What does a computer administrator do?
Computer administrators oversee the daily operation of computer networks. These administrators manage the configuration and upkeep of such networks, including updating equipment and software and identifying and resolving issues. They determine what an organization requires in both a network and a computer system before setting it up and configuring it. Also, they are responsible for all installation tasks, recording data, evaluating problems identified by users, and making various troubleshooting attempts to solve them. The skills that they must excel in are technical, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
Computer administrator responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real computer administrator resumes:
- Manage inventory of forensic hardware and software utilities of forensic laboratory as well as maintaining forensic workstations and laboratory LAN.
- Administer IBM - Quickplace & SharePoint collaborative software.
- support of OS and any projects assign by upper management.
- Supervise and maintain the operation of a school computer and mathematics lab.
- Analyze and troubleshoot hardware and software relate issues, as well as resolved end-user problems.
- Maintain, analyze, troubleshoot, and repair computer systems, hardware and computer peripherals.
- Create and maintain JDE user ids and JDE security through security workbench for SOX audit.
- Complete rewire of network cabling including new routers, switches for new workstations at primary location.
- Install, troubleshooting, and maintain business and industrial PC'S, network framework and server systems.
- Plan and implement network security including building firewalls, programming switches, and applying cryptography to network applications.
- Work WPF application for kiosk systems that used SQL merge replication technology so that kioskscould work in offline mode.
- Train users on the basics of network and computer usage follow by specific training for cad and custom software usage.
- Provide all PC workstation, printer, copier and associate peripheral support as well as all desktop and user application support.
- Coordinate long and short-term mathematics instructional program planning.
- Identify and resolve operational problems including maintenance-relate issues and Ethernet LAN connectivity.
Computer administrator skills and personality traits
We calculated that 12% of Computer Administrators are proficient in CAD, Troubleshoot, and Printers. They’re also known for soft skills such as Multitasking skills, Problem-solving skills, and Analytical skills.
We break down the percentage of Computer Administrators that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- CAD, 12%
Advanced business justifications and researched CAD related software products for purchase.
- Troubleshoot, 6%
Analyzed and troubleshoot hardware and software related issues, as well as resolved end-user problems.
- Printers, 6%
Served as the administrator for all computers, printers, software and hardware for the directorate.
- Computer System, 6%
Coordinated with technicians on the latest computer configurations and MITRE supported computer systems.
- Linux, 5%
Perform system admin duties for all HP, Sun, and Linux systems at Campbell site.
- Desktop, 5%
Provided desktop support for specialized hardware and software systems used to track vehicles.
Common skills that a computer administrator uses to do their job include "cad," "troubleshoot," and "printers." You can find details on the most important computer administrator responsibilities below.
Multitasking skills. The most essential soft skill for a computer administrator to carry out their responsibilities is multitasking skills. This skill is important for the role because "administrators may have to work on many problems and tasks at the same time." Additionally, a computer administrator resume shows how their duties depend on multitasking skills: "run unix based hp and sun systems with multitasking duties. "
Problem-solving skills. Many computer administrator duties rely on problem-solving skills. "administrators must quickly resolve problems that arise with computer networks.," so a computer administrator will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways computer administrator responsibilities rely on problem-solving skills: "created various solutions utilizing scriptpro and other miscellaneous tools to streamline cad production. "
Analytical skills. This is an important skill for computer administrators to perform their duties. For an example of how computer administrator responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "administrators need to evaluate networks and systems to make sure that they perform reliably and to anticipate new requirements as customers’ needs change." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a computer administrator: "created a new reconciliation process to compare data stored in the data warehouse and as400 jd edwards world erp system. ".
Communication skills. A big part of what computer administrators do relies on "communication skills." You can see how essential it is to computer administrator responsibilities because "administrators must describe problems and their solutions to non-it workers." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical computer administrator tasks: "innovated lan based calendar system for paperless communication and smooth job schedule flow. "
The three companies that hire the most computer administrators are:
- CBRE Group137 computer administrators jobs
- D.R. Horton9 computer administrators jobs
- Gulfstream Aerospace6 computer administrators jobs
Choose from 10+ customizable computer administrator resume templates
Build a professional computer administrator resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your computer administrator resume.
Compare different computer administrators
Computer administrator vs. Computer engineer
A computer engineer is someone who examines, designs, and manages computer hardware and software systems. He/She or she helps in solving issues or any concerns that may occur with the computer's hardware and software as well as assists in the innovation of computer technology. Computer engineers are responsible for computer hardware design, development, research, and test computer systems. They examine components like circuit boards, processors, memory devices, routers, and networks. While, those working with the computer software are in charge of the development, design, and administration of software programs.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a computer administrator are more likely to require skills like "printers," "desktop," "cnc," and "customer service." On the other hand, a job as a computer engineer requires skills like "c #," "python," "software development," and "java." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Computer engineers tend to make the most money working in the finance industry, where they earn an average salary of $117,704. In contrast, computer administrators make the biggest average salary, $83,399, in the automotive industry.computer engineers tend to reach higher levels of education than computer administrators. In fact, computer engineers are 5.8% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.9% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Computer administrator vs. Information technology administrator
An Information Technology (IT) administrator is an individual responsible for managing the day-to-day operation of an organization's IT systems and ensuring that the systems are running effectively. IT administrators must conduct consistent analyses of the computer system and install updates when needed. They are required to assess the organization's security programs and run the system for viruses and spyware. IT administrators also extend support to the organization's end-users and train them on desktop applications.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real computer administrator resumes. While computer administrator responsibilities can utilize skills like "cad," "printers," "desktop," and "cnc," information technology administrators use skills like "database," "vmware," "pc," and "san."
On average, information technology administrators earn a lower salary than computer administrators. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, information technology administrators earn the most pay in the finance industry with an average salary of $93,678. Whereas computer administrators have higher pay in the automotive industry, with an average salary of $83,399.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Information technology administrators tend to reach similar levels of education than computer administrators. In fact, they're 1.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.9% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Computer administrator vs. 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. 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 computer administrator is likely to be skilled in "cad," "printers," "computer system," and "linux," while a typical unix systems administrator is skilled in "production servers," "solaris," "database," and "san."
Unix systems administrators earn the best pay in the finance industry, where they command an average salary of $110,380. Computer administrators earn the highest pay from the automotive industry, with an average salary of $83,399.Most unix systems administrators achieve a similar degree level compared to computer administrators. For example, they're 2.9% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.5% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Computer 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.
Types of computer administrator
Updated January 8, 2025
