Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
What is an information technology administrator and how to become one
An information technology administrator manages an organization's computer hardware, software, and network systems. They ensure that the technology infrastructure functions properly and remains secure. An IT administrator also manages user accounts, troubleshoots technical issues, and implements new technology solutions. They stay current with the latest trends and collaborate with other departments to provide effective support and make informed decisions. Overall, an IT administrator handles the technology infrastructure of an organization.
What general advice would you give to an information technology administrator?
Ranganathan Chandrasekaran
Professor and Director of Graduate Studies, University of Illinois
Several businesses have been hit hard by the pandemic, and they have rolled back their offers made to students for internships and jobs. Businesses have also resorted to downsizing and layoffs, and we are likely to see that continue, at least in the near term. However, two sectors that are showing promises of a quick turnaround are technology and healthcare.
It might take many months for the economy to get back on track, but the demand for information systems graduates is likely to grow, as a large number of businesses have turned to increased use of technology in this pandemic period. As more companies go digital, we need more professionals to manage the remote-work, technological infrastructure and meet the other demands of the business. Students pursuing education in information systems, computer science, and healthcare are going to be in greater demand.
On the positive side, the uncertainties induced by the pandemic have also helped students to prepare themselves better for a tougher job market. I found many students rise up and use the lockdown period to have a serious introspection and invest their time and effort in upgrading their knowledge and skills. The internship drought and rescinding of job/internship offers brought their dreams crashing down, but I found several students to quickly get over their disappointments, and engage in improving their skillsets utilizing the pandemic lockdown as an opportunity. I am aware of many students, especially in the information systems disciple, who spent time doing online courses, completing certification programs, and take up DIY projects on data analysis, developing analytical and forecasting models, and visualization of various aspects of the pandemic. The pandemic has resulted in massive amounts of data, released by several organizations worldwide, that have provided a stimulant for students to indulge in DIY-projects. I had several students approach me over summer to do some projects, and we have done some interesting projects using public datasets related to COVID-19.
Avg. Salary $73,195
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth rate 5%
Growth rate 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native 0.31%
Asian 9.83%
Black or African American 9.05%
Hispanic or Latino 12.74%
Unknown 5.10%
White 62.97%
Genderfemale 18.43%
male 81.57%
Age - 42American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 42Stress level is manageable
7.1 - high
Complexity level is challenging
7 - challenging
Work life balance is good
6.4 - fair
What are the pros and cons of being an information technology administrator?
Pros
High demand for IT administrators
Good salary and benefits
Opportunity to work with a variety of businesses and industries
Job security in a growing field
Exposure to different areas of IT, such as cybersecurity, networking, and cloud computing
Cons
High stress and pressure to maintain systems uptime
Dealing with difficult users or clients
Risk of burnout due to the demands of the job
Possible exposure to cyber threats and security breaches
High level of competition in the job market, leading to a need for continuous skill development.
Information technology administrator career paths
Key steps to become an information technology administrator
Explore information technology administrator education requirements
Start to develop specific information technology administrator skills
Skills Percentages Customer Service 10.37% Troubleshoot 6.13% Linux 4.55% Database 4.38% VMware 3.67% Complete relevant information technology administrator training and internships
Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New information technology administrators learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an information technology administrator based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real information technology administrator resumes.Gain additional information technology administrator certifications
More About CertificationsInformation technology administrator certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific information technology administrator certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.
The most common certifications for information technology administrators include Network 5 Certification and IT Information Library Foundations Certification (ITIL).
Research information technology administrator duties and responsibilities
- Define, document and project manage the implementation and configuration changes to HRIS applications.
- Manage the migration from ADP to Lawson software; adapt HRIS to fit organizational needs.
- Manage PC trainers and develop high quality internal instructor-le courses.
- Manage host peripheral hardware including disk files and space utilization.
Prepare your information technology administrator resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your information technology administrator resume.
You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an information technology administrator resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.
Choose from 10+ customizable information technology administrator resume templates
Build a professional information technology administrator resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your information technology administrator resume.
Apply for information technology administrator jobs
Now it's time to start searching for an information technology administrator job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
How did you land your first information technology administrator job
Are you an information technology administrator?
Share your story for a free salary report.
Average information technology administrator salary
The average information technology administrator salary in the United States is $73,195 per year or $35 per hour. Information technology administrator salaries range between $50,000 and $105,000 per year.
What am I worth?
How do information technology administrators rate their job?
Information technology administrator reviews
I love the fact that I have self taught myself by trouble shooting issues for fifteen years while working in corrections as the Video court officer with no prior experince or degree
I dislike the fact that I don't get paid as a Video technician although I'm called to fix issues
talking to people
outside weather, I work as a network technician and the main problem I always encounter is the cold weather.
The opportunity to render services to client, and managing technology by giving key information to customers.
Not meeting up to expectation of a client.
Updated January 8, 2025
