Occupation · 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.
Median wage
$96,800
$60,320–$150,320
Projected growth
-4.2%
Declining
Annual openings
-1,380
per year
Employed (US)
318,570
Job Zone 4
Typical preparation
Considerable preparation
Stackable credential programs
1,964 mapped
Core skills
Systems AnalysisReading ComprehensionJudgment and Decision MakingCritical ThinkingTroubleshootingSystems EvaluationMonitoringComplex Problem SolvingActive ListeningProgrammingSpeakingOperations MonitoringQuality Control AnalysisWritingTime ManagementOperations AnalysisActive LearningSocial PerceptivenessService OrientationRepairingOperation and ControlMathematicsManagement of Personnel ResourcesEquipment MaintenanceCoordinationInstructingEquipment SelectionTechnology DesignPersuasionManagement of Material ResourcesLearning StrategiesNegotiationInstallationScienceManagement of Financial Resources
Knowledge areas
Computers and ElectronicsEnglish LanguageCustomer and Personal ServiceEngineering and TechnologyTelecommunicationsMathematicsAdministrativeAdministration and ManagementEducation and TrainingDesignCommunications and MediaPublic Safety and SecurityMechanicalProduction and ProcessingPersonnel and Human ResourcesLaw and GovernmentEconomics and AccountingSales and MarketingPsychologyBuilding and ConstructionGeographyPhysicsForeign LanguageTransportationSociology and AnthropologyChemistryMedicine and DentistryPhilosophy and TheologyTherapy and CounselingFood ProductionHistory and ArcheologyBiologyFine Arts
Technology & tools
AJAXAccess management softwareActive directory softwareAdexa eGPS SuiteAdobe AcrobatAdobe ActionScriptAdobe DreamweaverAdvanced business application programming ABAPAmazon DynamoDBAmazon Elastic Compute Cloud EC2Amazon RedshiftAmazon Simple Storage Service S3Amazon Web Services AWS CloudFormationAmazon Web Services AWS softwareAnsible softwareApache AntApache CassandraApache GroovyApache HTTP ServerApache HadoopApache HiveApache KafkaApache MavenApache PigApache SolrApache SparkApache StrutsApache Subversion SVNApache TomcatApple macOSApplication management softwareAtlassian BambooAtlassian ConfluenceAtlassian JIRAAutomated installation softwareBashBerkeley Internet Domain Name BINDBlackbaud The Raiser's EdgeBlackboard softwareBorder Gateway Protocol BGP
Representative tasks
Working with ComputersMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeGetting InformationOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsProcessing InformationRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersDocumenting/Recording InformationAnalyzing Data or InformationThinking CreativelyMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsScheduling Work and ActivitiesDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesControlling Machines and ProcessesTraining and Teaching OthersMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersAssisting and Caring for OthersEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsCoaching and Developing OthersCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentHandling and Moving ObjectsDeveloping and Building TeamsResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentPerforming General Physical ActivitiesPerforming Administrative ActivitiesSelling or Influencing OthersGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentPerforming for or Working Directly with the Public
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Computer hardware and systems software configurations — document and apply under direct supervision in a managed enterprise network environment.Data backup procedures — execute scheduled backup jobs following established protocols on organizational servers and storage systems.Network and system problem symptoms — recognize and escalate to senior administrators in a multi-user corporate computing environment.Email application settings and virus protection software — configure basic parameters under guidance in a standard business IT environment.Master console monitoring dashboards — observe system performance metrics and report anomalies to senior staff during routine operations.Network performance baseline data — collect and log using standard monitoring tools in a supervised enterprise network environment.Network security policies — review and apply predefined access control rules under direction in a production IT environment.Equipment performance logs — retrieve and compile records for senior review to support repair or replacement decisions.Technical documentation and vendor manuals — read and interpret to support assigned configuration and maintenance tasks in a corporate IT setting.Ticketing and incident management systems — use to record, update, and track hardware and software issues in a help-desk-supported environment.
developing
Computer networks and related computing environments — administer and maintain with reduced oversight across hardware, software, and configuration layers in a mid-sized enterprise.Disaster recovery operations — execute and validate restoration procedures following documented recovery plans in a business-critical server environment.Hardware, software, and network faults — diagnose and resolve using structured troubleshooting methodologies and replace defective components in a production network.Email platforms and endpoint virus protection software — configure, monitor, and tune to meet organizational security standards in a corporate messaging environment.Master console tools — operate to coordinate network access, monitor system performance, and respond to alerts across a multi-server enterprise environment.Network performance metrics — analyze trend data to identify bottlenecks and recommend capacity adjustments in a growing organizational network.Network security measures — plan and implement firewall rules, access controls, and patch schedules to protect data and systems in a regulated business environment.Equipment performance records — analyze patterns over time to make informed repair-or-replacement recommendations to IT management.Database management system software — maintain user accounts, permissions, and routine maintenance tasks in support of enterprise applications.Technical findings and status updates — communicate clearly in written reports and verbal briefings to IT peers and non-technical stakeholders in a corporate setting.
proficient
Enterprise network infrastructure and computing environments — autonomously design, administer, and optimize across full hardware, software, and configuration scope in a complex multi-site organization.Backup architectures and disaster recovery plans — author, test, and refine to meet RPO and RTO targets in a business-continuity-focused enterprise environment.Complex, non-routine hardware, software, and network failures — independently diagnose, resolve, and document root causes using advanced troubleshooting in high-availability production systems.Enterprise email platforms and security software suites — architect configurations, evaluate new tools, and enforce compliance with organizational security policies across the full user base.System and network performance consoles — leverage to proactively coordinate access controls, optimize resource utilization, and preempt service degradations across a large enterprise.Network performance analysis — conduct in-depth capacity planning studies and translate findings into actionable infrastructure upgrade recommendations for IT leadership.Comprehensive network security programs — design and implement including intrusion detection, vulnerability management, and incident response procedures in a risk-conscious enterprise environment.Equipment lifecycle data — evaluate systematically to develop evidence-based replacement and investment strategies aligned with organizational operational needs.ERP and enterprise application integrations — assess, configure, and troubleshoot to ensure reliable connectivity between business systems in a complex technology ecosystem.Critical thinking and systems analysis — apply to evaluate emerging technologies and recommend adoption strategies that align with organizational IT architecture goals.
advanced
Enterprise-wide network and systems strategy — define and lead implementation across all infrastructure layers, setting long-term technical direction for a large or multi-site organization.Disaster recovery and business continuity governance — establish organizational standards, oversee testing cadences, and ensure regulatory compliance across all systems and sites.Organizational incident response capability — build and lead, directing senior administrators through complex, high-impact outages and establishing post-incident improvement processes.Information security posture — champion and govern enterprise-wide, integrating network security policy with risk management frameworks and executive-level reporting requirements.IT infrastructure investment decisions — drive by synthesizing equipment performance data, capacity trends, and business objectives into multi-year capital planning recommendations for executive leadership.Network performance and reliability standards — establish organizational benchmarks, oversee continuous monitoring programs, and hold teams accountable for service-level commitments.Systems administration team — mentor, develop, and lead, building technical depth across emerging and developing practitioners in a large enterprise IT department.Vendor and technology partnerships — manage strategically, evaluating enterprise software, hardware, and telecommunications contracts to optimize cost, capability, and organizational alignment.Cross-functional IT governance — collaborate with business unit leaders, security officers, and compliance teams to align network and systems administration practices with enterprise objectives.Organizational knowledge management — institutionalize by overseeing documentation standards, runbooks, and knowledge-sharing practices that sustain operational resilience across the IT function.
Also known as
49 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
AI Security Specialist (Artificial Intelligence Security Specialist)Application Security AdministratorApplication Systems AdministratorComputer Systems Security AdministratorE-Mail System AdministratorEnterprise Systems AdministratorHardware Installation CoordinatorInformation AnalystInformation Systems AdministratorInformation Systems Coordinator (IS Coordinator)Information Systems OperatorInformation Technology Administrator (IT Administrator)Information Technology Specialist (IT Specialist)Information Technology Technical Support Specialist (IT Technical Support Specialist)Installation CoordinatorInternet Systems AdministratorInternetwork Expert (CCIE)IT Systems Admin (Information Technology Systems Administrator)LAN Specialist (Local Area Network Specialist)Local Area Network Administrator (LAN Administrator)Local Area Network Systems Administrator (LAN Systems Administrator)Mainframe Systems AdministratorMIS Manager (Management Information Systems Manager)Network AdministratorNetwork Control AnalystNetwork CoordinatorNetwork ManagerNetwork Professional (CCNP)Network Security AdministratorNetwork Support AdministratorNetwork Support CoordinatorNetwork Support ManagerNetwork Systems AdministratorNetwork Systems CoordinatorNetwork Transport AdministratorNetworking AdministratorProvider Network ManagerSecurity AdministratorServer AdministratorSoftware Manager