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What does an exchange administrator do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
Quoted expert
David Groshoff

An Exchange Administrator is responsible for setting up and managing an organization's Microsoft Exchange server. As an Exchange Administrator, you will assist in creating mailboxes and user accounts as well as restoring files and backup security. You will also conduct routine maintenance of the server, configure new users, and help in managing server infrastructure. Other duties include managing email-related tools and systems, assisting in server migration and disaster recovery, and handling and managing client inquiries.

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Exchange administrator responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real exchange administrator resumes:

  • Monitor, maintain, and manage Citrix XenApp user sessions and support their ThinClients.
  • Manage IIS 6.0 and IIS 7.0 server clusters and services across multiple sites and domains.
  • Save company many hours of manual testing and developing by engineering Java applications to automate tedious tasks.
  • Utilize strong working knowledge of TCP/IP, DHCP, HTTP, LDAP, SNMP, SMTP, and other networking protocols.
  • Subject matter expert on the Linux and UNIX servers.
  • Perform multiple batch moves from on-premise exchange environment to O365.
  • Experience in DNS administration, installation of DHCP, configuration of DHCP scopes.
  • Configure DNS and DHCP servers to provide name resolution and IP connectivity for users.
  • Team participant in infrastructure planning and implementation of the organization's disaster recovery site.
  • Provide support for HTTP, POP3, IMAP, LDAP, and SMTP.
  • Optimize the existing SCCM environment.
  • Maintain SQL databases by updating and compiling reports.
  • Deploy and configure DHCP server, print server.
  • Install and configure SQL server, and Packman front-end.
  • Provide LYNC to LYNC video calling to VIP users.

Exchange administrator skills and personality traits

We calculated that 8% of Exchange Administrators are proficient in PowerShell, Windows Server, and Troubleshoot. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Problem-solving skills.

We break down the percentage of Exchange Administrators that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • PowerShell, 8%

    Automated and executed Office 365 administrative tasks via PowerShell such as user account licensing and statistic reporting.

  • Windows Server, 7%

    Hold multifaceted responsibilities for configuring, installing and administering Windows servers and telecommunications systems that supported staff of 500 personnel.

  • Troubleshoot, 7%

    Blackberry and Good-mobile administration services to include: management and troubleshoot user accounts, application control policies and software configuration.

  • Infrastructure, 6%

    Coordinated and ensured the successful installation and configuration of critical Iraqi Command and Control Data and Voice network infrastructure.

  • Microsoft Exchange, 6%

    Experience in configuring and troubleshooting Blackberry Enterprise and Microsoft Exchange.

  • Mobile Device Management, 4%

    Trouble shoot with mail flow issue to BB Mobile Device Management.

Most exchange administrators use their skills in "powershell," "windows server," and "troubleshoot" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential exchange administrator responsibilities here:

Analytical skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for an exchange administrator to have is analytical skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "administrators need to evaluate networks and systems to make sure that they perform reliably and to anticipate new requirements as customers’ needs change." Exchange administrators often use analytical skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "managed site connectivity and replication throughout the organization and handled daily aspects of exchange such as database maintenance and connectivity. "

Communication skills. Another essential skill to perform exchange administrator duties is communication skills. Exchange administrators responsibilities require that "administrators must describe problems and their solutions to non-it workers." Exchange administrators also use communication skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "consulted with hardware, communications and database experts and/or vendors to ensure viability of systems. "

Problem-solving skills. This is an important skill for exchange administrators to perform their duties. For an example of how exchange administrator responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "administrators must quickly resolve problems that arise with computer networks." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of an exchange administrator: "implemented email encryption solution utilizing cisco's registered envelope technology. ".

Most common exchange administrator skills

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Compare different exchange administrators

Exchange 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.

If we compare the average exchange administrator annual salary with that of a network/server administrator, we find that network/server administrators typically earn a $14,594 lower salary than exchange administrators make annually.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both exchange administrator and network/server administrator positions are skilled in powershell, windows server, and troubleshoot.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, exchange administrator responsibilities require skills like "infrastructure," "mobile device management," "exchange server," and "cloud." Meanwhile a typical network/server administrator has skills in areas such as "customer service," "linux," "server administration," and "sql server." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

Network/server administrators tend to make the most money working in the manufacturing industry, where they earn an average salary of $84,609. In contrast, exchange administrators make the biggest average salary, $100,088, in the finance industry.network/server administrators tend to reach similar levels of education than exchange administrators. In fact, network/server administrators are 2.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Exchange 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.

A career as a information technology administrator brings a lower average salary when compared to the average annual salary of an exchange administrator. In fact, information technology administrators salary is $20,318 lower than the salary of exchange administrators per year.A few skills overlap for exchange administrators and information technology administrators. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "windows server," "troubleshoot," and "microsoft exchange. "

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, exchange administrator responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "powershell," "infrastructure," "cloud," and "sql." Meanwhile, an information technology administrator has duties that require skills in areas such as "customer service," "linux," "switches," and "sql server." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

Information technology administrators earn a lower average salary than exchange administrators. But information technology administrators earn the highest pay in the finance industry, with an average salary of $93,678. Additionally, exchange administrators earn the highest salaries in the finance with average pay of $100,088 annually.In general, information technology administrators achieve similar levels of education than exchange administrators. They're 0.8% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for exchange administrators in the next 3-5 years?

David GroshoffDavid Groshoff LinkedIn profile

Dean, American Jewish University

Robust virtual meeting technology, such as Zoom, will become increasingly crucial for workforce productivity. While Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and other platforms have provided much-needed capabilities during this time, they-and WiFi providers-could not fully keep up with the demands. Over the coming years, the technology will likely develop to engage in virtual meetings just as fully via mobile technology via desktop, including screen share functionality.

Exchange 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.

On average, systems administrator leads earn higher salaries than exchange administrators, with a $6,443 difference per year.Using the responsibilities included on exchange administrators and systems administrator leads resumes, we found that both professions have similar skill requirements, such as "windows server," "microsoft exchange," and "mobile device management.rdquo;

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, an exchange administrator is likely to be skilled in "powershell," "troubleshoot," "infrastructure," and "exchange server," while a typical systems administrator lead is skilled in "linux," "project management," "system performance," and "dod."

Systems administrator leads make a very good living in the telecommunication industry with an average annual salary of $103,205. On the other hand, exchange administrators are paid the highest salary in the finance industry, with average annual pay of $100,088.systems administrator leads typically earn similar educational levels compared to exchange administrators. Specifically, they're 2.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.7% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Exchange 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.

Windows system administrators typically earn lower pay than exchange administrators. On average, windows system administrators earn a $13,668 lower salary per year.According to resumes from exchange administrators and windows system administrators, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "powershell," "windows server," and "troubleshoot. "Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. An exchange administrator uses "exchange server," "cloud," "sql," and "vmware." Windows system administrators are more likely to have duties that require skills in "linux," "group policy," "disk," and "sql server. "In general, windows system administrators earn the most working in the finance industry, with an average salary of $93,089. The highest-paying industry for an exchange administrator is the finance industry.windows system administrators reach similar levels of education compared to exchange administrators, in general. The difference is that they're 1.6% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of exchange administrator

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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