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IT Administrators
IT Administrators install, configure, and support an organization's local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), and Internet systems or a segment of a network system. Monitor network to ensure network availability to all system users and may perform necessary maintenance to support network availability. May monitor and test Web site performance to ensure Web sites operate correctly and without interruption. May assist in network modeling, analysis, planning, and coordination between network and data communications hardware and software. May supervise computer user support specialists and computer network support specialists. May administer network security measures.
Table of Contents
Job description
Network and Computer Systems Administrators install, configure, and support an organization’s local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), and Internet systems or a segment of a network system. Monitor network to ensure network availability to all system users and may perform necessary maintenance to support network availability. May monitor and test Web site performance to ensure Web sites operate correctly and without interruption. May assist in network modeling, analysis, planning, and coordination between network and data communications hardware and software. May supervise computer user support specialists and computer network support specialists. May administer network security measures.
- 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.
Salary
IT Administrators with little to no experience tend to make between $50990 and $64010 while the more experienced ones can earn over $104970 per year.
| Top 5 paying states | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| MD | $52 | $108,190 |
| DC | $48 | $99,920 |
| NJ | $48 | $99,070 |
| CA | $47 | $97,810 |
| NY | $46 | $94,940 |
One of the easiest ways to increase your salary as a Network and Computer Systems Administrator is to move to a higher paying state like MD. Right now, the highest paying states for IT Administrators are MD, DC, NJ, CA and NY.
However, a higher pay at MD doesn’t guarantee that you will make more because the living expenses at MD might be twice as high than where you are currently at now.
Three other factors that can increase your salary as a Network and Computer Systems Administrator is the degree you hold, the industry you work in, and lastly the company you work for.
Requirements
We asked other IT Administrators what degree they had when they got the job and most of them said they had a Bachelor’s Degree followed by an Associate’s Degree.
Other than that, we also asked them what did they major in and here are the most popular majors that came up.
| Computer and Information Sciences, General |
| Network and System Administration/Administrator |
| Computer and Information Systems Security/Information Assurance |
Pros and Cons
Here are some of the pros and cons of being a Network and Computer Systems Administrator.
| PROS |
|---|
| Suitable for people who likes to solve problems mentally |
| Suitable for people who wants job security and a good working condition |
| This career is perfect for people who love to work indoors. |
| Very high salary (top 25% highest paid careers) |
| CONS |
|---|
| Not suitable for people who likes to work with designs |
| It is hard to get into this career. A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career. |
| Long working hours (More than 40 hours per week) |
What is the job like
70% of IT Administrators said they were satisfied with their job and 46% said they feel like their job is making other people’s lives better.
Is this right for me
You can read more about these career personality types here.
People who are suitable for this job tends to like working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally..
They also like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
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Related career information
IT Administrators job description, IT Administrators salary, IT Administrators information, what is the job of a Network and Computer Systems Administrator like, pros and cons about Network and Computer Systems Administrators, colleges and universities for Network and Computer Systems Administrators, is Network and Computer Systems Administrators the right career for me, careers in Computer IT and Mathematics
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