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What does a senior information technology administrator do?

Updated January 8, 2025
8 min read
Quoted expert
Babak Beheshti Ph.D.

A senior information technology administrator leads and oversees the efforts in maintaining computer systems and infrastructures, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. Their responsibilities include setting goals and objectives, managing budgets and schedules, supervising the installation and upgrades of systems, and developing strategies to optimize a company's information technology operations. They may also perform regular maintenance checks on systems, performing corrective measures as needed. Furthermore, as a senior administrator, it is essential to serve as a role model to junior administrators and staff, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

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Senior information technology administrator responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real senior information technology administrator resumes:

  • Maintain accurate VOIP phone inventory to manage costs.
  • Manage installation of SharePoint farm OS security patches and SharePoint & SQL CUs and SP updates.
  • Network administration utilizing Dell/ Force10 manage switches, as well as Aruba and FortiNet wireless devices.
  • Manage SharePoint permissions and configuration of SharePoint accounts and sites.
  • Design and install the SAN environment to support the VMWare infrastructure.
  • Audit and enforce systems security standards for the UNIX and Linux operations environment.
  • Implement SPF record on DNS server to resolve SPAM issues.
  • Support enterprise SharePoint 2013 farms for collaboration, project and intranet use.
  • Purchase computer equipment which include server equipment, routers, hubs and switches.
  • Provide support to the Admin and CSR network with the VoIP and network infrastructure.
  • Code, test and troubleshoot programs utilizing the current hardware, database, and programming technology.
  • Present final solution base on proof of concept and ROI findings which include implementing a SAN along with propose implementation schedule.
  • Maintain and troubleshoot internal document/customer relationship management system, NewForma.
  • Support web development team by building Linux servers according to specifications.
  • Help maintained back-end connectivity to the Citrix application servers for remote connectivity.

Senior information technology administrator skills and personality traits

We calculated that 7% of Senior Information Technology Administrators are proficient in Linux, SAN, and Unity. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Multitasking skills.

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

  • Linux, 7%

    Supported web development team by building Linux servers according to specifications.

  • SAN, 6%

    Create and maintain Monitoring of Cluster Service, SAN, Backups, RAID, Two-tier in the event of failure.

  • Unity, 4%

    Designed and implemented Cisco VoIP Offices, and managed the Cisco Avid VoIP network, including Unity Voice Mail, Unified Messaging

  • Windows Server, 4%

    Developed innovated time-saving process to automate installation of Oracle Clients on windows servers using customer self serving application.

  • Troubleshoot, 4%

    Trained staff on how to install, configure, and troubleshoot the BMA Outlook Search Plugin.

  • Unix, 3%

    Account management and maintenance within applications such as Oracle, Windows, Unix.

Common skills that a senior information technology administrator uses to do their job include "linux," "san," and "unity." You can find details on the most important senior information technology administrator responsibilities below.

Analytical skills. The most essential soft skill for a senior information technology 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 senior information technology administrator resume shows how their duties depend on analytical skills: "analyze java thread dumps and heap dumps. "

Communication skills. Another essential skill to perform senior information technology administrator duties is communication skills. Senior information technology administrators responsibilities require that "administrators must describe problems and their solutions to non-it workers." Senior information technology administrators also use communication skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "achieved primary goal of modernization of the office with unified communications available outside the office network. "

Multitasking skills. senior information technology administrators are also known for multitasking skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to senior information technology administrator responsibilities, because "administrators may have to work on many problems and tasks at the same time." A senior information technology administrator resume example shows how multitasking skills is used in the workplace: "organized work flow while multitasking, critical thinking and solved technical issues troubleshooted and resolved network connectivity issues. "

Problem-solving skills. senior information technology administrator responsibilities often require "problem-solving skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "administrators must quickly resolve problems that arise with computer networks." This resume example shows what senior information technology administrators do with problem-solving skills on a typical day: "resolved network security issues by implementing policies and standards for lan / wan connectivity. "

Most common senior information technology administrator skills

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Compare different senior information technology administrators

Senior information technology administrator vs. Lan administrator

LAN administrators are responsible for maintaining the local area network of an organization. These administrators manage the server that connects an organization's network to computers and equipment that need them. They install, configure, and troubleshoot the local area network or LAN in a corporate office. It is part of their job to ensure that the internet is available for everyone who uses computers to perform their roles. They also evaluate and recommend the computers, hardware and software, and the equipment needed to create a hack-proof server.

The annual salary of lan administrators is $44,415 lower than the average salary of senior information technology administrators.Even though senior information technology administrators and lan administrators are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require linux, san, and windows server in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between senior information technology administrators and lan administrator. For instance, senior information technology administrator responsibilities require skills such as "unity," "dod," "powershell," and "sccm." Whereas a lan administrator is skilled in "network hardware," "emerging technologies," "technical support," and "network administration." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Lan administrators earn the highest salaries when working in the technology industry, with an average yearly salary of $74,033. On the other hand, senior information technology administrators are paid more in the hospitality industry with an average salary of $114,125.On average, lan administrators reach lower levels of education than senior information technology administrators. Lan administrators are 5.7% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Senior information technology 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.

A career as a systems administrator lead brings a lower average salary when compared to the average annual salary of a senior information technology administrator. In fact, systems administrator leads salary is $5,401 lower than the salary of senior information technology administrators per year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Senior information technology administrators and systems administrator leads both require similar skills like "linux," "san," and "windows server" to carry out their responsibilities.

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that senior information technology administrator responsibilities requires skills like "unity," "troubleshoot," "vmware," and "powershell." But a systems administrator lead might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "system performance," "technical support," "database," and "itil."

Systems administrator leads may earn a lower salary than senior information technology administrators, but systems administrator leads earn the most pay in the telecommunication industry with an average salary of $103,205. On the other hand, senior information technology administrators receive higher pay in the hospitality industry, where they earn an average salary of $114,125.systems administrator leads earn similar levels of education than senior information technology administrators in general. They're 1.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

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

Babak Beheshti Ph.D.Babak Beheshti Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Dean, Professor, New York Institute of Technology

-The enormous growth of IoT and wearables. The number of connected devices is expected to be more than 26 billion in 2020. That includes things like household appliances, controllable lighting, and much more. This trend is likely to continue as it is expected to see the industry grow to 661 billion dollars by 2021.

-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.

Senior information technology administrator vs. Lead administrator

Lead administrators are information technology (IT) professionals who are responsible for managing and troubleshooting departmental computer operations of an organization. These IT professionals must manage and approve access to their online score data as well as create new users directly in the portal to allow access to the score data. They manage the office supplies of the organization while processing salary management and executive payroll every month. Lead administrators must also coordinate with technicians for hardware, printer, and cabling repairs.

On average, lead administrators earn lower salaries than senior information technology administrators, with a $10,913 difference per year.By looking over several senior information technology administrators and lead administrators resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "linux," "san," and "troubleshoot." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, senior information technology administrators are more likely to have skills like "unity," "windows server," "voip," and "network security." But a lead administrator is more likely to have skills like "payroll," "office equipment," "branch management," and "expense reports."

Lead administrators make a very good living in the finance industry with an average annual salary of $90,650. On the other hand, senior information technology administrators are paid the highest salary in the hospitality industry, with average annual pay of $114,125.Most lead administrators achieve a similar degree level compared to senior information technology administrators. For example, they're 0.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.9% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Senior information technology administrator vs. Systems administrator

Systems administrators are employees who oversee information technology infrastructures in the office. They are skilled information technology professionals who are knowledgeable about the company's network systems and other technology-related infrastructures. They are responsible for installing, configuring, or updating network systems, software, and hardware. They also monitor the different systems and troubleshoot any issues that users may encounter. Systems administrators manage the access of users, ensure the security of the network, and address any challenges that users may have. They conduct repairs and routine maintenance to ensure that the systems in place are in the best shape.

Systems administrators average a lower salary than the annual salary of senior information technology administrators. The difference is about $28,201 per year.While both senior information technology administrators and systems administrators complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like linux, san, and windows server, the two careers vary in some skills.While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "unity," "vmware," "network security," and "dod" are skills that commonly show up on senior information technology administrator resumes. On the other hand, systems administrators use skills like database, technical support, system performance, and red hat on their resumes.systems administrators enjoy the best pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $86,962. For comparison, senior information technology administrators earn the highest salary in the hospitality industry.In general, systems administrators hold similar degree levels compared to senior information technology administrators. Systems administrators are 3.3% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.4% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of senior information technology 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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