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For Educators: Military Resources
For Educators: Military Resources

Network and Computer Systems Administrators

Median Salary
95,360
Job Outlook
-3%

Overview

What are the responsibilities of this role?

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 sectors do they work in?

Private for profit

66%

State and local government

17%

Private not for profit

11%

Federal Government

4%

Self-employed

3%

Did you know this role exists in the Military?

What is the job outlook?

Employment of network and computer systems administrators is projected to decline 3 percent from 2023 to 2033. About 16,400 openings for network and computer systems administrators are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Compensation

What is the typical salary range?

$54,620

10%

$95,360

Median

$110,140

90%

How does location impact how much salary?

Education

What level of education do professionals in this role have?

Education Level

  • Bachelor's degree

    52%

  • Associate's degree

    20%

  • Master's degree

    10%

  • Some college

    9%

  • Post-secondary certificate

    7%

Which college majors best prepare you for this role?

  • Computer and Information Sciences, General
  • Computer and Information Systems Security/Auditing/Information Assurance
  • Network and System Administration/Administrator

Skills and Interest

What knowledge should you bring to the table?

  • Computers and Electronics
  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Engineering and Technology
  • English Language
  • Telecommunications

What personality traits help people thrive in this role?

Conventional

You like structure, staying organized, and working with systems to get things done efficiently.

Realistic

You love hands-on work and solving practical problems — like fixing things and building stuff.

Investigative

You love figuring out how things work and researching subjects that interest you.

RIASEC represents six broad interest areas—Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional—helping individuals identify careers that match their skills and preferences.

Take the RIASEC Test

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Data supplied by Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center of Education Statistics, Defense Manpower Data Center (View our update schedule). Contact any business, college or military service branch to answer additional questions.