What does a junior systems administrator do?
A junior systems administrator is primarily responsible for handling and maintaining systems for users while under the supervision of a more experienced systems administrator. Their responsibilities often revolve around assisting senior administrators, troubleshooting support, providing installations and configurations, and handling inquiries and concerns, providing them with corrective measures. Aside from support tasks, one may also have administrative duties such as producing reports and presentations, managing schedules, and maintaining accurate data of all transactions. Furthermore, it is essential to adhere to all the policies and regulations of the company.
Junior systems administrator responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real junior systems administrator resumes:
- Manage Linux servers, running primarily CentOS.
- Manage customer accounts and cases in Salesforce.
- Load and manage customer provide encryption files.
- Create, run and manage server back-ups monthly.
- Develop PowerShell scripts to revamp and automate server build process.
- Maintain and manage windows 2012 R2 in a virtual environment.
- Implement automated local user provisioning instances create in AWS cloud.
- Maintain and build Citrix VM s, NAS, VirtualBox environment builds.
- Install and manage DNS, DHCP and create remote access for clients in the field.
- Perform server and storage consolidation for NFS, NIS, DNS, and DHCP services on Linux.
- Configure and maintain machines on classify networks to include CENTRIX-K, RIPR and SIPR, UNIX and LINUX.
- Migrate applications to the AWS cloud.
- Maintain firm website using Microsoft FrontPage and FTP.
- Repair corporate user PCs, maintain complex server/network.
- Learned and develop scripts for general tasks in Powershell.
Junior systems administrator skills and personality traits
We calculated that 7% of Junior Systems Administrators are proficient in Windows Server, Troubleshoot, and Technical Support. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Problem-solving skills.
We break down the percentage of Junior Systems Administrators that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Windows Server, 7%
Leveraged technology to execute administrative control of windows servers, active directory and group policy.
- Troubleshoot, 5%
Collaborated with Senior System Administrator to troubleshoot high level incident tasks.
- Technical Support, 5%
Provided technical support to clients utilizing company's website and direct marketing products and assisted in administering corporate Local Area Network.
- System Administration, 5%
Researched and recommended innovative, and where possible automated approaches for system administration tasks.
- Switches, 5%
Network set up experience covers wired and wireless LAN/WAN set up, patch panel, switches, Cat5 cabling.
- OS, 4%
Implemented security measures against end user vulnerabilities by resetting OS configurations to custom settings following a station reboot.
Most junior systems administrators use their skills in "windows server," "troubleshoot," and "technical support" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential junior systems administrator responsibilities here:
Analytical skills. The most essential soft skill for a junior systems 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 junior systems administrator resume shows how their duties depend on analytical skills: "comply with system needs in reports and as well as to other computer system for data uploading and interfacing. "
Communication skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling junior systems 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 junior systems administrator resume, here's how junior systems administrators can utilize communication skills in their job responsibilities: "configured and managed telecommunication lines and programmed voip phone systems to ensure full functionality of communications systems. "
Problem-solving skills. junior systems administrators are also known for problem-solving skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to junior systems administrator responsibilities, because "administrators must quickly resolve problems that arise with computer networks." A junior systems administrator resume example shows how problem-solving skills is used in the workplace: "designed, implemented, and maintained enterprise level sccm solution. "
The three companies that hire the most junior systems administrators are:
Choose from 10+ customizable junior systems administrator resume templates
Build a professional junior systems 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 junior systems administrator resume.
Compare different junior systems administrators
Junior systems administrator vs. Information technology specialist
An Information Technology Specialist, also known as a Computer Professional or IT Specialist, is responsible for the computer support of an establishment or individual. Most of the duties require extensive and proactive knowledge of Information Technology, such as in the aspects of network and systems administration, security and information, hardware and software management, troubleshooting, and more. The tasks of an IT Specialist are diverse. It is not limited to installation or activation, as it also involves monitoring, management, and analyzation.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between junior systems administrators and information technology specialist. For instance, junior systems administrator responsibilities require skills such as "san," "nas," "desktop support," and "powershell." Whereas a information technology specialist is skilled in "customer service," "database," "dod," and "system software." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Information technology specialists really shine in the technology industry with an average salary of $84,905. Comparatively, junior systems administrators tend to make the most money in the finance industry with an average salary of $65,174.information technology specialists tend to reach similar levels of education than junior systems administrators. In fact, information technology specialists are 3.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Junior systems administrator vs. Systems support
A systems support agent is responsible for resolving system applications and network issues, performing technical configuration, and upgrading systems infrastructure. A systems support representative conducts regular maintenance and diagnostic tests on the computer applications to ensure its optimal performance and efficiency to support business operations and avoid delays in deliverables. They also assist the technology team in designing backup systems and improve existing networks according to business requirements and specifications. They write resolution reports for reference to prevent the reoccurrence of system malfunction and inconsistencies.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that junior systems administrator responsibilities requires skills like "system administration," "san," "nas," and "powershell." But a systems support might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "customer service," "provides technical support," "end user support," and "system support."
On average, systems supports earn a higher salary than junior systems administrators. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, systems supports earn the most pay in the professional industry with an average salary of $72,760. Whereas junior systems administrators have higher pay in the finance industry, with an average salary of $65,174.In general, systems supports achieve similar levels of education than junior systems administrators. They're 2.6% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for junior systems administrators in the next 3-5 years?
Babak Beheshti Ph.D.
Dean, Professor, New York Institute of Technology
-We will be witnessing a more widespread commercial deployment of 5G in 2020. With the implementation of the Standalone 5G devices based on the 3gpp release 16, we should be seeing the more robust mobile broadband deployment of 5G, wider availability of 5G smartphones, and a push towards an all 5G Network in select urban areas around the world.
-Significant growth in AI-based technologies, from face recognition and voice recognition to business intelligence and market predictions. As machines and deep learning algorithms get integrated into many applications, many industries will undergo substantial changes. AI systems will continue to interact with our phones; cars will interpret and analyze their surroundings and intelligently drive themselves. Online vendors will monitor our browsing habits, and Google decides what kind of search results to give us, based on who it thinks we are.
Junior systems administrator vs. Systems support analyst
A systems support analyst is responsible for supporting the operations of the technology department of an organization, resolving network issues, and maintaining the safety and security of the system database. Systems support analysts must have excellent knowledge of the technology industry, identifying system process improvements, upgrading system infrastructure, and assisting end-users with navigation. They also create resolution reports for reference, including recommendations to prevent future inconsistencies and glitches. A systems support analyst conducts regular maintenance checks on the technology servers and immediately performs troubleshooting as needed for optimization.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, junior systems administrators are more likely to have skills like "switches," "san," "nas," and "desktop support." But a systems support analyst is more likely to have skills like "customer service," "database," "linux," and "system support."
Systems support analysts earn the best pay in the finance industry, where they command an average salary of $93,049. Junior systems administrators earn the highest pay from the finance industry, with an average salary of $65,174.Most systems support analysts achieve a similar degree level compared to junior systems administrators. For example, they're 2.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Junior systems administrator vs. Systems engineer
Systems engineers are responsible for creating and overseeing systems related to the overall operations of the organization. They are in charge of assessing the organization's needs in terms of systems and creating plans to address these needs. These systems are usually related to the production or manufacturing of company products. Systems engineers create end-to-end processes that ensure efficiency and effectiveness. They make sure that the processes they put in place adhere to safety and security policies and guidelines. They also do routine checks and continuously find ways to further improve production and other systems.
Types of junior systems administrator
Updated January 8, 2025
