System Administrator Educational Requirements & Certification

Server or system administrator maintain the computer's network system in an office environment by monitoring server activity, updating software, maintaining computer hardware, solving technical problems, and improving efficiency by evaluating network functions of the system. Much of the work is done during normal business hours. With new system updates or server fixes, it is sometimes necessary to complete the job at odd hours at night or on the weekends. This is when traffic to a website or office activity is minimal and therefore has less impact on the business.

Job prospects

According to the US Department of Labor Statistics, job opportunities for network and IT systems administrators are expected to grow on average by 2028 by average. Options are best for those with a combination of training, work experience and professional certifications. In May 2018, BLS reported that workers in the 90th percentile or higher earned $ 130,720 or more per year, while the bottom 10th percentile earned $ 50,990 or less per year.

Educational requirements

Most employers are looking for system administrators who have a combination of training and experience. Those who have made their way from a lower position and have received professional certification are eligible for certain positions. However, it is becoming more common for employers to seek candidates with an associated diploma or higher and professional certification. Many universities in the community offer associated degrees in a related field, such as computer science or computer science. Lessons can include programming languages, scripts, network structures and information security.

Certification

Many system administrator receive professional certification, which gives them an edge over other job seekers. The most important IT certification exams are conducted by Microsoft, Cisco, CompTIA and Redhat. Most of these tests test the applicant's ability to manage UNIX or Windows servers, including knowledge of RAID (redundant array of independent disks), system recovery, command-line tools, and troubleshooting related to failed networks .

Server administrators typically require at least an associate's degree in a related field. It may be necessary to obtain specific certification for the software or system they manage. The average annual salary for these positions is around $ 82,000.