How to hire a backup administrator

How to hire a backup administrator, step by step

Here's a step-by-step backup administrator hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a backup administrator job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new backup administrator
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a backup administrator do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the backup administrator you need to hire. Certain backup administrator roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect backup administrator also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   The following list breaks down different types of backup administrators and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Backup Administrator	Description	Hourly rate
   Backup Administrator	Computer networks are critical parts of almost every organization. Network and computer systems administrators are responsible for the day-to-day operation of these networks.	$29-66
   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.	$28-50
   Unix Systems Administrator	UNIX system administrators install, configure, and maintain the UNIX systems of organizations. The administrators are in charge of the troubleshooting of server errors... Show more	$30-57

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Linux
   • SAN
   • Unix
   • Disk
   • Windows Server
   • Disaster Recovery
   • VMware
   • SQL
   • Switches
   • Storage Arrays
   • TSM
   • NetApp
   • Backup Recovery
   • Tape Libraries

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Monitor and manage Cisco routers and switches management.
   • Create several Unix bash scripts to automate the environment.
   • Manage all network infrastructure including firewall, routers, switches, network storage, wireless AP s and CAT5e management.
   • Manage the preventative maintenance of all critical infrastructure which includes HVAC, generator, security system, and fire suppression.
   • Manage SnapMirror relationships, troubleshooting replication job failures, SnapVault and other archive solutions.
   • Ensure AIX data integrity by evaluating, implementing and managing appropriate software and hardware solutions.

   More backup administrator duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your backup administrator job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A backup administrator can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, backup administrators' average salary in alaska is 47% less than in pennsylvania.
   • Seniority. Entry-level backup administrators 56% less than senior-level backup administrators.
   • Certifications. A backup administrator with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a backup administrator's salary.

   Average backup administrator salary

   $92,866yearly

   $44.65 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level backup administrator salary

   $61,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 15, 2025

   Average backup administrator salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Pennsylvania	$119,230	$57
   2	California	$117,189	$56
   3	District of Columbia	$108,815	$52
   4	Virginia	$101,524	$49
   5	New York	$100,222	$48
   6	Maryland	$97,094	$47
   7	Ohio	$92,040	$44
   8	Florida	$90,442	$43
   9	Kentucky	$87,901	$42
   10	Tennessee	$87,207	$42
   11	Arizona	$86,859	$42
   12	Indiana	$85,168	$41
   13	Texas	$84,532	$41
   14	Wisconsin	$78,766	$38
   15	Colorado	$73,257	$35
   16	Utah	$72,459	$35

   Average backup administrator salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Cedars-Sinai	$178,323	$85.73	12
   2	Washington Hospital Healthcare System	$146,423	$70.40
   3	FMC	$130,133	$62.56
   4	Unisys	$125,213	$60.20	2
   5	Albertsons	$122,277	$58.79	4
   6	Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center	$120,150	$57.76
   7	CDO Technologies	$111,447	$53.58	2
   8	Jea	$110,605	$53.18
   9	Analysts	$106,827	$51.36
   10	Information International Associates	$105,350	$50.65
   11	OneNeck IT Solutions	$104,128	$50.06
   12	NuAxis Innovations	$102,731	$49.39
   13	intiGrow	$101,753	$48.92
   14	Vology	$100,793	$48.46
   15	Koniag	$95,876	$46.09
   16	Textron	$95,688	$46.00	4
   17	Comprobase	$87,380	$42.01
   18	America First Credit Union	$86,751	$41.71
   19	JNIT	$86,542	$41.61
   20	Randstad North America, Inc.	$85,354	$41.04	10

4. Writing a backup administrator job description

   A job description for a backup administrator role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a backup administrator job description:

   Backup administrator job description example

   CoSolutions, Inc. is looking to hire a GSP Storage and Backup Administration SME for an upcoming opportunity in Fairborn, OH.
   **Position is contingent upon contract award** Job Overview : Candidate will provide Level II and Level III Storage and Backup Administration support for GSP systems on NIPRnet, Secret, and Top Secret networks as well as Classified and Unclassified Cloud environments. Candidate will utilize government provide documentation and ticketing systems such as Atlassian Jira, Atlassian Jira Service Desk, Atlassian Confluence, ServiceNow and Microsoft Service Manger and provide maintenance, administration, update, configuration, integration, and documentation of GSP's enterprise storage area network. Enterprise includes equipment, systems and software Brocade, Hitachi, Dell, Oracle (Sun), Quantum, Quantum StorNext, AMS, NetBackup, Device Manager, Pure Storage, Penguin Computing FrostByte• Increase in storage to be supported due to specific mission area is approximately 150 terabytes of disk storage and 6-8 PB of tape storage per year. Storage enterprise includes 15+PB of spinning disk and 45+ PB of used tape storage across 2 networks (Tungsten & Zinc) and Classified/Unclassified cloud storage environments Responsibilities : • Provide functional utilization reports as requested
   • Provide network integration services
   • Perform configuration/administration of SAN devices and resources
   • Update the microcode/firmware on SAN devices using Device Manager, and High Command application tools• Perform installation, configuration and maintenance of the Brocade SAN switches including the DCX, VDX, and ICX series
   • Storage enterprise includes
   • Perform installation, configuration, and maintenance of all Brocade SAN switches of the DCX, VDX, and ICX series including the 8500, 6500, 48K, 4100, 3900 series
   • Perform SAN/Enterprise Disk Administration Performing installation, configuration and maintenance of all Hitachi HNAS, HUS, VSP, and AMS storage systems
   • Perform all installation, configuration, and maintenance of all Hitachi Data Storage Network Attached Storage systems
   • Perform all installation, configuration and maintenance of all Hitachi storage including Hitachi Unified Storage (HUS), Virtual Storage Pool (VSP), Hitachi Network Attached Storage (HNAS), and Adaptable Modular Storage (AMS) systems
   • Perform installation, configuration, and maintenance of all Dell Compellent SC8000 and SC200 series
   • Provide all installation, configuration, and maintenance of all enterprise tape backup storage system including the following libraries: Quantum Scalar AEL 6000, i6000, i2000, and i500
   • Install and update licenses to add storage and domains to current and new Hitachi storage systems
   • Install/configure/administer Symantec Netbackup backups/restores
   • Perform enterprise backups and Tier III data file restores, configuration, and troubleshooting
   • Provide corrective and preventative maintenance on all tape libraries and storage sub-systems
   • Perform all configuration and administration of Quantum enterprise tape backup storage and recovery system, including Quantum libraries Scalar series
   • Perform regular data restoration tests of various pieces of data from different backups to ensure integrity of the backup
   • Provide weekly functional area reports summarizing work accomplished, work planned in next week and important issues occurring during the week
   • Maintain architectural diagrams and shall document all installations/changes in accordance with NASIC guidance
   • Maintain list of equipment associated with this functional area• Provide weekly performance, utilization and capacity reports
   Qualifications: 10 years of progressive systems administration with a focus on network storage services Education: Bachelors degree in related technical field of study (4 additional years of relevant experience may be traded off in lieu of degree) Certification: Active DoDD8570 IAT Level II certification, relevant OS certification, and training in relevant storage technologies Required Clearance: Active DoD Top Secret/SCI Physical Abilities: Ability to lift and move servers, workstations, and other peripheral equipment estimated to weigh 30 - 50 lbs.
   CoSolutions is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find backup administrators for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any backup administrators they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level backup administrators with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your backup administrator job on Zippia to find and attract quality backup administrator candidates.
   • Use niche websites such as dice, engineering.com, stack overflow, it job pro.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting backup administrators requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

   If your interviews with backup administrator applicants aren't enough to make a decision, you should also consider including a test project. These are often the best, most straightforward, and least bias-prone ways of determining who will likely succeed in the role. If you don't know how to design an appropriate test, you can ask someone else on the team to create it or take a look at these websites to get a few ideas:

   • TestDome
   • CodeSignal
   • Testlify
   • BarRaiser
   • Coderbyte

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new backup administrator

   Once you've found the backup administrator candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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