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.
Network and Computer Systems Administrators
SOC: 15-1244 O*NET: 15-1244.00
Median Salary
$96,800
per year
Job Growth
📉 -4.2%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
14.3
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Job Zone 4
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.
What does a Network and Computer Systems Administrators do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$60,320
10th percentile
Early Career
$75,860
25th percentile
Median
$96,800
50th percentile
Experienced
$123,390
75th percentile
Top Earners
$150,320
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$60,320
25th
$75,860
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$96,800
Mean: $101,190
75th
$123,390
90th
$150,320
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $90,000 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $75,860 and $123,390
- •Salary spread is 49.1% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 318,570 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:331,500
Top Industries
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services27.5%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services27.5%
Computer Systems Design and Related Services17.7%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-4.2%
Annual Openings:14,300
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)331,500
Current
2034 (Projected)317,700
-4.2%
-13,800
Employment Change
-4.2%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Decline
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Network and Computer Systems Administrators professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
Texas
34,640 jobs$94,1701.21x
California
28,730 jobs$106,6200.77x
Florida
22,280 jobs$92,9801.10x
New York
19,770 jobs$104,0501.00x
Ohio
15,950 jobs$93,2201.40x
Virginia
13,830 jobs$106,6101.65x
North Carolina
13,080 jobs$97,5901.29x
Illinois
10,830 jobs$96,6400.86x
New Jersey
10,300 jobs$104,8501.17x
Georgia
9,310 jobs$94,1000.93x
Washington
8,930 jobs$103,9901.22x
Colorado
8,900 jobs$103,6001.49x
Maryland
8,760 jobs$112,0801.54x
Pennsylvania
8,580 jobs$86,1700.69x
Wisconsin
7,960 jobs$82,7801.32x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Employment decline projected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Judgment and Decision Making
100%
#2
Reading Comprehension
94%
#3
Critical Thinking
86%
#4
Systems Analysis
80%
#5
Active Listening
74%
#6
Troubleshooting
66%
#7
Systems Evaluation
60%
#8
Complex Problem Solving
54%
#9
Monitoring
46%
#10
Programming
40%
Skills Overview
Judgment and Decision Making
advanced5.0
100%
Reading Comprehension
advanced4.7
94%
Critical Thinking
intermediate4.3
86%
Systems Analysis
intermediate4.0
80%
Active Listening
intermediate3.7
74%
Troubleshooting
intermediate3.3
66%
Systems Evaluation
intermediate3.0
60%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Judgment and Decision Making
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Reading Comprehension
advancedImportance94%
abilities
4.7/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0
Systems Analysis
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Troubleshooting
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Systems Evaluation
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance54%
abilities
2.7/5.0
Monitoring
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Programming
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Web Administrators67%
5 shared skills
Computer and Information Research Scientists67%
5 shared skills
Computer Network Support Specialists67%
5 shared skills
Database Architects67%
5 shared skills
Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors67%
5 shared skills
Foresters67%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Learn on the Job:
- →Troubleshooting
- →Systems Evaluation
- →Complex Problem Solving
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Systems Analysis
- ✓Judgment and Decision Making
- ✓Reading Comprehension
- ✓Critical Thinking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Systems Analysis
- ★Judgment and Decision Making
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Active Listening
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Network and Computer Systems Administrators
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
SAS
🔥 Hot TechDocker
🔥 Hot TechGitHub
🔥 Hot TechRed Hat OpenShift
🔥 Hot TechApache Spark
🔥 Hot TechTableau
🔥 Hot TechAmazon Web Services AWS CloudFormation
🔥 Hot TechSplunk Enterprise
🔥 Hot TechChef
🔥 Hot TechPuppet
🔥 Hot TechAtlassian JIRA
🔥 Hot TechAmazon DynamoDB
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
SAS
Docker
GitHub
Red Hat OpenShift
Apache Spark
Tableau
Amazon Web Services AWS CloudFormation
Splunk Enterprise
Chef
Puppet
Atlassian JIRA
Amazon DynamoDB
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
20
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Operations & Execution (2)Documentation & Record-Keeping (5)Planning & Development (2)Communication & Coordination (2)General Responsibilities (6)Training & Development (1)Analysis & Evaluation (2)
1
Perform data backups and disaster recovery operations.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution100% perform100%
2
Maintain and administer computer networks and related computing environments, including computer hardware, systems software, applications software, and all configurations.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping97% perform98%
3
Plan, coordinate, and implement network security measures to protect data, software, and hardware.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development94% perform96%
4
Operate master consoles to monitor the performance of computer systems and networks and to coordinate computer network access and use.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Communication & Coordination91% perform94%
5
Perform routine network startup and shutdown procedures, and maintain control records.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping88% perform92%
6
Design, configure, and test computer hardware, networking software and operating system software.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development85% perform90%
7
Recommend changes to improve systems and network configurations, and determine hardware or software requirements related to such changes.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Confer with network users about solutions to existing system problems.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Monitor network performance to determine whether adjustments are needed and where changes will be needed in the future.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Operations & Execution76% perform84%
10
Train people in computer system use.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Training & Development73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on operations & execution activities
- •35% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Network and Computer Systems Administrators
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Network and Computer Systems Administrators professionals typically have a CRI Holland code and highly value working conditions
CConventional
RRealistic
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Network and Computer Systems Administrators
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.54
Analytical Thinking
CriticalAnalytical Thinking
Importance Level4.50
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.45
Integrity
Very ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level4.44
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.30
Independence
Very ImportantIndependence
Importance Level4.21
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.5
Analytical Thinking
4.5
Dependability
4.5
Integrity
4.4
Cooperation
4.3
Independence
4.2
Initiative
4.2
Stress Tolerance
4.2
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.1
Persistence
4.1
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Typical duration: 4 years
Preparation Level
Job Zone 4
Considerable Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Bachelor's degree or higher
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Training:
Significant preparation with related work experience
💼 Experience Requirement
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Bachelor's degree in related field
- • Several years of work experience
- • Professional certifications often required
4
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Bachelor's degree in related fieldSeveral years of work experienceProfessional certifications often required
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