What does a Network Administrator do?
Network administrators are responsible for the implementation, management, and troubleshooting of a company's networks that rely on hardware and software. They will analyze the company’s needs and install and maintain the necessary hardware and software and solve any problems or technical issues that may arise along the way.
Network administrators install and support the company’s network and computer systems, which includes oversight of the communications systems to ensure that information flows properly within an organization. They continually monitor data to ensure the system is optimized, and they look for problems or issues that could either be caused by the network or potentially by another user. They ensure that new users are properly trained on network usage, and they train fellow employees on how to properly upload and download material that has the potential to impact the integrity of the network. They are also responsible for the maintenance and repair of personal computer local area networks, wide area networks security, and internet systems. Network administrators need a minimum of a certificate or an associate’s degree in a computer-related discipline. Employers often require a bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology, or related fields.
- Provide specific detailed information for hardware and software selection.
- Provide daily operational support for LAN/WAN networks, including firewalls.
- Manage help desk system for open issues, and customer communications.
- Assist in the build of new networks to design specifications.
- Work cross-functionally to ensure that all trouble tickets are promptly and effectively resolved.
- Provide daily/weekly schedules to crews showing what projects are due, prioritize projects by those that are the most important or due first, scheduling them to be completed in order of priority.
- Manage tasks and projects within the scope of assigned responsibilities.
- Create and maintain a change log for each network documentation piece.
- Plan large-scale systems projects through vendor comparison and cost studies.
- Optimize system operations and resource utilization, and perform system capacity analysis and planning.
- Evaluate hardware and software, including peripheral, output, and related equipment.
- Provide input to policy level discussions regarding standards and budget constraints.
- Develop methods and techniques based on strategic project objectives.
- Troubleshoot network systems when necessary and make improvements to the network.
- Contribute to designing professional development for the operations teams.
- Manage the daily activities of configuration and operation of IT systems.
- Bachelor's or Graduate's Degree in computer science, engineering, information systems or information technology, or equivalent experience.
- Experience with VPN, Cloud, DCHP, OSPF, SSL, IPSEC, WLAN, MCP, UNIX, and CCNP software and systems.
- Experience with writing and routing protocols.
- Demonstrated capabilities during network troubleshooting including scripting and debugging.
- Demonstrated experience with computing and operating systems.
- Is a critical thinker and collaborator.
- Identify, troubleshoot, and resolve a wide range of technical network-related problems including LAN/WAN, TCP/IP, IP Address, SMTP, DNS, DHCP, Firewall, VPN, etc.
How much does a Network Administrator make near United States?
Base Pay
Additional Pay
$81,839
/ yrNetwork Administrator Career Path
Learn how to become a Network Administrator, what skills and education you need to succeed, and what level of pay to expect at each step on your career path.
Years of Experience Distribution
Network Administrator Insights
Lake City Bank“Coworkers are great to work with and if I left it would not be because of them.”
“In 3 years I liked it very much here it is a very good organization.”
MBit Computraining“Slow career growth and bench policy is not good”
NacSpace“You're either one of their favorites or you don't exist and I'm not sure which is better.”
International Polymer Engineering“My Best reason to work with IPE is to have better opportunity and find the people to work with.”
NIIT“however all things are good but career growth is slow”
Tech Mahindra“Good good good good good”
GTL Limited“Good good good good good”
Frequently asked questions about the roles and responsibilities of a Network Administrator
When working as a Network Administrator, the most common skills you will need to perform your job and for career success are Modems, Antennas, LAN WAN, Routing Protocols, and Configuration.
- Network Security Engineer
- Systems Engineer
- Systems Administrator
- Network Engineer
The most common qualifications to become a Network Administrator include a minimum of a Bachelor's Degree and an average of 0 - 1 years of experience not including years spent in education and/or training.