What does an application administrator do?
Applications administrators are information technology (IT) professionals who manage specific applications or software in a company. They are in charge of installing, updating, and maintaining their assigned application. They also troubleshoot concerns and respond to inquiries from application users. They are expected to be experts on matters related to the application. Applications administrators collect information from users and program prompts. They primarily collect data on program usage and common user concerns. This data will help application administrators identify trends in software usage and recommend solutions for software improvement.
Application administrator responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real application administrator resumes:
- Manage IIS folders and services.
- Implement new back up systems for test and production, write UNIX shell scripts to automate and validate daily backups.
- Manage databases and servers, tune queries, set up jobs, assist software engineers by integrating T-SQL with proprietary applications.
- Manage various consultants providing Salesforce development services.
- Manage and troubleshoot applications/database systems in order to validate work orders.
- Create, manage, update layout/content/database for corporate website using Photoshop and Dreamweaver.
- Administer several IIS web servers in load balance clustered environments.
- Design, create and modify databases, SSIS, SSAS, and SSRS packages to meet business needs.
- Provide technical support and troubleshoot application relate issues.
- Coordinate with data center operations team all relate configuration and maintenance for application servers running Linux OS.
- Upgrade system OS and application versions.
- Maintain backend NAS storage for backup target.
- Configure Nortel and Cisco routers and switches.
- Administer VAX/VMS, Solaris, and HP-UX systems.
- Build custom Drupal websites from the ground up.
Application administrator skills and personality traits
We calculated that 9% of Application Administrators are proficient in Troubleshoot, Linux, and Technical Support. They’re also known for soft skills such as Multitasking skills, Analytical skills, and Communication skills.
We break down the percentage of Application Administrators that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Troubleshoot, 9%
Provide technical support and troubleshoot application related issues.
- Linux, 5%
Coordinated with data center operations team all related configuration and maintenance for application servers running Linux OS.
- Technical Support, 5%
Provided business and technical support to internal and external customers for applications delivered by the Global Operations Center.
- Java, 5%
Used Java Message Service (JMS) for reliable and asynchronous exchange of important information such as loan status report.
- SQL Server, 4%
Reviewed overall state and configuration of various SQL servers and identified needed areas of improvement.
- Application Support, 4%
Administer all aspects of systems administration, troubleshooting, tool installation and application support of Linux/Unix based applications.
Most application administrators use their skills in "troubleshoot," "linux," and "technical support" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential application administrator responsibilities here:
Multitasking skills. One of the key soft skills for an application administrator to have is multitasking skills. You can see how this relates to what application administrators do because "administrators may have to work on many problems and tasks at the same time." Additionally, an application administrator resume shows how application administrators use multitasking skills: "organized work flow while multitasking, critical thinking and solved technical issues troubleshooted and resolved network connectivity issues. "
Analytical skills. Many application administrator duties rely on analytical skills. "administrators need to evaluate networks and systems to make sure that they perform reliably and to anticipate new requirements as customers’ needs change.," so an application administrator will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways application administrator responsibilities rely on analytical skills: "assisted with the implementation and validation of data flow manager (clinical analytics / visualization saas platform). "
Communication skills. This is an important skill for application administrators to perform their duties. For an example of how application administrator responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "administrators must describe problems and their solutions to non-it workers." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of an application administrator: "lead qa reporting efforts including interdepartmental stakeholder communications, test planning, bug tracking, and issues prioritization. ".
Problem-solving skills. For certain application administrator responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "problem-solving skills." The day-to-day duties of an application administrator rely on this skill, as "administrators must quickly resolve problems that arise with computer networks." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what application administrators do: "provided third tier end-user application support and solved some remedy tickets as per ticket priority basis. "
The three companies that hire the most application administrators are:
- Deloitte14 application administrators jobs
- Leidos7 application administrators jobs
- SS&C Technologies6 application administrators jobs
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Compare different application administrators
Application administrator vs. Application support specialist
An application support specialist's role is to utilize their technical expertise in responding to inquiries and addressing issues and concerns, resolving them promptly and effectively. They may communicate with clients through calls or correspondence, even arrange appointments when necessary. Moreover, one may work as a member of a company or independently. As an application support specialist in a company setting, it is essential to coordinate with different department personnel, all while adhering to the company's policies and regulations.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, application administrator responsibilities require skills like "powershell," "data integrity," "confluence," and "tomcat." Meanwhile a typical application support specialist has skills in areas such as "customer service," "strong problem-solving," "payroll," and "user acceptance." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Application support specialists earn the highest salaries when working in the finance industry, with an average yearly salary of $98,607. On the other hand, application administrators are paid more in the retail industry with an average salary of $118,974.On average, application support specialists reach lower levels of education than application administrators. Application support specialists are 5.7% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.0% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Application administrator vs. Systems administrator lead
A systems administrator lead is responsible for planning, designing, and implementing procedures for critical enterprise systems. Typical duties of systems administrators include managing the day-to-day operations of a company's computer and network systems, developing new application and system implementation plans, and establishing guidelines for installing and managing the organization's computer operating systems. In addition, you are expected to ensure the security of computer systems by preventing unauthorized use, user abuse, and acts of nature.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, application administrator responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "troubleshoot," "java," "application support," and "powershell." Meanwhile, a systems administrator lead has duties that require skills in areas such as "project management," "system performance," "database," and "dod." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Systems administrator leads may earn a lower salary than application administrators, but systems administrator leads earn the most pay in the telecommunication industry with an average salary of $103,205. On the other hand, application administrators receive higher pay in the retail industry, where they earn an average salary of $118,974.In general, systems administrator leads achieve similar levels of education than application administrators. They're 2.4% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for application administrators in the next 3-5 years?
Dr. Richard Huff Ph.D.
Assistant professor, assistant chair, Virginia Commonwealth University
As custodians of sensitive data, in many cases, there is a demand for a high level of trustworthiness to be earned by public officials. I would expect agencies will need to set a high bar for ethical standards and communicate them consistently. This will be particularly true for developing and using artificial intelligence (AI). While the future public servant will need a grounding in understanding, interpreting, and using data in meaningful ways, there will continue to be a critical need for ethical sensitivity and reasoning to ensure public policies and programs heed increasing demands for social equity and justice. Technology advancements are unavoidable for the foreseeable future and need to be harnessed and applied appropriately by professional, principled, and ethical public servants.
Application administrator vs. Windows system administrator
A Windows System Administrator maintains the systems and servers of a Windows operating system. They evaluate and modify the system's performance.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from application administrator resumes include skills like "application support," "data integrity," "application issues," and "management system," whereas a windows system administrator is more likely to list skills in "infrastructure," "san," "group policy," and "dhcp. "
Windows system administrators earn the best pay in the finance industry, where they command an average salary of $93,089. Application administrators earn the highest pay from the retail industry, with an average salary of $118,974.Most windows system administrators achieve a similar degree level compared to application administrators. For example, they're 3.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Application administrator vs. Network/server administrator
A Network Administrator ensures an organizations' network is operational and up to date. They solve problems that arise within computer networks, maintaining computer networks, interacting with clients, and consulting with them to determine their system requirements.
Types of application administrator
Updated January 8, 2025
