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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.
Other titles employers use
Information Analyst · Information Technology Specialist (IT Specialist) · LAN Specialist (Local Area Network Specialist) · Local Area Network Administrator (LAN Administrator) · Network Administrator · Network Coordinator · Network Manager · Systems Administrator (Systems Admin)
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- 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.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to organizing, practical and analytical work.
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
- Analytical
- Investigating questions, testing ideas, and solving problems
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Systems Analysis
- Active Listening
- Monitoring
Subjects to know
- Computers and Electronics
- English Language
- Customer and Personal Service
- Engineering and Technology
- Telecommunications
Useful strengths
- Problem Sensitivity
- Written Comprehension
- Information Ordering
- Oral Expression
- Deductive Reasoning
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 3.1 | Shared rooms, but not shoulder to shoulder |
| On your feet | 2.0 | Mostly seated |
| Talking face to face | 4.5 | Continuous — the job is conversations |
| Working with your hands | 2.4 | Little of the day |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a bachelor's degree. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- A four-year degree 53%
- A two-year degree 20%
- A certificate or some college 17%
- A master's degree 10%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Development environment software
- Web platform development software
- Data base management system software
- Operating system software
- Data base user interface and query software
- Object or component oriented development software
- Project management software
- Application server software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 34,420
- Job openings each year
- 2,290
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 18.6%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 34,420 | 2,290 | 18.6% |
| California | 30,800 | 1,800 | 4.4% |
| New York | 28,270 | 280 | 10.8% |
| Florida | 24,120 | 1,510 | 11.3% |
| Virginia | 16,280 | 920 | 1.9% |
| Colorado | 13,330 | 850 | 13.2% |
| Washington | 12,720 | 1,000 | 15.8% |
| Illinois | 11,540 | 630 | — |
| Pennsylvania | 11,000 | 630 | 2.6% |
| North Carolina | 10,620 | 650 | 8.6% |
| New Jersey | 10,040 | 550 | −1.3% |
| Maryland | 9,950 | 610 | 9.0% |
| Wisconsin | 8,980 | 530 | 4.9% |
| Georgia | 7,940 | 480 | 8.0% |
| Missouri | 7,290 | 430 | 4.6% |
| Michigan | 7,150 | 390 | — |
| Arizona | 6,620 | 420 | 11.8% |
| Oregon | 6,430 | 390 | 8.8% |
| Indiana | 6,250 | 360 | 3.6% |
| Tennessee | 5,500 | 350 | 14.3% |
| Alabama | 5,250 | 290 | 1.4% |
| Minnesota | 4,350 | 250 | 1.9% |
| South Carolina | 4,020 | 260 | 14.9% |
| Kansas | 3,890 | 220 | — |
| Iowa | 3,640 | 210 | 4.0% |
| Utah | 3,590 | 240 | 18.5% |
| Kentucky | 3,530 | 200 | 3.8% |
| Oklahoma | 2,920 | 170 | 1.7% |
| Massachusetts | 2,600 | 150 | 2.0% |
| Nebraska | 2,380 | 140 | 6.7% |
| New Hampshire | 2,300 | 140 | 5.5% |
| South Dakota | 2,060 | 120 | 4.6% |
| Connecticut | 2,030 | 120 | 5.2% |
| Nevada | 1,900 | 120 | 9.2% |
| District of Columbia | 1,720 | 100 | 1.2% |
| Idaho | 1,720 | 110 | 13.2% |
| Mississippi | 1,700 | 100 | 5.6% |
| Arkansas | 1,670 | 100 | 5.7% |
| Louisiana | 1,530 | 90 | 2.7% |
| New Mexico | 1,490 | 90 | 10.4% |
| Rhode Island | 1,440 | 80 | 2.9% |
| West Virginia | 1,310 | 80 | 3.1% |
| Montana | 1,000 | 60 | 7.5% |
| Delaware | 990 | 50 | — |
| Puerto Rico | 990 | 60 | 8.8% |
| Maine | 930 | 50 | −5.1% |
| Alaska | 670 | 40 | 3.1% |
| North Dakota | 660 | 40 | 3.1% |
| Wyoming | 580 | 40 | 5.5% |
| Vermont | 480 | 30 | 2.1% |
| Guam | 80 | 10 | — |
| Virgin Islands | 60 | 0 | — |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
Western Governors University
- Degrees each year
- 2,711
- Admit rate
- Not reported
- Annual cost after aid
- $13,000
Southern New Hampshire University
- Degrees each year
- 956
- Admit rate
- 96%
- Annual cost after aid
- $37,000
University of Maryland Global Campus
- Degrees each year
- 900
- Admit rate
- Not reported
- Annual cost after aid
- —
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
- Degrees each year
- 1,215
- Admit rate
- 18%
- Annual cost after aid
- $5,000
The University of Texas at Dallas
- Degrees each year
- 1,131
- Admit rate
- 65%
- Annual cost after aid
- $14,000
The University of Texas at San Antonio
- Degrees each year
- 714
- Admit rate
- 88%
- Annual cost after aid
- $9,000
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
- Degrees each year
- 1,070
- Admit rate
- 16%
- Annual cost after aid
- $11,000
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus
- Degrees each year
- 734
- Admit rate
- 54%
- Annual cost after aid
- $26,000
Compare every college offering computer/information technology administration and management