Best Jobs For Former Systems Administrators [2026]
In 2026, the landscape for systems administrators has evolved significantly. Many in this profession are reassessing their career paths amidst rapid technological advancements and shifts in workplace dynamics.
Although the number of graduates pursuing degrees related to systems administration remains steady, the number of individuals entering this role is declining. This trend has raised concerns about the future of the profession and its viability in an increasingly automated world.
With many systems administrators transitioning to new careers, the question arises:
What career paths are they exploring now?
We analyzed the resumes of former systems administrators to uncover which jobs they are gravitating towards after leaving the field. After reviewing thousands of resumes, we narrowed it down to the top 100 job transitions.
Some of these career moves may surprise you, prompting us to highlight a selection of notable options.
Best Jobs For Former SYSTEMS ADMINISTRATORS
While some of these roles may be more appealing than others, they all represent viable options for former systems administrators looking to leverage their skills in new areas.
Explore the full list of these job opportunities below.
Detailed Ranking of the Most Common Jobs of Former SYSTEMS ADMINISTRATORS
| Rank | Job Title | % |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Systems Engineer | 3.96% |
| 2 | Senior System Administrator | 2.72% |
| 3 | Information Technology Manager | 1.87% |
| 4 | Network Administrator | 1.83% |
| 5 | Senior Systems Engineer | 1.78% |
| 6 | Network Engineer | 1.65% |
| 7 | Technical Support Specialist | 1.38% |
| 8 | Information Technology Specialist | 1.12% |
| 9 | Consultant | 1.12% |
| 10 | Network Technician | 1.12% |
Most Common Jobs For Former SYSTEMS ADMINISTRATORS
These roles not only utilize the skills of former systems administrators but also serve as stepping stones to diverse career paths.
How We Determined the Best Jobs of Former SYSTEMS ADMINISTRATORS
Our analysis draws from a database of over 7 million resumes. We identified individuals who previously held the title of systems administrator and examined their subsequent job titles to determine the most common transitions.
This methodology allowed us to create an initial ranked list of job titles.
To identify intriguing job options, we sifted through the ranked list to find positions that:
- Appeared in fewer than 1% of all new job listings
- Were not included in the 100 most common job titles in our database
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
