Maintain and administer computer networks and related computing environments including computer hardware, systems software, applications software, and all configurations.
Perform data backups and disaster recovery operations.
Diagnose, troubleshoot, and resolve hardware, software, or other network and system problems, and replace defective components when necessary.
Configure, monitor, and maintain email applications or virus protection software.
Operate master consoles to monitor the performance of computer systems and networks, and to coordinate computer network access and use.
Source: O*NET (2023)
Sample Job Titles:
Systems Administrators
Linux System Administrators
Network Administrators
SharePoint Administrators
Windows Administrators
Source: O*NET 2023
Outlook in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD MSA (Metropolitan Statistical Area)
Employment (Q1 2023) 4,139
Projected Annual Growth 0.6%
Average Entry Level Salary $62,625
Median Salary $105,447
Source: Lightcast. Datarun 2023.4
Supply-Demand Snapshot: Network and Computer Systems Administrators (all levels)
Entry Level Job Ads
1,883
Current Workforce
4,139
Source: Lightcast. Datarun 2023.4
Preferred Certifications
(Entry level jobs requiring a high school diploma, Associate’s degree, and Bachelor's degree)
Top Secret-Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI Clearance) 316
Clearance
CompTIA Security+
Secret Clearance
IAT Level II Certification
CompTIA Security+ CE
CompTIA A+
Certified Information Systems Security Professional
Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA)
CompTIA Network+
Top 10 Skills Requested
(entry level jobs requiring up through a bachelor’s degree)
Operating Systems
System Administration
Linux
Computer Science
Scripting
Unix
Active Directory
Help Desk Support
Windows Servers
Windows PowerShell
Source: Lightcast. Datarun 2023.4
Outlook in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV MSA MSA (Metropolitan Statistical Area)
Employment (Q1 2023) 14,008
Projected Annual Growth .1%
Average Entry Level Salary $69,766
Median Salary $114,362
Source: Lightcast. Datarun 2023.4
Supply-Demand Snapshot: Network and Computer Systems Administrators (all levels)
Entry Level Job Ads
6,439
Current Workforce
14,008
Source: Lightcast. Datarun 2023.4
Preferred Certifications
(Entry level jobs requiring a high school diploma, Associate’s degree, and Bachelor's degree)
Top Secret-Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI Clearance)
Security Clearance
Secret Clearance
CompTIA Security+
IAT Level II Certification
CompTIA Security+ CE
Top Secret Clearance
Systems Security Certified Practitioner
GIAC Certifications
Cisco Certified Network Associate
Top 10 Skills Requested
(entry level jobs requiring up through a bachelor’s degree)
Computer Science
Operating Systems
System Administration
Linux
Active Directory
Windows Servers
Scripting
Automation
Amazon Web Services
Backup Devices
Source: Lightcast™ accessed August 10, 2022
Outlook in the Richmond, VA MSA MSA (Metropolitan Statistical Area)
Employment (Q1 2023) 1,855
Projected Annual Growth 0.3%
Average Entry Level Salary $57,576
Median Salary $95,297
Source: Lightcast. Datarun 2023.4
Supply-Demand Snapshot: Network and Computer Systems Administrators (all levels)
Entry Level Job Ads
796
Current Workforce
1,855
Source: Lightcast. Datarun 2023.4
Preferred Certifications
(Entry level jobs requiring a high school diploma, Associate’s degree, and Bachelor's degree)
Top Secret-Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI Clearance)
Security Clearance
Secret Clearance
CompTIA Security+
IAT Level II Certification
CompTIA Security+ CE
Top Secret Clearance
Systems Security Certified Practitioner
GIAC Certifications
Cisco Certified Network Associate
Top 10 Skills Requested
(entry level jobs requiring up through a bachelor’s degree)
