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What does a software administrator do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
Quoted expert
Babak Beheshti Ph.D.
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Software administrator responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real software administrator resumes:

  • Accomplish relational database administration and implementation.
  • Maintain department servers (UNIX, Novell, NT) and create accounts for employees.
  • Serve as the focal point of contact regarding all applications and services of Linux and UNIX.
  • Maintain corporate network and information systems on NT and Novell platform.
  • Deploy and configure laptops, workstations and servers throughout network environment.
  • Customize CMS software where require and perform troubleshooting and repair on LAN.
  • Load, update, maintain and troubleshoot high availability aircraft engine maintenance software.
  • Administer software patches via UNIX platform for call management system from remote location.
  • Maintain and troubleshoot daily error reports from the overnight batch processing and macro updates.
  • Configure and maintain SharePoint for use as a repository and as a ticketing system.
  • Send and receive files and install via FTP for both UNIX TCP/IP and windows systems.
  • Install firewalls for all locations and connect all remote sites via VPN at a reasonable price.
  • Plan, budget and purchase network upgrade workstations, servers, and software to fit the organizations growing needs.
  • Monitor and optimize performance on systems and services such as DNS, DHCP, network usage, and bandwidth.
  • Provide desktop support on an as needed basis for the lab, fixing hardware, software and OS issues.

Software administrator skills and personality traits

We calculated that 9% of Software Administrators are proficient in SQL, Troubleshoot, and Linux. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Problem-solving skills.

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

  • SQL, 9%

    Created/Corrected SQL queries and stored procedures for SQL server database for in house ERP system.

  • Troubleshoot, 7%

    Work with IT and vendors to diagnose, troubleshoot, and resolve software/system issues in a timely manner.

  • Linux, 7%

    Served as the focal point of contact regarding all applications and services of Linux and UNIX.

  • Technical Support, 6%

    Provided installation and technical support to internal customers at local and remote locations.

  • Database Management, 5%

    Travel Arrangements Software Production Order Processing Corporate Event Planning Calendar Management Purchasing/Inventory Database Management Shipping General Facilities

  • CRM, 5%

    Provided management with metrics and statistical analysis from CRM.

Common skills that a software administrator uses to do their job include "sql," "troubleshoot," and "linux." You can find details on the most important software administrator responsibilities below.

Analytical skills. The most essential soft skill for a software 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 software administrator resume shows how their duties depend on analytical skills: "administered software update tracking database. "

Communication skills. Another essential skill to perform software administrator duties is communication skills. Software administrators responsibilities require that "administrators must describe problems and their solutions to non-it workers." Software administrators also use communication skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "worked closely with the necessary departments while resolving server communication issues from network, firewall, dns, and i/p configuration. "

Problem-solving skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of software administrators is problem-solving skills. This skill is critical to many everyday software administrator duties, as "administrators must quickly resolve problems that arise with computer networks." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "worked closely with second level support to ensure user issues were resolved. "

All software administrator skills

Compare different software administrators

Software 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.

The annual salary of information technology administrators is $21,375 lower than the average salary of software administrators.While their salaries may differ, the common ground between software administrators and information technology administrators are a few of the skills required in each roleacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities. In both careers, employee duties involve skills like troubleshoot, linux, and technical support.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, software administrator responsibilities require skills like "sql," "database management," "crm," and "software updates." Meanwhile a typical information technology administrator has skills in areas such as "customer service," "database," "vmware," and "windows server." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

Information technology administrators earn the highest salaries when working in the finance industry, with an average yearly salary of $93,678. On the other hand, software administrators are paid more in the hospitality industry with an average salary of $107,332.information technology administrators tend to reach similar levels of education than software administrators. In fact, information technology administrators are 2.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.4% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Software administrator vs. Software trainer

Software Trainers are training specialists who teach computer programs and applications like desktop publishing programs, computer network systems software, and spreadsheets. They effectively explain the technical complexities of computer software. They plan, prepare, and research lessons for the trainees. They also check and assess the work of the students and give them feedback.

A career as a software trainer brings a lower average salary when compared to the average annual salary of a software administrator. In fact, software trainers salary is $25,923 lower than the salary of software administrators per year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Software administrators and software trainers both require similar skills like "troubleshoot," "software applications," and "customer support" 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 software administrator responsibilities requires skills like "sql," "linux," "technical support," and "database management." But a software trainer might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "software training," "training classes," "emr," and "training sessions."

Software trainers may earn a lower salary than software administrators, but software trainers earn the most pay in the utilities industry with an average salary of $80,929. On the other hand, software administrators receive higher pay in the hospitality industry, where they earn an average salary of $107,332.software trainers earn similar levels of education than software administrators in general. They're 2.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.4% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for software 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.

Software administrator vs. Assistant systems administrator

Assistant systems administrators are responsible for supporting a team with their day-to-day operations of a company's computer systems and networks. They perform varied tasks, including monitoring, maintaining, and testing internet performance, ensuring the availability of computer networks for all users, and troubleshooting system failures and computer hardware and software issues. Assistant systems administrators may conduct training and support other network users within the organization. Additional tasks also include monitoring and evaluating the efficiency of operations and preparing systems and software documentation.

On average scale, assistant systems administrators bring in lower salaries than software administrators. In fact, they earn a $53,793 lower salary per year.software administrators and assistant systems administrators both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "sql," "troubleshoot," and "linux," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a software administrator is likely to be skilled in "technical support," "database management," "crm," and "software applications," while a typical assistant systems administrator is skilled in "customer service," "patients," "payroll," and "bed facility."

Assistant systems administrators earn the highest salary when working in the health care industry, where they receive an average salary of $46,025. Comparatively, software administrators have the highest earning potential in the hospitality industry, with an average salary of $107,332.assistant systems administrators typically earn similar educational levels compared to software administrators. Specifically, they're 3.0% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 1.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Software administrator vs. Help desk administrator

Help desk administrator is responsible for handling activities related to system support for their company or organization. They are in charge of providing superb client experiences and working in resolving support issues in a professional and timely manner. One of their primary tasks includes providing login resets and passwords for end-users. In addition, they will also perform innovative systems and network repairs, as well as assist computer information responses as required. Moreover, they support complete equipment set-up, renewal, or termination of a user account, handle server, and domain account changes.

Help desk administrators tend to earn a lower pay than software administrators by an average of $44,772 per year.While their salaries may vary, software administrators and help desk administrators both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "sql," "troubleshoot," and "linux. "

Even though a few skill sets overlap between software administrators and help desk administrators, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a software administrator might have more use for skills like "database management," "crm," "software updates," and "configuration management." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of help desk administrators require skills like "customer service," "desk support," "phone calls," and "remote desktop. "

In general, help desk administrators earn the most working in the finance industry, with an average salary of $56,503. The highest-paying industry for a software administrator is the hospitality industry.help desk administrators reach lower levels of education compared to software administrators, in general. The difference is that they're 5.6% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of software 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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