What does a backup administrator do?
A backup administrator usually works at a company's information technology department, where they are in charge of developing and overseeing backup systems to protect company data. They create and implement backup plans, develop recovery strategies and protocols, set objectives and guidelines, and conduct regular maintenance checks to ensure the systems' efficiency. They also train new members of the workforce and supervise staff, providing them with technical support and guidance. Moreover, a backup administrator encourages team members to reach goals while implementing the company's standards and regulations.
Backup administrator responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real backup administrator resumes:
- 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.
- Work with NetApp, EMC, and IBM storage systems.
- Perform the backup and restore operations on multiple OS including VMWare servers.
- Perform capacity planning: monitor and fine tune NAS hardware and software for high availability.
- Configure and maintain the SAN storage environment to include switches, ensuring connectivity back to the server.
- Diagnose and resolve complex problems involving software, servers, storage arrays, directors, and switches.
- Improve reliability of backup environment by moving backup databases to NetApp storage.
- Support HP-UX and Linux base systems.
- Resolve the issues relate to all aspects of FC SAN.
- Direct experience interfacing CV with VMWare, OVM, and Xen.
Backup administrator skills and personality traits
We calculated that 8% of Backup Administrators are proficient in Linux, SAN, and Unix. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Problem-solving skills.
We break down the percentage of Backup Administrators that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Linux, 8%
Utilized EMC's NetWorker comprised of one Linux NetWorker Data Zone to back up 90+ file system and database systems.
- SAN, 8%
Performed SAN based provisioning and decommissioning tasks across all defined Tiers as part of the global provisioning process.
- Unix, 6%
Plan, schedule and perform proactive maintenance, including hardware/ software upgrades and patch installation on Windows and UNIX platforms.
- Disk, 6%
Conducted backups and restores of various OS/applications in a disk to tape environment ensuring data integrity and business continuity.
- Windows Server, 6%
Managed Active directory (MS Windows server [ ] Responsible of user account management.
- Disaster Recovery, 5%
Developed and implemented disaster recovery plans for each application within network operations safeguarding data integrity and ensuring business continuity.
Most backup administrators use their skills in "linux," "san," and "unix" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential backup administrator responsibilities here:
Analytical skills. The most essential soft skill for a backup administrator to carry out their responsibilities is analytical skills. This skill is important for the role because "administrators need to evaluate networks and systems to make sure that they perform reliably and to anticipate new requirements as customers’ needs change." Additionally, a backup administrator resume shows how their duties depend on analytical skills: "participated in gathering and understanding detailed data management requirements from customers with a specific focus on tsm. "
Communication skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling backup administrator duties is communication skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "administrators must describe problems and their solutions to non-it workers." According to a backup administrator resume, here's how backup administrators can utilize communication skills in their job responsibilities: "perform troubleshooting of ecc and navisphere agent communication/configuration issues to allow for increased management efficiency and reporting accuracy. "
Problem-solving skills. backup administrators are also known for problem-solving skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to backup administrator responsibilities, because "administrators must quickly resolve problems that arise with computer networks." A backup administrator resume example shows how problem-solving skills is used in the workplace: "complete tsm solution build-outs inclusive of base install library configuration, mgmt classes, storage pools, etc. "
The three companies that hire the most backup administrators are:
- Northrop Grumman3 backup administrators jobs
- Cedars-Sinai2 backup administrators jobs
- Cognizant1 backup administrators jobs
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Compare different backup administrators
Backup administrator vs. Senior unix systems administrator
A Windows System Administrator maintains the systems and servers of a Windows operating system. They evaluate and modify the system's performance.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between backup administrators and senior unix systems administrator. For instance, backup administrator responsibilities require skills such as "linux," "san," "unix," and "windows server." Whereas a senior unix systems administrator is skilled in "production servers," "troubleshoot," "windows," and "perl." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Senior unix systems administrators tend to make the most money working in the finance industry, where they earn an average salary of $126,771. In contrast, backup administrators make the biggest average salary, $120,603, in the health care industry.On average, senior unix systems administrators reach similar levels of education than backup administrators. Senior unix systems administrators are 4.8% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.9% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Backup administrator vs. Windows system administrator
A senior system administrator specializes in overseeing the computer system operations in an organization. Their responsibilities primarily revolve around monitoring the performance of all software and hardware, installing servers, configuring systems, and making sure every technical aspect is running smoothly. Should there be any issues, they must take charge of troubleshooting and providing solutions. As someone with more experience, a senior system administrator leads and evaluates the performances of fellow skilled professionals in the department, all while adhering to the company's policies and regulations.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that backup administrator responsibilities requires skills like "vmware," "sql," "storage arrays," and "tsm." But a windows system administrator might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "infrastructure," "powershell," "troubleshoot," and "sccm."
Windows system administrators may earn a lower salary than backup administrators, but windows system administrators earn the most pay in the finance industry with an average salary of $93,089. On the other hand, backup administrators receive higher pay in the health care industry, where they earn an average salary of $120,603.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Windows system administrators tend to reach similar levels of education than backup administrators. In fact, they're 0.9% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.9% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Backup administrator vs. Senior system administrator
UNIX system administrators install, configure, and maintain the UNIX systems of organizations. The administrators are in charge of the troubleshooting of server errors. They install new system hardware for their respective organizations and respond to the issues raised by the users. It is part of their job to monitor the network's performance. Usually, they are working in an office using UNIX multiuser operating system. They supervise the execution of data conversion projects such as database hardware replacements.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a backup administrator is likely to be skilled in "vmware," "sql," "storage arrays," and "tsm," while a typical senior system administrator is skilled in "troubleshoot," "system administration," "powershell," and "azure."
Senior system administrators make a very good living in the finance industry with an average annual salary of $104,418. On the other hand, backup administrators are paid the highest salary in the health care industry, with average annual pay of $120,603.senior system administrators typically earn similar educational levels compared to backup administrators. Specifically, they're 2.2% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.4% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Backup administrator vs. Unix systems administrator
Types of backup administrator
Updated January 8, 2025
