Network and computer system administration careers are flourishing. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there will be 6% job growth for network administrators and computer system administrators by 2026. Even though their job descriptions look similar, there are key differences. This includes certification paths and daily responsibilities. Knowing these differences will help to make the right career decision. Below is a brief overview of the differences between the two roles and their respective career paths.
Job outlook
According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2026, network and computer systems administrators are expected to increase 20 percent. Computer system administrators could be needed more because of the growing popularity of cloud services. The increasing use of mobile devices in businesses may also raise the need for network administrators. This position has a positive outlook, however, the best candidates will hold a bachelor's level in computer system and networks administration, computer science or a related field. Furthermore, network administrators need to be up-to-date in technology.
Computer systems and networks are constantly changing, and administrators need to stay up-to-date with the latest technological developments. Some employers prefer candidates with certifications over a bachelor's. There are many certifications available for these positions, such as Novell Certified Network Administrator or Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer. CompTIA’s A+ and Network+ certifications, as well as Sun’s Certified Network administrator can all be obtained.
Salary
An administrator of Network & Computer systems can earn between $56,222 and $111,613 per annum. The median salary of a Network & Computer systems administrator is $68,448. The middle 50% earns $64,548-$67,932. The top 83% make more than $111,613 a year. That means the average Network & Computer systems administrator makes approximately $64,326 per year. This income is equivalent to $2,680 per paycheck for someone in the middle tax bracket.
In 2014, there were approximately 67,500 network and computer systems administrators employed nationwide. This is more than the national average. California has the highest number at 39,050 network administrators. Maryland had the lowest number of network administrator jobs, but it has the highest salaries. The national average salary for Network System Administrators is $88,410, while Texas network administrators earn $35,830.
Education requirements
The minimum education requirements for network or computer system administrators is a bachelor's in information science, computer science or a related field. However, a certificate, associate's degree, or even professional certification may also be required for certain positions. Computer systems administrators may also need to pass manufacturer certification programs. Computer systems administrators must have a bachelor's degree. Many employers also require specialized skills.
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 also must be able to multitask, as many tasks require them to do several things at once. A network administrator or computer system administrator must be able solve and troubleshoot issues that arise from various software and hardware. For the profession to be competitive and grow, it is important to have education.
Chances for advancement
System administrators are in great demand. They are responsible for maintaining company servers and dealing with crashes. They have good career security and a high pay. This fast-paced job often provides opportunities for advancement. Here are some of the many benefits that system administrators can enjoy. Let's take a look below at some of these top perks. It can be very rewarding to work as a network administrator or computer system administrator. This list contains reasons you should consider becoming a system administrator.
Similar education requirements apply to network administrators and computer system administrators. Bachelor's degrees are typically required for this position. Candidate can also specialize on cybersecurity, database administration, and programming. It is not necessary to hold a specific degree, but it is helpful to have knowledge about computer programming and understanding cause-and-effect sequences. System administrators must have the ability to anticipate customer requirements and evaluate system behavior under different circumstances.
FAQ
What should I look for when choosing a cyber security course?
There are plenty of different types of cyber security courses available, ranging from short courses to full-time programs. Here are some things to consider when choosing the right one. These are some ideas to consider:
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Which level of certification do you want? Some courses give certificates upon successful completion. Others award diplomas or degrees. While certificates can be more difficult to obtain, degrees and diplomas are generally more desirable.
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How many weeks/months would you need to complete the course. Courses typically last 6-12 weeks. Some courses may take longer.
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Do you prefer face to face interaction or distance education? Face-to-face courses are great for getting to know other students, but they can be expensive. Distance learning allows you the freedom to work at your pace and avoids travel costs.
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Do you want to make a career shift or refresh your skills? If you are a career changer and already have a job in a related field, it may be sufficient to take a short course to update your knowledge and gain new skills. Some people may just need a refresher to prepare for a new job.
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Is it accredited? Accreditation assures that a course's reliability and credibility. Accreditation guarantees that your money will not be wasted on courses that do not deliver the results you expected.
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Do the internships or placements part of the course? Internships let you apply the knowledge you've gained during class and give you real-world experience working alongside IT professionals. Placements are a great way to gain hands-on experience and work with experienced cybersecurity professionals.
How can you prepare for your certification exams?
There are many options for how to prepare. There are many ways to prepare. One is to thoroughly study the syllabus before taking the exam. You can also read the entire exam guidebook before you sit the exam. A few questions can be attempted to assess your understanding of the material. Another option is to join a local community college, where you can interact and learn from students who have previously taken the same certification exam.
Numerous websites offer free exam prep materials. An electronic version of the exam book can be purchased, but only one copy is available. It is recommended that you keep this copy safe (a CD/DVD drives are ideal).
Keep in mind that some companies offer their own self-study guides. These usually cost between $100 and $400. They often come with additional features, such as flashcards or quizzes. Many of these products also allow you online exams.
What are the top IT programs?
Passion is the key ingredient to your success in technology. It is important to love what your do. If not, don't worry because this industry requires constant hard work and dedication. It requires adaptability and the ability to learn quickly. Schools need to prepare their students for such rapid changes. They must help students think critically and use their creativity. These skills will prove to be an asset when they are ready to enter the workforce.
Experience is the second most important aspect to learning technology. Most people who want to pursue a career in tech start doing it right after graduation. You will need to have years of experience before you can be proficient in this field. There are many ways you can gain experience: internships, volunteering, part-time jobs, etc.
Practical, hands-on training is what you need. This is the best way to learn. You can also take classes at community college if you don't have the opportunity to do a full-time internship. Many universities offer free classes as part of their Continuing Ed programs.
How does cybersecurity differ from other fields?
Cybersecurity is a completely different area of IT than other areas that may have had to deal with similar challenges. Most businesses deal with databases and servers. It is possible that you have worked on projects that involved website design.
These types of projects don't typically fall under the cybersecurity umbrella. Although you could still use the principles of web development for solving problems, it would likely require more than one person.
It is important to study cybersecurity. This means learning how to analyze a problem and determine whether it is due to a vulnerability or something else entirely. This will include understanding the basics and principles of encryption and cryptography. You will also need to be able to code well.
It is necessary to study cybersecurity in conjunction with your main subject to become a cybersecurity specialist. However, your main subject shouldn't be forgotten either - you need to continue to work hard on that too!
As well as being able to handle lots of complex information, you'll need to understand how to communicate effectively. You will need to have strong communication skills both verbally, and written.
You should also be familiar with industry standards and best practices in your chosen career field. These standards and best practices are important to ensure you don't fall behind but move forward.
Which are the top IT courses?
What you are looking for in an online learning environment will determine the best course. You can take my CS Degree Online program if you are looking for a complete overview in computer science fundamentals. It will give you all the information you need to pass Comp Sci 101 in any university. Web Design For Dummies is a great resource for learning how to create websites. Mobile App Development For Dummies explains how mobile apps actually work.
Statistics
- 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 top five countries providing the most IT professionals are the United States, India, Canada, Saudi Arabia, and the UK (itnews.co.uk).
- 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 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).
- Employment in computer and information technology occupations is projected to grow 11% from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. These occupations are projected to add about 531,200 new jobs, with companies looking to fill their ranks with specialists in cloud computing, collating and management of business information, and cybersecurity (bls.gov).
- The top five companies hiring the most IT professionals are Amazon, Google, IBM, Intel, and Facebook (itnews.co).
External Links
How To
Can I learn information technology skills online by myself?
It doesn't matter if you have no experience, just learn the basics. Most people who want to become techies do not actually know anything at all, they just assume they'll pick it up as they go along. It is much more beneficial to start with material that assumes minimal knowledge and work your way up.
By doing this, you learn by doing and not reading. This helps you be more focused on what you want, rather than on unnecessary details.
You may be unable to complete your first course because you are getting too detailed. Do not worry about it. Keep going until you've finished the course and then move on to another one.
Remember that practice is the best way learn. This means that you need to practice until you get it right. It's impossible to focus on other aspects if you spend hours perfecting one aspect of a program. Explore different programs and find out which one you like best.
It is important to practice using software in real-world tasks such as filing, data entry, and filing. You should always use real-world examples is that these allow you to apply everything you're learning. They can also help you understand how you are doing it and why.
If you have the funds, purchase a good book. Many books will be written especially for beginners. You'll have all the background information you need without having to go through unnecessary details.
Setting goals can help you learn if it's something you're trying to do. You'll feel more motivated to keep going by setting small achievable goals. Once you reach your targets, you'll feel satisfied and proud.
Remember, you're never too old to learn new things. Keep trying and you will eventually succeed.