What does a windows system administrator do?
A Windows System Administrator maintains the systems and servers of a Windows operating system. They evaluate and modify the system's performance.
Windows system administrator responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real windows system administrator resumes:
- Manage and configure VPN connections for the users.
- Deploy and manage Panasonic PBX and VOIP phone systems and network connectivity.
- Manage exchange stores, mailbox provisioning, active sync and monitoring the mailboxes.
- Manage data usage, space, security and archival over servers, workstations and NAS machines.
- Manage issues with server hardware, networking, web services, database, DNS, clustering, and e-mail.
- Manage all OU's under domain at multiple sites across the country through a constant VPN tunnel per client rules.
- Work on SAN (NetApp) for building cluster environment that provides live migration of virtual machines without downtime during outages.
- Improve disaster recovery response time by installing and configuring server hardware for SAN connectivity.
- Experience in designing and implementing virtualization infrastructure to support VDI and troubleshooting problems within VDI environment.
- Install VMware tools and upgrade the virtual hardware.
- Diagnose VMware platform issues in complex, business-critical environments.
- Work with cutting edge cloud technologies to include AWS, and Microsoft azure.
- Render LAN/WAN, TCP/IP and wireless support to end users on a variety of issues.
- Monitor IP pools through the use of DHCP and assign new builds/users to appropriate pool leases.
- Plan and migrate servers, relational databases (SQL) and websites to Microsoft azure cloud.
Windows system administrator skills and personality traits
We calculated that 9% of Windows System Administrators are proficient in Windows Server, Infrastructure, and PowerShell. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Problem-solving skills.
We break down the percentage of Windows System Administrators that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Windows Server, 9%
Implemented performance monitoring testing on Microsoft Windows servers after receiving alerts for high CPU / memory utilization during early morning hours.
- Infrastructure, 7%
Instituted the development of new process and standards around production Disaster recovery design to prevent one off infrastructure and application designs.
- PowerShell, 7%
Administered their multiple domain Active Directory environment including bulk creation of user and computer accounts using PowerShell.
- Troubleshoot, 6%
Monitor and troubleshoot server status and alerts utilizing Hewlett Packard System Insight Manager and System Center Operations Manager.
- Linux, 5%
Provided systems administration and network management for the Occupation center's micro-computer environments, which included Red Hat Linux server.
- SCCM, 4%
Created SCCM reports and fine-tuned software/hardware inventory to get customized reports for various audit purposes.
"windows server," "infrastructure," and "powershell" are among the most common skills that windows system administrators use at work. You can find even more windows system administrator responsibilities below, including:
Analytical skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a windows system administrator 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." Windows system administrators often use analytical skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "restricted server and desktop access using group policy, protecting confidential data and complying with federal regulation. "
Communication skills. Another essential skill to perform windows system administrator duties is communication skills. Windows system administrators responsibilities require that "administrators must describe problems and their solutions to non-it workers." Windows system administrators also use communication skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "group policy deployment and management in 2008 r2/lync unified communication environment. "
Problem-solving skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of windows system administrators is problem-solving skills. This skill is critical to many everyday windows system administrator duties, as "administrators must quickly resolve problems that arise with computer networks." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "experience with citrix xenapp 6.5 administration * verified and resolved group policy problems; imported and exported gpo settings. "
The three companies that hire the most windows system administrators are:
- Meta112 windows system administrators jobs
- MassMutual53 windows system administrators jobs
- Northrop Grumman43 windows system administrators jobs
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Compare different windows system administrators
Windows system 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.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a windows system administrator are more likely to require skills like "infrastructure," "powershell," "group policy," and "vsphere." On the other hand, a job as an information technology administrator requires skills like "customer service," "vmware," "computer system," and "excellent interpersonal." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Information technology administrators really shine in the finance industry with an average salary of $93,678. Comparatively, windows system administrators tend to make the most money in the finance industry with an average salary of $93,089.On average, information technology administrators reach similar levels of education than windows system administrators. Information technology administrators are 2.4% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.3% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Windows system 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.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, windows system administrator responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "infrastructure," "powershell," "san," and "group policy." Meanwhile, a help desk administrator has duties that require skills in areas such as "customer service," "desk support," "phone calls," and "computer system." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
On average, help desk administrators earn a lower salary than windows system administrators. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, help desk administrators earn the most pay in the finance industry with an average salary of $56,503. Whereas windows system administrators have higher pay in the finance industry, with an average salary of $93,089.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Help desk administrators tend to reach lower levels of education than windows system administrators. In fact, they're 5.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Windows system administrator vs. Network/server administrator
A Network Administrator ensures an organizations' network is operational and up to date. They solve problems that arise within computer networks, maintaining computer networks, interacting with clients, and consulting with them to determine their system requirements.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a windows system administrator is likely to be skilled in "infrastructure," "group policy," "system administration," and "database," while a typical network/server administrator is skilled in "customer service," "server administration," "server hardware," and "citrix."
Network/server administrators earn the highest salary when working in the manufacturing industry, where they receive an average salary of $84,609. Comparatively, windows system administrators have the highest earning potential in the finance industry, with an average salary of $93,089.network/server administrators typically earn similar educational levels compared to windows system administrators. Specifically, they're 4.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Windows system administrator vs. Senior network administrator
Senior Network Administrators provide system and network solutions for their organizations. They supervise the functioning of networking equipment and follow strict maintenance standards.
Types of windows system administrator
Updated January 8, 2025
