4/26/24, 10:52 AM Network and Computer Systems Administrators : Occupational Outlook Handbook: : U.S.

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Network and Computer Systems Administrators PRINTER-FRIENDLY

Summary What They Do Work Environment How to Become One Pay Job Outlook State & Area Data Similar Occupations More Info

Summary

Quick Facts: Network and Computer Systems Administrators

$95,360 per year
2023 Median Pay
$45.84 per hour
Typical Entry-Level Education Bachelor's degree
Work Experience in a Related Occupation None
On-the-job Training None
Number of Jobs, 2022 339,900
Job Outlook, 2022-32 2% (As fast as average)
Employment Change, 2022-32 8,300

What Network and Computer Systems Administrators Do

Network and computer systems administrators install, configure, and maintain organizations’ computer networks and systems.

Work Environment
Network and computer systems administrators work for a variety of organizations, including computer systems design firms, schools, and financial institutions.
Most work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. Administrators may work evenings, nights, and weekends to monitor, maintain, or update
networks and systems.

How to Become a Network and Computer Systems Administrator

To enter the occupation, network and computer systems administrators typically need a bachelor’s degree in a field related to computer or information science.

Pay
The median annual wage for network and computer systems administrators was $95,360 in May 2023.

Job Outlook
Employment of network and computer systems administrators is projected to grow 2 percent from 2022 to 2032, about as fast as the average for all occupations.

About 19,800 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.

State & Area Data

Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for network and computer systems administrators.

Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of network and computer systems administrators with similar occupations.

More Information, Including Links to O*NET

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Learn more about network and computer systems administrators by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and
occupations.
What They Do ->

What Network and Computer Systems Administrators Do

Administrators fix computer server problems.

Network and computer systems administrators install, configure, and maintain organizations’ local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), data
communication networks, operating systems, and servers.

Duties
Network and computer systems administrators typically do the following:

Determine an organization’s network and system needs and install operating and application hardware and software
Provide input on hardware or software for an organization's purchasing decisions
Make needed upgrades and repairs to networks and ensure that systems are operating correctly
Maintain network and computer system security
Evaluate and optimize network and system performance
Add users to a network and assign security permissions
Train users on the organization’s network and systems
Diagnose and resolve problems when alerted by a user or an automated monitoring system
Network and computer systems administrators may oversee both networks and systems, but they often specialize in one or the other. Network administrators
typically focus on setting up and maintaining the infrastructure that connects an organization’s computers. Systems administrators set up and maintain
organizations’ software and enable user access.

Network administrators install, configure, and manage computer infrastructure, such as routers, switches, and cables, that support an organization’s computer
networks. These networks include Local Area Networks (LANs), which connect devices in a single location, and Wide Area Networks (WANs), which connect
multiple LANs or locations. They may help computer network architects design and analyze network models. Some administrators manage telecommunication
networks.

Systems administrators manage an organization’s servers and desktop and mobile equipment and software. They ensure that email and data storage networks
within an organization’s computer system work properly. They install and configure software and system updates and monitor system performance to ensure that
employees’ workstations are efficient.

Some administrators provide technical support to users, such as when computer support specialists are unable to resolve a problem.

<- Summary Work Environment ->

Work Environment

Network and computer systems administrators collaborate with other IT workers.

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Network and computer systems administrators held about 339,900 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of network and computer systems administrators were as
follows:

Computer systems design and related services 17%

Educational services; state, local, and private 11
Finance and insurance 9
Information 9
Management of companies and enterprises 7
Network and computer systems administrators are employed by a variety of organizations and work in a variety of settings. In addition to those shown in the
table, top employers also include manufacturing industries, healthcare providers, and government agencies.

Network and computer systems administrators often collaborate with many types of information technology (IT) workers, such as computer support specialists,
database administrators, computer network architects, and computer and information systems managers.

Work Schedules
Most network and computer systems administrators work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. Administrators may need to work evenings,
nights, or weekends to monitor, maintain, or update networks and systems.
<- What They Do How to Become One ->

How to Become a Network and Computer Systems Administrator

Administrators need analytical skills to ensure that networks and systems perform reliably.

To enter the occupation, network and computer systems administrators typically need a bachelor’s degree in a field related to computer or information science.
Others may require a postsecondary certificate or an associate’s degree.

Education
Some employers require a postsecondary certificate or an associate's degree. However, network and computer systems administrators typically need a bachelor's
degree in computer and information technology or a related field, such as engineering. These programs usually include courses in computer programming,
networking, and systems design.

Network and computer systems administrators need to keep up with developments in the constantly changing field of information technology (IT). They may
continue to take courses throughout their careers and attend IT conferences to keep up with the latest technology.

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

Employers may require their network and computer systems administrators to be certified in the products they use. Certification programs usually are offered
directly from vendors or from vendor-neutral certification providers. Certification validates the knowledge and the use of best practices that are required of
network and computer systems administrators.

Advancement
Network administrators may advance to become computer network architects. They also may advance to managerial jobs in IT departments, such as computer
and information systems managers.

Important Qualities
Analytical skills. Administrators need to evaluate networks and systems to make sure that they perform reliably and to anticipate new requirements as
organizations’ needs change.

Communication skills. Administrators should be able to explain technical concepts and processes to non-IT workers.

Creative skills. Administrators may need to take an innovative approach to make networks or systems work, such as when integrating new products with
existing hardware or software.

Multitasking skills. Administrators may have to work on many tasks at the same time, whether setup, monitoring, or troubleshooting.

Problem-solving skills. Administrators must be able to resolve problems that arise with computer networks and systems.

Technical skills. Administrators need programming skills and the ability to work with a variety of computer hardware and software.

<- Work Environment Pay ->

Pay
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Network and Computer Systems Administrators

Median annual wages, May 2023

Computer occupations $104,420

Network and computer

$95,360
systems administrators

Total, all occupations $48,060

Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics

The median annual wage for network and computer systems administrators was $95,360 in May 2023. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in
an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $58,680, and the highest 10 percent earned more
than $148,710.

In May 2023, the median annual wages for network and computer systems administrators in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

Information $104,070
Management of companies and enterprises 101,510
Finance and insurance 98,970
Computer systems design and related services 97,590
Educational services; state, local, and private 82,680
Most network and computer systems administrators work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. Administrators may need to work evenings,
nights, or weekends to monitor, maintain, or update networks and systems.
<- How to Become One Job Outlook ->

Job Outlook
Network and Computer Systems Administrators
Percent change in employment, projected 2022-32

Computer occupations 14%

Total, all occupations 3%

Network and computer

2%
systems administrators

Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program

Employment of network and computer systems administrators is projected to grow 2 percent from 2022 to 2032, about as fast as the average for all occupations.

About 19,800 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.

Employment
Demand for network and computer systems administrators should continue, along with firms' investment in newer, faster technology and mobile networks. The
continued expansion of cloud computing and the demand for upgraded computer equipment and software will support a need for network and computer systems
administrators to maintain these systems.

Employment projections data for network and computer systems administrators, 2022-32
Network and computer systems administrators

SOC Code:
15-1244

Employment, 2022:
339,900

Projected Employment, 2032:

348,200

Change, 2022-32 (Percent):

2

SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program

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Change, 2022-32 (Numeric):

8,300

Employment By Industry:
Get data

SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program

<- Pay State & Area Data ->

State & Area Data

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These
estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OEWS data maps
for employment and wages by state and area.

Network and computer systems administrators

Projections Central
Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state
projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.org . Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared
among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data
may be retrieved.

CareerOneStop
CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare
occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.

<- Job Outlook Similar Occupations ->

Similar Occupations
This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of network and computer systems administrators.

Computer and Information Systems Managers

Job Duties:
Computer and information systems managers plan, coordinate, and direct computer-related activities in an organization.
Entry-Level Education:
Bachelor's degree
2023 Median Pay:
$169,510

Computer Hardware Engineers

Job Duties:
Computer hardware engineers research, design, develop, and test computer systems and components.
Entry-Level Education:
Bachelor's degree
2023 Median Pay:
$138,080

Computer Network Architects

Job Duties:
Computer network architects design and implement data communication networks, including local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), and
intranets.
Entry-Level Education:
Bachelor's degree
2023 Median Pay:
$129,840

Computer Programmers
Job Duties:
Computer programmers write, modify, and test code and scripts that allow computer software and applications to function properly.
Entry-Level Education:
Bachelor's degree
2023 Median Pay:
$99,700

Computer Support Specialists

Job Duties:
Computer support specialists maintain computer networks and provide technical help to computer users.
Entry-Level Education:
See How to Become One
2023 Median Pay:
$60,810

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Computer Systems Analysts

Job Duties:
Computer systems analysts study an organization’s current computer systems and design ways to improve efficiency.
Entry-Level Education:
Bachelor's degree
2023 Median Pay:
$103,800

Database Administrators and Architects

Job Duties:
Database administrators and architects create or organize systems to store and secure data.
Entry-Level Education:
Bachelor's degree
2023 Median Pay:
$117,450

Electrical and Electronics Engineers

Job Duties:
Electrical engineers design, develop, test, and supervise the manufacture of electrical equipment.
Entry-Level Education:
Bachelor's degree
2023 Median Pay:
$109,010

Information Security Analysts

Job Duties:
Information security analysts plan and carry out security measures to protect an organization’s computer networks and systems.
Entry-Level Education:
Bachelor's degree
2023 Median Pay:
$120,360

Software Developers, Quality Assurance Analysts, and Testers

Job Duties:
Software developers design computer applications or programs. Software quality assurance analysts and testers identify problems with applications or programs
and report defects.
Entry-Level Education:
Bachelor's degree
2023 Median Pay:
$130,160

Web Developers and Digital Designers

Job Duties:
Web developers create and maintain websites. Digital designers develop, create, and test website or interface layout, functions, and navigation for usability.
Entry-Level Education:
Bachelor's degree
2023 Median Pay:
$92,750

<- State & Area Data More Info ->

Contacts for More Information

For more information about computer careers, visit

Association for Computing Machinery

CompTIA

IEEE Computer Society

For information about opportunities for women pursuing information technology careers, visit

National Center for Women & Information Technology

O*NET
Network and Computer Systems Administrators

<- Similar Occupations

SUGGESTED CITATION:

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Network and Computer Systems Administrators,
at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/network-and-computer-systems-administrators.htm (visited April 17, 2024).

Last Modified Date: Wednesday April 17 2024

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4/26/24, 10:52 AM Network and Computer Systems Administrators : Occupational Outlook Handbook: : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Last Modified Date: Wednesday, April 17, 2024

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0001

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