Network and Computer Systems Administrators

At a Glance

Median Salary
$72,202

Local Jobs
285

Entry-Level Education
Certification

Occupation Profile

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.

By The Numbers

Median Annual Earnings

$72,202

Median Annual Earnings are the midpoint earned by 50 percent of workers who are the lowest paid and 50 percent of workers who are the highest paid in a particular occupation

Local Jobs

285

Jobs are any position in which a worker provides labor in exchange for monetary compensation (note: one individual may hold multiple jobs)

Entry-Level Education

Certification

This is the most common education level requested in entry-level job listings.

Daily Tasks

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.
Plan, coordinate, and implement network security measures to protect data, software, and hardware.
Monitor network performance to determine whether adjustments are needed and where changes will be needed in the future.
Analyze equipment performance records to determine the need for repair or replacement.
Design, configure, and test computer hardware, networking software and operating system software.
Recommend changes to improve systems and network configurations, and determine hardware or software requirements related to such changes.
Confer with network users about solutions to existing system problems.
Perform routine network startup and shutdown procedures, and maintain control records.
Load computer tapes and disks, and install software and printer paper or forms.
Train people in computer system use.
Maintain logs related to network functions, as well as maintenance and repair records.
Gather data pertaining to customer needs, and use the information to identify, predict, interpret, and evaluate system and network requirements.
Coordinate with vendors and with company personnel to facilitate purchases.

Occupational Skills

What skills are necessary for Network and Computer Systems Administrators?

Hard Skills

Auditing
Computer Science
Disaster Recovery
Information Systems
Linux
Local Area Networks
Management Information Systems
Network Administration
Operating Systems
System Administration

Soft Skills

Communications
Customer Service
Detail Oriented
Management
Multitasking
Operations
Planning
Problem Solving
Research
Troubleshooting (Problem Solving)

Hard skills are specific, learnable, measurable, often industry- or occupation-specific abilities related to a position.

Soft skills can be self-taught and usually do not necessitate a certain completed level of education. They are essential in many industries and occupations.

Education Programs

Del Mar College