator, Systems Administrator

What Network & Computer Systems Administrators do

Install, configure, and maintain an organization's local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), data communications network, operating systems, and physical and virtual servers. Perform system monitoring and verify the integrity and availability of hardware, network, and server resources and systems. Review system and application logs and verify completion of scheduled jobs, including system backups. Analyze network and server resource consumption and control user access. Install and upgrade software and maintain software licenses. May assist in network modeling, analysis, planning, and coordination between network and data communications hardware and software.

  • Maintain and administer computer networks and related computing environments including computer hardware, systems software, applications software, and all configurations.
  • Perform data backups and disaster recovery operations.
  • Diagnose, troubleshoot, and resolve hardware, software, or other network and system problems, and replace defective components when necessary.
Industry Areas:

Information Technology

Training Program Areas:

Computer Networking/CISCO • Computer Technician • OCT-Only Information Technology

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Work Context

  • Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
  • Electronic Mail
  • Telephone
  • Face-to-Face Discussions
  • Contact With Others

Tools

  • Network analyzers
  • Cable accessories
  • Hard disk arrays
  • Server load balancer
  • Punches or nail sets or drifts

Technology

Network monitoring software
Nagios
Wireshark
Data base user interface and query software
Blackboard software
Transact-SQL
Web platform development software
Microsoft ASP.NET
Microsoft ASP.NET Core MVC

The Education & Training You Need

Skills

  • Critical Thinking
  • Judgment and Decision Making
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Systems Analysis
  • Active Listening

Knowledge

Engineering and Technology
computers and electronics
product and service development
Arts and Humanities
English language
Business
customer service
administrative services
Communications
telecommunications

Education

  • 52% Bachelor's degree
  • 20% Associate's degree
  • 10% Some college, no degree

Experience

A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.

What are your training options on the pathway to this occupation?

Are You a Good Fit?

Occupation Traits

  • Conventional (Organizer)
  • Investigative (Thinker)
  • Realistic (Doer)

Work Styles

  • Attention to Detail
  • Analytical Thinking
  • Dependability
  • Integrity
  • Cooperation
  • Independence

Values

  • Working Conditions
  • Support
  • Achievement

Abilities

  • Verbal
  • Ideas and Logic
  • Math

This is what Network & Computer Systems Administrators across the country typically make.

$28.21 / hour
$58,680 /year

Entry Level

$45.84 / hour
$95,360 /year

Median Level

$71.49 / hour
$148,710 /year

Experienced Level

Income information reflects a regional average.
Income information reflects a national average.

This career’s National Job Outlook is

Average

Please be sure to verify the outlook of this occupation with your instructor.

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