
With the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicting a 6% increase in jobs for network and system administrators by 2026, careers in these areas are growing. Although their job descriptions are similar, there are important differences ranging from certification paths to daily responsibilities. These differences will assist you in making the right career choice. Below is a brief overview about the differences between these two roles and the career paths they lead.
Perspectives on the job
According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2026, network and computer systems administrators are expected to increase 20 percent. Cloud services may increase the demand for computer systems administrators. This is not the only reason why network administrators are in high demand. The job outlook for this role is positive, but the best candidates will need a bachelor's degree either in computer network and system administration, computer science, computer science, or another related field. In order to keep up-to date with technology, network administrators must be well-informed.
Computer systems and networks are constantly changing, and administrators need to stay up-to-date with the latest technological developments. In addition to a bachelor's degree, some employers prefer candidates with specific certifications. This includes Novell Certified Network Administrator and Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer. CompTIA's Network+, Sun's Certified Administrator and CompTIA's Network+ certifications are also options.
Salary
An administrator of Network & Computer systems can earn between $56,222 and $111,613 per annum. The median annual salary is $68,448. But the middle half earns $64,548 and $67.932. The top 83% earn more that $111,613 per year. That's an average salary of $64,326 per a Network & Computer systems administrator. This income is equivalent to $2,680 per paycheck for someone in the middle tax bracket.
2014 saw the national employment of approximately 67.500 network and computer system administrators. This is more than the national median, with California having the highest number, 39,050 network managers. Maryland has the highest salary, but the state was least likely to have an administrator job market. The national average salary for Network System Administrators is $88,410, while Texas network administrators earn $35,830.
Education requirements

Computer system administrators typically require a bachelor's or higher degree in information science, computer technology, or another related subject. For certain positions, however, you may need a professional certification, certificate, associate's or bachelor's degree. Computer systems administrators will often be required to obtain certification from the manufacturer. Employers often require computer system administrators to have more than a bachelor's in order to be considered for a job.
Administrators of network and computer systems must have technical knowledge, but they also need to be able talk to people who are unfamiliar with the details of computer networks. They should also be able do multiple tasks simultaneously, since many tasks call for them to be multitasking. In addition, network and computer system administrators must be able to quickly troubleshoot and solve problems arising from various hardware and software. Education is essential for this profession to grow and remain competitive.
There are many career opportunities
System administrators are in great demand. They are responsible for maintaining company servers and dealing with crashes. They can expect good pay and security in their careers. You can also expect advancement opportunities in this fast-paced career. Listed below are the benefits of working as a system administrator. Let's examine some of the most important perks. The career of a network or computer administrator can be rewarding and fulfilling. This list contains reasons you should consider becoming a system administrator.

The education requirements for network and computer system administrators are similar. This job typically requires a bachelor's degree. You can also choose to specialize in programming, database administration, cybersecurity, or both. While no specific degree is required, it's helpful to have some computer programming knowledge, and an understanding of cause-and-effect sequences. System administrators should be able predict customer needs and evaluate system behavior in different situations.
FAQ
What jobs are available within information technology?
The most common career choices for people who want to enter IT-related careers include software developer, database administrator, network engineer, systems analyst, web designer/developer, help desk support technician, computer technician, etc. However, there are many other careers related to Information Technology (IT), such as data entry clerk, sales representative, receptionist, customer service specialist, programmer, technical writer, graphic artist, office manager, project manager, etc.
After graduation, the majority of people start work in the industry. While you're studying for your degree, a job opportunity may be available to you. A formal apprenticeship scheme is another option. This gives you hands-on experience and allows for supervision during work placements.
Information Technology offers many opportunities, as we have already mentioned. Although not every position requires a bachelor's degree, many require a postgraduate qualification. For example, a master's degree (MSc) in Computer Science or Software Engineering (SSE) gives a person better qualifications than a bachelor's degree.
Some employers prefer a candidate who has previous experience. Ask someone you know who has applied for IT positions. You can also check online job boards to find vacancies. You can search by location and industry, as well as the type of job, required skills, and salary range.
Try using sites like Monster.com, Simply Hired.com or Career Builder to help you find work. Consider joining professional associations such as the American Society for Training & Development, the Association for Computing Machinery, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, etc.
Does cybersecurity require a lot math?
It's an important aspect of our business, so we don't expect it to go away any time soon. We must keep up with technology and ensure we do everything we can to defend ourselves against cyber-attacks.
That means finding ways to make sure that the systems we use every single day are secure without worrying too much about the technical details.
We also need to do this whilst keeping our costs under control. We are always looking for new ways to manage these issues.
We can miss out opportunities, make revenue mistakes, cause harm to our customers and even risk people's lives if it goes wrong. This is why it's important to make sure we are spending our time wisely.
When there are many other areas to focus on, it is important not to go over every aspect of cybersecurity.
Because of this, we have a dedicated team who focuses exclusively on this topic. They are known as "cybersecurity experts" because they have a deep understanding of what is required and how to implement these changes.
What career is the best in IT?
The best career for you depends on how much money, job security, flexibility, etc., are important to you.
An information technology consultant can help you move around the world while still earning well. Entry-level employees will likely need at minimum two years of work experience. You will also need to pass CompTIA A+ or its equivalent and Cisco Networking Academy exams.
A developer can also be a career option. This job might not be available if you are just starting in Information Technology. However, if you put in the effort, you can reach it.
You may also want to consider becoming a web designer. This is another popular career option. Many people believe they could learn how to make it online. Web design requires practice and training. It can take months to master all aspects of web page creation.
The second reason most people choose this job is because of the high level of job security. It's not necessary to worry about losing your job if the company closes down a branch.
What are the downsides of this? Strong computer skills are a must. Second, expect to work long hours for low pay. You may find yourself doing work that you don't like.
What makes cybersecurity different from other areas?
Cybersecurity is different from other IT areas where you may have faced similar issues. For example, you deal with databases and servers in most businesses. It is possible that you have worked on projects that involved website design.
These projects are not usually considered cybersecurity-based. While you could still use some principles of web development to solve problems, this would likely involve multiple people.
This is why cybersecurity should be a focus. This will include learning how to analyze and determine if a problem is due to vulnerability, or something entirely different. It will also mean understanding the basics of cryptography and encryption. Finally, you will need to have excellent coding skills.
It is necessary to study cybersecurity in conjunction with your main subject to become a cybersecurity specialist. You should not forget your core subject, but you must continue to study it!
Not only will you need to be able handle complex information but you also need to know how to communicate effectively. You will also need to possess strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
Finally, you should know the industry standards and best practices within your chosen career path. These are essential to ensuring that you are always moving forward rather than falling behind.
What are the Basics of Learning Information Technology Technology?
The basics you need to learn are how to use Microsoft Office apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) as well as using Google Apps for business such as Gmail, Drive, Sheets, etc. It is also important to learn how to set up basic WordPress websites and how to create social media pages for Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
You must have basic knowledge of HTML, CSS, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Dreamweaver, JQuery/Javascript, and other web-based programming languages and tools. You must also know how to code, and be interested in learning new technologies.
You should be able to understand Objective C, Swift, Java, Objective D, Swift, Android Studio and Git if you are interested mobile app development. In the same way, if your goal is to become a UI/UX Designer you will need Adobe Creative Suite or Sketch.
These topics are great if you already know them! This will increase your chances of being hired. Don't be discouraged if you don't have a lot of knowledge. To update your knowledge, you can always go to school.
Remember that technology is constantly changing. Stay up-to date with all the latest news, trends, and information in this ever-changing environment.
Statistics
- The global IoT market is expected to reach a value of USD 1,386.06 billion by 2026 from USD 761.4 billion in 2020 at a CAGR of 10.53% during the period 2021-2026 (globenewswire.com).
- The United States has the largest share of the global IT industry, accounting for 42.3% in 2020, followed by Europe (27.9%), Asia Pacific excluding Japan (APJ; 21.6%), Latin America (1.7%), and Middle East & Africa (MEA; 1.0%) (comptia.co).
- The median annual salary of computer and information technology jobs in the US is $88,240, well above the national average of $39,810 (bls.gov).
- The IT occupation with the highest annual median salary is that of computer and information research scientists at $122,840, followed by computer network architects ($112,690), software developers ($107,510), information security analysts ($99,730), and database administrators ($93,750) (bls.gov).
- The top five regions contributing to the growth of IT professionals are North America, Western Europe, APJ, MEA, and Central/Eastern Europe (cee.com).
- The top five countries contributing to the growth of the global IT industry are China, India, Japan, South Korea, and Germany (comptia.com).
External Links
How To
Is it possible to learn online information technology skills?
You don't need to have any experience - just take courses on how to learn the basics. Most people who desire to be techies don’t have any knowledge. They just assume they will pick it up over time. It's better to start small with courses that assume little knowledge, and build up from there.
This way, you're learning by doing rather than by reading. This allows you to focus on the things you want and not on details.
You may be unable to complete your first course because you are getting too detailed. Don't be discouraged. Keep going until you've finished the course and then move on to another one.
Another important thing to remember when learning is to practice. It means you have to do things over and over until you master them. If you spend hours perfecting a single part of a program you will find it difficult to concentrate on the rest. Explore different programs and find out which one you like best.
Practice using software for real tasks. Real-world examples are a great way to learn. These examples can help you understand what you are doing and why.
If you have the money, invest in a few good books. Many books are specifically written for beginners. This will ensure that you get all the information you need, without having to read through unnecessary details.
You might find it useful to set goals for yourself if you are learning something new. For example, "by the end the year, I will have completed" a task. Set small, achievable goals to motivate yourself. If you accomplish those targets, it will make you feel proud and fulfilled.
Don't forget, you don't need to be old to learn. If you persevere, you'll succeed.