Summary
Administrators maintain network LANs, WANs, and intranets.
Computer networks are critical parts of almost every organization. Network and computer systems administrators are responsible for the day-to-day operation of these networks.
Network and computer systems administrators work with the physical computer networks of a variety of organizations and therefore are employed in many industries.
Although some employers require a postsecondary certificate, most require a bachelor’s degree in a field related to computer or information science.
The median annual wage for network and computer systems administrators was $72, 560 in May 2012.
Employment of network and computer systems administrators is projected to grow 12 percent from 2012 to 2022, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Growth will be highest at firms that provide cloud computing technology.
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of network and computer systems administrators with similar occupations.
Learn more about network and computer systems administrators by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Administrators fix computer server problems.
Computer networks are critical parts of almost every organization. Network and computer systems administrators are responsible for the day-to-day operation of these networks. They organize, install, and support an organization’s computer systems, including local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), network segments, intranets, and other data communication systems.
Duties
Network and computer systems administrators typically do the following:
- Determine what the organization needs in a network and computer system before it is set up
- Install all network hardware and software and make needed upgrades and repairs
- Maintain network and computer system security and ensure that all systems are operating correctly
- Collect data in order to evaluate the network’s or system’s performance and help make the system work better and faster
- Add users to a network and assign and update security permissions on the network
- Train users on the proper use of hardware and software
- Solve problems when a user or an automated monitoring system informs them that a problem exists
