Network and Computer Systems Administrators
Information TechnologyO*NET 15-1244.00United States
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.
- Median annual earnings
- $98,819
- Projected change
- +0.7%
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Employment
- 328.8K jobs
50th percentile, United States
2025 to 2035
52.4% of the workforce
Growing to 331.23K by 2035
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The work
What network and computer systems administrators do
Tasks reported for this occupation, ordered by how often they come up in the role.
- 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.
- Configure, monitor, and maintain email applications or virus protection software.
- Operate master consoles to monitor the performance of computer systems and networks and to coordinate computer network access and use.
- Plan, coordinate, and implement network security measures to protect data, software, and hardware.
- Monitor network performance to determine whether adjustments are needed and where changes will be needed in the future.
- Analyze equipment performance records to determine the need for repair or replacement.
- Design, configure, and test computer hardware, networking software and operating system software.
- Recommend changes to improve systems and network configurations, and determine hardware or software requirements related to such changes.
- Confer with network users about solutions to existing system problems.
- Perform routine network startup and shutdown procedures, and maintain control records.
- Load computer tapes and disks, and install software and printer paper or forms.
- Train people in computer system use.
- Maintain logs related to network functions, as well as maintenance and repair records.
- Gather data pertaining to customer needs, and use the information to identify, predict, interpret, and evaluate system and network requirements.
- Coordinate with vendors and with company personnel to facilitate purchases.
Pay and outlook
What the job pays and where it is heading
Annual earnings range
Reported earnings by percentile, United States
- 10th percentile
- $62,194
- 25th percentile
- $77,639
- 50th percentile
- $98,819
- 75th percentile
- $126,440
- 90th percentile
- $155,185
The gold marker shows the median. Half earn more than $98,819 and half earn less.
Employment outlook
2025 to 2035 projection
+0.7%average or slower
2025328,802 jobs
2035 projected331,233 jobs
2,431 more positions over the decade, before replacement hiring.
Preparation
Education levels
What people currently working in the career hold. These are not entry requirements.
- Bachelor's degree
- 52.4%
- Associate degree
- 20.3%
- Master's or Professional degree
- 10.1%
- Some college
- 9.7%
- Certificate
- 7.5%
Skills
Skills employers ask for
Technical skills appearing most often in job postings for this occupation.
How the work gets done
Core competencies
Broad capabilities associated with strong performance in this occupation.
- Reading Comprehension
- Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
- 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.
- Critical Thinking
- Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
- 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.
- Complex Problem Solving
- Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
- Troubleshooting
- Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
- 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.
- Programming
- Writing computer programs for various purposes.
- Speaking
- Talking to others to convey information effectively.
- Operations Monitoring
- Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
- Quality Control Analysis
- Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
- Writing
- Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
- Active Learning
- Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
- Time Management
- Managing one's own time and the time of others.
- Operations Analysis
- Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
- Operation and Control
- Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
- Equipment Maintenance
- Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
- Mathematics
- Using mathematics to solve problems.
In the market
Job titles and employers
Recent job postings in United StatesCommon job titles
- 01Systems Administrators13,102 postings
- 02Network Administrators3,707 postings
- 03Linux System Administrators1,746 postings
- 04Service Technicians1,419 postings
- 05IT Systems Administrators1,198 postings
- 06Windows Administrators964 postings
- 07Linux Administrators892 postings
- 08IT Administrators801 postings
- 09Systems Specialists766 postings
- 10Sales Specialists - Proservices726 postings
- 11Linux Systems Engineers604 postings
- 12Linux Windows Systems Administrators599 postings
- 13Customer Service Specialists552 postings
- 14Network and Computer Systems Administrators549 postings
- 15Health System Specialists535 postings
- 16Service Engineers523 postings
- 17Quality Systems Specialists518 postings
- 18Administrators507 postings
- 19Network Systems Administrators494 postings
- 20Linux Engineers480 postings
Top employers
- 01Accenture1,447 postings
- 02Robert Half1,071 postings
- 03Lockheed Martin905 postings
- 04Penske799 postings
- 05Lowe's778 postings
- 06TEKsystems727 postings
- 07GovCIO684 postings
- 08Amazon654 postings
- 09Insight Global636 postings
- 10General Dynamics617 postings
- 11Leidos616 postings
- 12XPO Logistics444 postings
- 13RTX435 postings
- 14HD Supply422 postings
- 15Cayuse Holdings384 postings
- 16Securitas362 postings
- 17Northrop Grumman353 postings
- 18Maximus348 postings
- 19Peraton339 postings
- 20Logistic Dynamics320 postings
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