Network Administrator Salary: Average Salary of a Network Administrator

Published Aug 28, 2009

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Businesses, schools and other organizations that utilize computer networks need network administrators to maintain their systems. Network administrators are well-paid and will see increased demand for their skills in the coming years, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). A bachelor's degree is helpful, but not always necessary, to become a network administrator.

Network Administrator Career Summary

Network administrators install and maintain computer networks in businesses, schools, hospitals, government buildings and more. They can be responsible for Internet connectivity, network security and network efficiency. A network administrator may be hired by a single organization or work for a technology firm serving a number of clients.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov) reports that employers tend to seek applicants with bachelor's degrees, even if the degree is not in a technology field. Depending on the employer, an associate degree, technical certification and previous experience may substitute for a bachelor's.

Network Administrator Career Outlook and Salary Information

As more organizations are making use of computer networks and new technology is being introduced, the need for network administrators is increasing. This is especially true for businesses looking to engage in Internet commerce or protect their systems from cyber attacks. According to the BLS, employment of network administrators will grow much faster than average over the next several years, increasing by 23% from 2008 to 2018. In May 2008, the median annual wage for network and computer systems administrators was $66,310. The largest employer of network administrators is the computer systems design industry.

With experience, a network administrator can be promoted to a senior position. Senior network administrators have more direct responsibility for the network, and may advise management on security or hardware implementation decisions. People with experience in network administration can also go on to design computer system software as software engineers.

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