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Systems administrators typically wear many hats. Yes, they oversee the computer systems of an organization, but they also hold many other responsibilities, from designing the systems they manage to choosing the hardware for those systems to operate on.

Monitoring security and issuing systems permissions and user accounts also falls within their purview. And when something goes wrong, they are there to help.

Also known as sysadmins, these professionals must know the ins and outs of . Because computer systems are built on top of an operating system, almost every aspect of the job requires in-depth knowledge of such systems.

When troubleshooting a problem, the systems administrator needs to know how the operating system interacts with the hardware, software and firmware. When a co-worker is having a problem with their machine, the IT technician usually starts by accessing some functions of the operating system. Some organizations use multiple operating systems, which is why these IT professionals need to know more than one.

To manage system settings, like user permissions, application installations and security protocols, the IT admin must know how these functions work with the operating system (OS). They also need to know how to install and upgrade software, which means understanding the compatibility requirements and package management system of the OS.

The titles of systems administrator and network administrator are sometimes used interchangeably, but they aren’t the same. That said, when an organization doesn’t have a dedicated network administrator, those duties often fall to the systems administrator.

The responsibilities of a systems admin who also runs the network may include:

• Installing equipment
• Configuring network-enabled devices
• Researching and selecting network hardware
• Monitoring for anomalies
• Troubleshooting problems
• Setting up firewalls

One of their primary duties is security. Because much of an organization’s data — financial, personal, proprietary, etc. — is stored on the network, that network can be a target for hackers and other bad actors.

goes beyond just setting up a firewall, though. A systems admin must also install anti-malware software, establish email and cloud security protocols, and monitor behavioral analytics, which trigger a warning when anomalies occur. Those are just a few of the security tasks this tech expert is responsible for.  

As noted, a lot of this IT specialist’s job is technical support, so problem-solving and analytical skills cannot be overlooked. When a co-worker submits a ticket about a computer problem, IT must be able to quickly suss out the issue and implement a solution. At times, the standard solutions don’t work, so creative analytical skills can help them think of secure and stable workarounds.

They solve the problem, and they must solve it quickly. The adage “time is money” is true, and business doesn’t stop because of laptops with connection problems.

Even with a computer science degree, some people begin their career in an entry-level position. These entry-level positions may include:

• An information technology manager (IT manager) typically manages an organization’s IT systems — everything from employee hardware and software to databases and networks.
• An information systems security manager typically ensures the safety of an organization’s computer networks and systems. This might include management and data retrieval.
• Network administrators “install, configure, and maintain organizations’ local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), data communication networks, operating systems, and servers,” according to the (BLS).
• Junior systems administrators perform many of the duties of a senior sysadmin but without some of the responsibility. They often take escalated tech-support calls.

While some systems admins get started in their careers with an associate degree or a postsecondary certificate, they may have a hard time moving past entry-level positions. There are employers who may require their new admins to have a more advanced IT degree. To gain higher-level cutting-edge skills, these IT pros may want to consider earning a master’s degree or an advanced certificate. These educational options can prepare you with even more skills for your current, and future, roles.

As the IT field is ever-evolving, technology professionals must embrace lifelong learning, and may take classes and earn certificates to keep up with the changes in hardware, software, web browsers and operating systems.

Aspiring IT managers who have up-to-date hard skills also need soft skills. Managing a team requires communication skills like active listening and conflict resolution. They may need to develop other soft skills as well, like empathy and confidence.

Some of these skills come from on-the-job experience, but others require study. Luckily, there are plenty of options online to learn these skills and even earn certificates to prove to potential employers that you have what it takes to lead a team.

As you build these skills, consider joining professional organizations. These organizations are great for networking and learning about upcoming changes to the field. Attending networking events may also help you find positions with more responsibility and better compensation.  

As of May 2023, systems administrators earned between $58,680 and $148,710, with a median wage of $95,360, according to .

The career outlook for systems admins includes a between 2023 and 2033. However, more than 16,000 new jobs are projected to be available annually during that time frame, according to BLS.

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BLS Occupational Employment Projections, 2023-2033 is published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This data reflects BLS’ projections of national (not local) conditions. These data points are not specific to ��������ʿ�����¼ students or graduates.

IT professionals can work anywhere and everywhere with a multifaceted computer system. 

According to , these are the fields most likely to employ systems administrators:

• Computer systems design and related services: 16%
• Educational services (state, local, private): 11%
• Finance and insurance: 10%
• Information: 8%
• Management of companies and enterprises: 7%

Other employers include those in the manufacturing, healthcare and government sectors.

Working in an office is common, though remote work has become more prevalent. Either way, systems specialists may have to be on call outside of normal operating hours to manage emergencies such as system outages. 

As mentioned, technology changes constantly, so these IT specialists must keep up.

On-premises systems are moving to cloud-based systems. This can potentially minimize cost for an organization in a number of ways, including removing the need for a brick-and-mortar facility to house servers and the electricity to run them. Systems admins may now need to manage hybrid environments, a mix of the two, which requires further knowledge.

As artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning proliferate, systems admins also need to learn how these systems work and what they can do. Though some of the tasks now given to AI — predicting problems and detecting anomalies, for example — used to belong to humans, this doesn’t mean that the involvement of people is no longer necessary. To ensure systems function as they should, there should always be a “human in the loop” (HITL).

These are just two of the most prevalent examples. Other tech advances that are having an impact include:

• Automation tools
• Edge computing
• Containerization
• Zero trust architecture (ZTA)