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Career overview · SOC 15-1244

Network and Computer Systems Administrators

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.

Also called: Information Analyst · Information Technology Specialist (IT Specialist) · LAN Specialist (Local Area Network Specialist) · Local Area Network Administrator (LAN Administrator) · Network Administrator · Network Coordinator

Median pay (national)
$96,800
$60,320–$150,320 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
318,570
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
-4.2%
~14,300 openings/yr
Typical entry
Bachelor's degree

What the numbers say

Refit analysis ·Pay for network and computer systems administrators shows a broad range: the top 10% earn $150,320 versus $60,320 at the bottom 10% — 2.5x. The median of $96,800 leaves roughly 55% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change -4.2% from 2024 to 2034 — a projected decline, against +3% across all occupations. Even so, BLS projects about 14,300 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 52 states with released data, District of Columbia pays the most for this role (median $114,140, +18% vs the national median), while Puerto Rico sits lowest at $53,620 — a 113% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, Active Listening as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list. On the tools side, O*NET flags Amazon Web Services AWS software, Ansible software, Bash, Firewall software as in-demand technologies for this role.

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Top skills employers ask for

Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.

  • Reading Comprehension
  • Critical Thinking
  • Active Listening
  • Monitoring
  • Speaking
  • Writing
  • Active Learning
  • Mathematics
  • Learning Strategies
  • Science

What they actually do

Core O*NET tasks for this 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.
  • Monitor network performance to determine whether adjustments are needed and where changes will be needed in the future.
  • Plan, coordinate, and implement network security measures to protect data, software, and hardware.
  • Analyze equipment performance records to determine the need for repair or replacement.
  • Confer with network users about solutions to existing system problems.
  • Recommend changes to improve systems and network configurations, and determine hardware or software requirements related to such changes.

Tools & technology

  • Amazon Web Services AWS software
  • Ansible software
  • Bash
  • Firewall software
  • Linux
  • Microsoft Active Directory
  • Microsoft Azure software
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft PowerShell
  • Microsoft SharePoint
  • Microsoft Windows Server
  • Python
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux
  • ServiceNow

Knowledge areas

  • Computers and Electronics
  • English Language
  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Engineering and Technology
  • Telecommunications
  • Mathematics
  • Administrative
  • Administration and Management