Salary and Outlook

According to the US Department of Labor, there are 350,300 people employed as network and computer systems administrators in the United States. The median annual salary is $84,800. Entry level employees earn approximately $52,830 per year and senior employees earn approximately $134,970 per year.

Estimates do not include other potential benefits such as health insurance, overtime pay, or retirement benefits that may be offered by employers.

Job Duties

• 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.
• Monitor network performance to determine whether adjustments need to be made, and to determine where changes will need to be made in the future.
• Plan, coordinate, and implement network security measures to protect data, software, and hardware.
• Analyze equipment performance records to determine the need for repair or replacement.
• Confer with network users about how to solve existing system problems.
• Recommend changes to improve systems and network configurations, and determine hardware or software requirements related to such changes.
• Design, configure, and test computer hardware, networking software and operating system software.
• 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 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.
• 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.
• Implement and provide technical support for voice services and equipment, such as private branch exchange, voice mail system, and telecom system.
• Maintain an inventory of parts for emergency repairs.
• Research new technologies by attending seminars, reading trade articles, or taking classes, and implement or recommend the implementation of new technologies.

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