What does a network administrator do?

A network administrator is responsible for managing an organization's computer systems, ensuring its smooth operations and highest efficiency. Network administrators' duties include inspecting network malfunctions, troubleshooting unresponsive programs, improving system processes, analyzing client's specifications, upgrading existing applications, coordinating with the technology department, and creating a report of network issues resolutions. A network administrator should display a strong command of programming languages. Extensive knowledge in the technology industry and analytical and problem-solving skills to manage network problems immediately is also necessary.
Network administrator responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real network administrator resumes:
- Lead and manage desktop standards project.
- Manage backups using EMC Networker and Avamar.
- Manage Solarwinds to monitor servers and networks for all locations.
- Manage all provisioning and technical issues for new customer IP blocks.
- Deploy and manage storage (windows file servers and NetApp NAS).
- Manage all technology: Novell, Microsoft, Cisco, email, library, labs, dorms, programs
- Used TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, BGP, EIGRP to assure information is routed correctly to its destination.
- Administer nightly server backups as well as server-side anti virus protection, troubleshooting TCP/IP, and DHCP and DNS issues.
- Institute centrally manage Linux configurations for application deployments, disaster recovery.
- Provide security hardening on switches and routers in turn decreasing susceptibility to threats.
- Network administration including user account management, email system, firewall, office systems and applications.
- Configure and maintain the TCP/IP infrastructure, including internal and external DNS management necessary for customer connectivity.
- Install and maintain multiple Cisco routers and switches providing data connectivity over a widely geographically disperse area of customers.
- Include technical support in implementation and ongoing maintenance operations of LAN and implementation of end-user computing applications and hardware.
- Verify compliance of administrators on network operations and system administration best practices keeping in compliance with current DOD instructions.
Network administrator skills and personality traits
We calculated that 7% of Network Administrators are proficient in Switches, Windows Server, and Troubleshoot. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Multitasking skills.
We break down the percentage of Network Administrators that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Switches, 7%
Learned about all installation of various equipment including Switches, Routers and Wireless controller related to Network and communication.
- Windows Server, 6%
Experience in analyzing and troubleshooting Microsoft Windows Server hardware, Software applications and clustered environment issues.
- Troubleshoot, 5%
Monitor Network performance, troubleshoot Network outages and escalate network outage problems to Network Engineering team using Remedy ticketing system.
- Network Hardware, 5%
Maintained documentation regarding network configuration, operating procedures, and service records relating to network hardware and software using Remedy.
- Routers, 4%
Installed and maintained multiple Cisco routers and switches providing data connectivity over a widely geographically dispersed area of customers.
- Lan Wan, 4%
Designed HQ, branch and Co-location Data Center LAN WAN network.
"switches," "windows server," and "troubleshoot" are among the most common skills that network administrators use at work. You can find even more network administrator responsibilities below, including:
Analytical skills. One of the key soft skills for a network administrator to have is analytical skills. You can see how this relates to what network administrators do 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 network administrator resume shows how network administrators use analytical skills: "implemented veritas backup exec to ensure reliable copies of data are available in the event of an outage. "
Communication skills. Another essential skill to perform network administrator duties is communication skills. Network administrators responsibilities require that "administrators must describe problems and their solutions to non-it workers." Network administrators also use communication skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "designed, configured, installed and maintained local area network hardware, software and telecommunication services. "
Multitasking skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of network administrators is multitasking skills. This skill is critical to many everyday network administrator duties, as "administrators may have to work on many problems and tasks at the same time." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "exhibit strong communication, critical thinking, multitasking, troubleshooting, and customer service skills"
Problem-solving skills. A big part of what network administrators do relies on "problem-solving skills." You can see how essential it is to network administrator responsibilities because "administrators must quickly resolve problems that arise with computer networks." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical network administrator tasks: "installed and configured server storage solution utilizing norton backup exec. "
The three companies that hire the most network administrators are:
- Robert Half61 network administrators jobs
- Analysts
40 network administrators jobs
- Huntington Ingalls Industries29 network administrators jobs
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Network administrator vs. Network internship
In a network internship, an intern's duties depend on the directives of a manager or supervisor. They typically perform support and beginner tasks, such as processing and organizing documentation, liaising with potential clients through calls and correspondence, greeting visitors, answering inquiries, and running errands. An intern may also participate in creating business plans, optimizing existing systems, attending meetings, conducting market research and analysis, and handling issues and concerns in adherence to the company's policies and regulations.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between network administrators and network internship. For instance, network administrator responsibilities require skills such as "lan wan," "network security," "technical support," and "network administration." Whereas a network internship is skilled in "python," "c++," "customer service," and "facebook." This is part of what separates the two careers.
On average, network interns reach similar levels of education than network administrators. Network interns are 2.2% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Network administrator vs. Network support analyst
Network support analysts are professionals who provide technical support as well as maintain various network components for an organization's network system. These analysts are responsible for installing and configuring local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), internet systems, and other components of network systems. They are required to monitor the performance of networks and systems and align network use and access by using master consoles. Network support analysts must also organize and deploy security measures for the network so that they can safeguard software, hardware, and data.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real network administrator resumes. While network administrator responsibilities can utilize skills like "network hardware," "network administration," "sql server," and "backup exec," network support analysts use skills like "problem resolution," "remedy," "juniper," and "visio."
Network support analysts earn a higher average salary than network administrators. But network support analysts earn the highest pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $98,644. Additionally, network administrators earn the highest salaries in the finance with average pay of $74,936 annually.In general, network support analysts achieve similar levels of education than network administrators. They're 0.7% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for network administrators in the next 3-5 years?
Associate Teaching Professor, Tufts University
References:
1. cybersecurity
2. cybersecurity
Network administrator vs. Network manager
A network manager is responsible for monitoring the efficient network connection of the company's technology systems, analyzing system designs, and overseeing installation processes and programs. Network managers inspect the efficiency of existing network management systems, upgrading network data to boost optimal performance and communication transportation. A network manager must have excellent knowledge of technology disciplines and should always be updated with the recent technology trends, guiding the network staff on their tasks and immediately resolving system defects and discrepancies.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from network administrator resumes include skills like "technical support," "network administration," "ios," and "backup exec," whereas a network manager is more likely to list skills in "customer service," "project management," "provider network," and "visio. "
Network managers make a very good living in the technology industry with an average annual salary of $105,251. On the other hand, network administrators are paid the highest salary in the finance industry, with average annual pay of $74,936.network managers typically earn similar educational levels compared to network administrators. Specifically, they're 4.2% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.4% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Network 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.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between network administrators and information technology administrators, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a network administrator might have more use for skills like "network hardware," "routers," "network administration," and "network performance." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of information technology administrators require skills like "customer service," "database," "system administration," and "sccm. "
Information technology administrators enjoy the best pay in the finance industry, with an average salary of $93,678. For comparison, network administrators earn the highest salary in the finance industry.The average resume of information technology administrators showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to network administrators. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 0.2% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.1%.Types of network administrator
Updated January 8, 2025











