Systems Administrator Salary
A computer or network systems administrator is a person who is responsible for upgrading and maintaining computer systems or networks, ensuring that all systems are functioning properly, and troubleshooting and correcting any issues that may arise. This tends to involve a large amount of computer programming skills, along with the ability to troubleshoot a number of problems, both expected and unexpected. In addition to software issues, the systems administrator may also be responsible for certain hardware issues.
Being a network or computer systems administrator means working long hours on complex programs, and essentially being on call at all times. Due to the nature of the troubleshooting side of the job, whenever something should happen to go wrong, you will need to be available to fix it. Typically, systems administrators are part of a small team to ensure that someone is available at all times to help fix potential issues.

Many system administrators start their education independently, learning a large amount of computer programming and coding skills without the benefit of a university. For those looking for a professional job as a network or computer systems administrator, a four year degree is typically required. Bachelor's degrees in information systems, computer programming, or computer science is a great way to start. Many further their education by getting a graduate degree in computer science or computer programming.
There are also various certifications you can get, typically in dealing with a particular type of computer system or in a computer language.
Having a solid grasp of business practices will also help to become a systems administrator. This provides you with a great understanding of what your company needs and gives you the ability to effectively communicate certain technical concepts to people who may not understand.
The salary range for a computer or network systems administrator is between $36,000 up to $100,000 annually. The higher salaries tend to go to those working in larger companies or corporations, while the lower end typically represents smaller businesses. The more education and professional certifications you have, the higher a salary you can expect. The average systems administrator salary is around $68,000 a year.
Being a computer or network systems administrator may be a stressful job, but it does provide a certain amount of job security. Those who have become familiar with a particular companies computer networks or standard practices will be much more valuable to the company.
