How to hire a senior network administrator

How to hire a senior network administrator, step by step

Here's a step-by-step senior network administrator hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a senior network administrator job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new senior network administrator
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a senior network administrator do?

Post a senior network administrator job for free, promote it for a fee

Post free

1. Identify your hiring needs

   The senior network administrator hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A senior network administrator's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, senior network administrators from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   Here's a comparison of senior network administrator salaries for various roles:

   Type of Senior Network Administrator	Description	Hourly rate
   Senior Network Administrator	Computer networks are critical parts of almost every organization. Network and computer systems administrators are responsible for the day-to-day operation of these networks.	$32-55
   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... Show more	$12-19
   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... Show more	$34-63

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Switches
   • Routers
   • Troubleshoot
   • Windows Server
   • Network Infrastructure
   • Lan Wan
   • Network Hardware
   • VPN
   • Firewall
   • Lan
   • Linux
   • Network Security
   • DNS
   • VoIP

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Lead IP management specialist and assist with management of DHCP scopes and reservations.
   • Establish and manage SharePoint base intranet for departmental and interdepartmental support.
   • Configure and manage SQL database archival requests for automate timely data submissions.
   • Configure and manage multiple data and application servers and maintain SQL relational databases.
   • Prioritize and manage servicing of customer trouble calls in locally develop tracking database.
   • Configure and manage company routers and switches in addition to VPN configuration and policy enforcement.

   More senior network administrator duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your senior network administrator job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A senior network administrator salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, senior network administrators' average salary in indiana is 37% less than in california.
   • Seniority. Entry-level senior network administrators earn 41% less than senior-level senior network administrators.
   • Certifications. A senior network administrator with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a senior network administrator's salary.

   Average senior network administrator salary

   $89,169yearly

   $42.87 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level senior network administrator salary

   $68,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 20, 2025

   Average senior network administrator salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$117,836	$57
   2	Washington	$100,870	$49
   3	Nevada	$96,825	$47
   4	Texas	$91,565	$44
   5	Arizona	$91,445	$44
   6	Maryland	$89,822	$43
   7	New York	$89,490	$43
   8	New Jersey	$87,681	$42
   9	Colorado	$87,375	$42
   10	Virginia	$87,031	$42
   11	Georgia	$85,603	$41
   12	Michigan	$81,700	$39
   13	Illinois	$80,898	$39
   14	North Carolina	$80,708	$39
   15	Ohio	$80,356	$39
   16	Arkansas	$78,627	$38
   17	Massachusetts	$78,482	$38
   18	Florida	$77,105	$37
   19	District of Columbia	$71,458	$34

   Average senior network administrator salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Tesoro	$122,897	$59.09
   2	Bio-Rad Laboratories	$121,893	$58.60	1
   3	Rave Mobile Safety	$111,855	$53.78
   4	Newpark	$111,394	$53.55
   5	Illumina	$106,925	$51.41	3
   6	Embarcadero Technologies	$106,801	$51.35
   7	Akamai Technologies	$106,577	$51.24	6
   8	Sturdy Memorial Hospital	$104,529	$50.25	1
   9	Booz Allen Hamilton	$104,162	$50.08	258
   10	Ball	$103,192	$49.61
   11	Oracle	$102,777	$49.41	2,025
   12	SEGA	$102,560	$49.31	1
   13	HTC Global Services - Official Page	$102,441	$49.25
   14	Public Storage	$101,988	$49.03	1
   15	Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria	$101,791	$48.94	1
   16	Northrop Grumman	$100,530	$48.33	131
   17	St. Peter's Health	$100,164	$48.16
   18	Alliance Data	$100,032	$48.09
   19	BMO Capital Markets	$99,899	$48.03
   20	AT&T	$98,918	$47.56	69

4. Writing a senior network administrator job description

   A job description for a senior network administrator role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a senior network administrator job description:

   Senior network administrator job description example

   ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Provide senior-level expertise to resolve moderately to very challenging problems in the area of responsibility. Work independently in nearly all cases with rare need to consult with principal-level expertise on problems of exceptional difficulty. Must be proficient in computer hardware, computer administration, programming, LAN administration, or other related information systems. Must be proficient in managing operating systems for Windows in both standalone and server-based applications. Provide support for J-PRIMES test area real-time computers, support computers and network systems. The scope of this requirement does not extend to non-test area office automation systems, i.e. NIPRNet/SIPRNet connected systems. Systems supported include a mix of Windows-based computer systems and test equipment. Install, maintain, upgrade, and troubleshoot software, including but not limited to operating systems, commercial application software, security software, compilers, and device drivers.
   
   EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: Requires a CompTIA Security+ certification r must be obtained within 6 months
   
   OTHER REQUIREMENTS: Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance. All selected candidates must undergo and successfully pass a background investigation and drug test as a condition of employment.
   Job Requirements:
   
   GENERAL DUTIES: The candidate will perform routine maintenance, upgrades, troubleshooting, and minor repairs to computer and network hardware. Upgrades include, but are not limited to, adding memory modules, hard drives and add-in cards. Troubleshooting activities include, but are not limited to, evaluation of failed systems to determine if they are repairable, making minor repairs, and/or coordinating with warranty/contracted maintenance support. Design and fabricate optimized, application-specific PCs using commercially available components. Serve as the primary technical point-of-contact for interfacing with warranty and/or contracted vendor maintenance support for both hardware and software. Maintain, troubleshoot, and upgrade the test area networks, which include unclassified and classified local area networks (LANs) and the individual test area LANs throughout the J-PRIMES. Maintain computers supporting test activities. Assists in the development, implementation, and maintenance of software configuration control procedures. Assist in the development, implementation, and maintenance of system/software backup procedures. Provide technical expertise to recommend network components, computer systems and components and administrative support software (e.g. license metering systems, security, etc). Assists the system administrator on all test area computers and network systems. Develop, implement, and maintain a disaster recovery plan for systems deemed by the government to be critical HITL systems. Support required accreditation activities.
   
   OTHER DUTIES: Additional duties may be assigned to support contract/mission support requirements in job-related areas.
   
   WORK ENVIRONMENT: Work activities are normally performed in an environmentally controlled area.
   
   PHYSICAL DEMANDS: This position will be subject to substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers. Must be able to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; viewing a computer terminal; and requires standing, sitting, bending, and must be able to lift 50 pounds. Must be able to sit at a workstation and operate a computer for long periods of time.
   
   Note: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this position.
   
   RT&T is committed to safeguarding the health of our employees and their families; our customers and visitors; and the community at large from COVID-19. As a federal government contractor, RT&T must comply with all customer, federal, state, and local requirements regarding COVID-19 regulations and safety protocols. These requirements may include vaccination, attestation regarding your vaccination status and/or COVID-19 testing, and you may be required to show proof of vaccination status and/or negative COVID-19 test results as a condition of your employment.
   
   Reliance Test & Technology is an Affirmative Action Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, Minorities, Vietnam-era veterans, Disabled Veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Any person with a disability needing special accommodations to the application process please call Human Resources.
   

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right senior network administrator for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   To find senior network administrator candidates, you can consider the following options:

   • Post your job opening on Zippia or other job search websites.
   • Use niche websites that focus on engineering and technology jobs, such as dice, engineering.com, stack overflow, it job pro.
   • Post your job on free job posting websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with senior network administrator candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   Sometimes, it's not enough to interview senior network administrator candidates, so you can ask them to do a test project. If you are not a technical person and don't know what a test project should be, you can use these websites:

   • TestDome
   • CodeSignal
   • Testlify
   • BarRaiser
   • Coderbyte

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new senior network administrator

   Once you have selected a candidate for the senior network administrator position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

   Sign up to download full list

   Sign up

How much does it cost to hire a senior network administrator?