What does a systems administration analyst do?
Systems administration analysts are executives who set up and maintain the networks related to a computer system. The administrator analysts take responsibility for maintaining, configuring, and operating computer systems. They determine any possible problems in the system, repair systems, and anticipate probable issues through hardware and software configuration. It is their job to manage and maintain file servers. Among the necessary skills for this job include technical thinking, good communication, attention to detail, and enthusiasm.
Systems administration analyst responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real systems administration analyst resumes:
- Manage and maintain SCCM and WSUS environment with multiple remote replication sites.
- Utilize VMware, VPN, and VNC to manage company's virtual servers.
- Manage WSUS and DHCP tools from a virtual server locate in a vSphere cluster.
- Manage VMware infrastructure including server deployments, creation of server and desktop templates, performance load balancing.
- Manage UNIX base servers in a large corporate data center along with remotely locate servers throughout the U.S.
- Manage network and system security, network permissions, PC software and hardware tracking, troubleshooting and relocation of office equipment.
- Supervise the configuring and troubleshooting of TCP/IP, DNS and DHCP to include smart switches and routers.
- Maintain computer systems of WinNT, Linux and WinXP.
- Patch servers and workstations per DOD standards on a weekly basis.
- Create SQL scripts and/or Linux shell scripts for a specific purpose (select/update/insert/delete data).
- Perform system maintenance and upgrades for both software and hardware on multiple UNIX base systems.
- Possess a strong working knowledge of Internet networking technologies and principals including TCP/IP and DNS.
- Lead the team in troubleshooting all server issues, from OS level to application specific.
- Generate and analyze daily/weekly SCCM reports on patch compliance for both classify and unclassify networks.
- Assist in installation of network cabling and set up routers and hubs for new networking segments.
Systems administration analyst skills and personality traits
We calculated that 9% of Systems Administration Analysts are proficient in Customer Service, Database, and Troubleshoot. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Problem-solving skills.
We break down the percentage of Systems Administration Analysts that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Customer Service, 9%
Provided leadership and coached employees to become more developed ensuring excellent customer service.
- Database, 7%
Maintained database integrity and security which included troubleshooting all operating systems, networks, and all subsystems throughout the maintenance department.
- Troubleshoot, 6%
Administer Blackberry Server Administration user accounts and troubleshoot account configurations and access.
- System Administration, 5%
Perform system administration tasks which include data backup and file restores, Active Directory administration, hardware/software and network infrastructure support.
- Linux, 4%
Designed and implemented Linux desktop migration strategies for moving from Microsoft Windows environments.
- Technical Support, 4%
Helped incorporate a new security badge system, researched product availability, worked with vendors and provided technical support.
Common skills that a systems administration analyst uses to do their job include "customer service," "database," and "troubleshoot." You can find details on the most important systems administration analyst responsibilities below.
Analytical skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a systems administration analyst to have is analytical skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "administrators need to evaluate networks and systems to make sure that they perform reliably and to anticipate new requirements as customers’ needs change." Systems administration analysts often use analytical skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "managed and organized mandatory hardware & software maintenance upgrades and module customization enhancements associated with the erp system data integrity. "
Communication skills. Another essential skill to perform systems administration analyst duties is communication skills. Systems administration analysts responsibilities require that "administrators must describe problems and their solutions to non-it workers." Systems administration analysts also use communication skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "administered lan, pbx, and wan data communication and managed data processing projects. "
Problem-solving skills. This is an important skill for systems administration analysts to perform their duties. For an example of how systems administration analyst responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "administrators must quickly resolve problems that arise with computer networks." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a systems administration analyst: "managed the migration of an existing mainframe erp solution to oracle e-business suite 11i in a windows 2003 x64 environment. ".
The three companies that hire the most systems administration analysts are:
- Costco Wholesale1 systems administration analysts jobs
- IBM1 systems administration analysts jobs
- Lockheed Martin1 systems administration analysts jobs
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Compare different systems administration analysts
Systems administration analyst vs. Information systems specialist
An Information Systems Specialist is responsible for supporting and developing the database system of an organization. They are responsible for designing and implementing information systems, developing prototypes, and maintaining hardware and software operations. They build information security to protect the computer system against a threat. Information System Specialists must have good communication and analytical skills to adapt to different organizational needs.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, systems administration analyst responsibilities require skills like "database," "system administration," "switches," and "pl/sql." Meanwhile a typical information systems specialist has skills in areas such as "data analysis," "data entry," "strong analytical," and "software issues." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Information systems specialists tend to make the most money working in the manufacturing industry, where they earn an average salary of $75,326. In contrast, systems administration analysts make the biggest average salary, $69,086, in the hospitality industry.On average, information systems specialists reach similar levels of education than systems administration analysts. Information systems specialists are 1.1% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Systems administration analyst 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 systems administration analyst responsibilities requires skills like "database," "system administration," "management system," and "disaster recovery." But a systems support might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "provides technical support," "end user support," "system support," and "pc support."
Systems supports earn a lower average salary than systems administration analysts. But systems supports earn the highest pay in the professional industry, with an average salary of $72,760. Additionally, systems administration analysts earn the highest salaries in the hospitality with average pay of $69,086 annually.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Systems supports tend to reach similar levels of education than systems administration analysts. In fact, they're 2.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for systems administration analysts 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.
Systems administration analyst vs. Support analyst
The role of support analysts is to resolve problems with hardware, computer programs, and peripherals. They may focus on a particular aspect of the information technology (IT) department or give technical support to end-users. They mainly detect issues with IT equipment and software and devise solutions to resolve these issues. Also, they are responsible for answering queries from users, preparing service records, and handling escalations. Support analysts also support the company's IT operations and best practices by creating and distributing relevant IT documents.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a systems administration analyst is likely to be skilled in "database," "system administration," "pc," and "switches," while a typical support analyst is skilled in "application support," "patients," "issue resolution," and "excellent interpersonal."
Support analysts make a very good living in the finance industry with an average annual salary of $93,871. On the other hand, systems administration analysts are paid the highest salary in the hospitality industry, with average annual pay of $69,086.When it comes to education, support analysts tend to earn similar degree levels compared to systems administration analysts. In fact, they're 1.5% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.3% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Systems administration analyst vs. Information technology analyst
An information technology analyst is responsible for identifying business opportunities by creating and designing technology systems that would help business operations perform efficiently and accurately. Information technology analysts manage systems maintenance, upgrade and install updates for better optimization, and perform feature revisions and adjustments based on the end-user experience. They analyze client and business specifications and research a multiple system approach to generate technology solutions. An information technology analyst must have excellent analytical skills, as well as broad knowledge of the technology industry.
Types of systems administration analyst
Updated January 8, 2025
