CFChooseField
Technology and Mathematics

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.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Network and Computer Systems Administrators
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Median pay

$96,800
Median annual pay for Network and Computer Systems Administrators.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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10-year growth

-4.2%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings

14,300
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment

331,500
Estimated U.S. employment for Network and Computer Systems Administrators in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost

-13,800
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation

Bachelor's degree
Typical education needed to enter Network and Computer Systems Administrators.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Critical Thinking
  2. 2Reading Comprehension
  3. 3Active Listening
  4. 4Monitoring
  5. 5Speaking
  6. 6Active Learning

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Computers and Electronics
  2. 2English Language
  3. 3Customer and Personal Service
  4. 4Engineering and Technology
  5. 5Telecommunications
  6. 6Mathematics

Abilities

  1. 1Problem Sensitivity
  2. 2Information Ordering
  3. 3Written Comprehension
  4. 4Deductive Reasoning
  5. 5Inductive Reasoning
  6. 6Oral Expression

Career interests

  1. 1Conventional
  2. 2Realistic
  3. 3Investigative
  4. 4Enterprising
  5. 5Social
  6. 6Artistic

Work styles

  1. 1Attention to Detail
  2. 2Dependability
  3. 3Cautiousness
  4. 4Integrity
  5. 5Intellectual Curiosity
  6. 6Adaptability

Work activities

  1. 1Working with Computers
  2. 2Making Decisions and Solving Problems
  3. 3Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
  4. 4Getting Information
  5. 5Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
  6. 6Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events

Work context

  1. 1Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
  2. 2E-Mail
  3. 3Telephone Conversations
  4. 4Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
  5. 5Contact With Others
  6. 6Spend Time Sitting

Representative tasks

  • 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.

Software and tools

ServiceNow · in demandAnsible software · in demandAmazon Web Services AWS software · in demandMicrosoft Azure software · in demandPython · in demandStructured query language SQL · in demandMicrosoft Excel · in demandUNIX · in demandMicrosoft Office software · in demandMicrosoft Active Directory · in demandMicrosoft Windows Server · in demandRed Hat Enterprise Linux · in demand

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

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