Network Administrator

Job Desription

A Network Administrator, or Network Systems Administrator, is responsible for overseeing an organization’s computer systems or database networks to ensure proper maintenance and security.

Salary average: 65,500 ~ 93,500 Annually

Occupational Outlook

Projected to grow 2 percent from 2022 to 2032

Links to Learn More About This Career:

Educational Requirements:

Most employers require network administrators beyond entry level to have a bachelor’s degree in network administration, computer science, information systems, systems engineering or a related field. Some may require a master’s degree. Other employers require only an associate degree in a similar discipline. Job descriptions for junior network administrator roles do not always call for a degree.

UK

Address: 410 Administration Dr, Lexington, KY 40506-0032

Website: https://www.uky.edu/

Information on the Major: https://www.engr.uky.edu/research-faculty/departments/computer-science

Stanford University

Address: 450 Jane Stanford Way

Stanford, CA 94305–2004

Website: https://www.stanford.edu/

Information on the Major: https://www.cs.stanford.edu/

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Address: 77 Massachusetts Avenue, 4-205

Cambridge MA 02139

Website: https://ci.mit.edu/

Information on the Major: https://ci.mit.edu/

Soft Skills, Characteristics, and/or Abilities Need For This Career:

Network administrators must have a variety of skills to do their job. They must possess thorough knowledge of various types of servers, telecommunications systems networks, such as local area networks (LANs) and wide area networks (WANs), coding languages, computer systems, operating systems and diagnostic software.

Software Knowledge Needed For This Career:

Technology similar to network failure

Pros and Cons to Choosing This Career

Pros (Positives to this Career)

Associate degree or professional certificate is sometimes sufficient
Job growth is expected to occur significantly in certain fields (35% growth expected in computer systems design and related industries between 2012 and 2022)
Potential to work from home

Cons (Negatives to this Career)

Susceptible to eye strain and carpal tunnel syndrome
Consistent training is necessary to keep up with new technology
Job growth may be affected by foreign outsourcing

Typical Working Conditions For This Career:

Inside/outside
No lifting
Most days for network administrators are probably the typical eight hours, but on days where the network is down or malfunctioning, overtime may be required

Career Researched By: Peter Liang