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Network and Computer Systems Administrators

What They Do:

  • 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 (2021)

Sample Job Titles:

  1. Information Analyst
  2. Information Systems Manager (IS Manager)
  3. Information Technology Specialist (IT Specialist)
  4. LAN Specialist (Local Area Network Specialist)
  5. Network Administrator

Source: O*NET (2021)

Outlook in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD MSA (Metropolitan Statistical Area)

Employment (Q1 2021) 5,675
Projected Annual Growth 0.2%
Average Entry Level Salary $72,700
Median Salary $111,100

Source: Burning Glass Technologies’ Labor Insight™ Real-time Labor Market Information tool. Analysis conducted in October 2021 by Greater Washington Partnership. Data above represents job postings from the past 12 months (January 2020 - December 2020).

Supply-Demand Snapshot: Network and Computer Systems Administrators (all levels)
Entry Level Job Ads
4,052
Current Workforce
5,675

Source: Burning Glass Technologies’ Labor Insight™ Real-time Labor Market Information tool. Analysis conducted in October 2021 by Greater Washington Partnership. Data above represents job postings from the past 12 months (January 2020 - December 2020).

Preferred Certifications

(requested in at least 10% of entry level jobs requiring up through a bachelor’s degree)

  • Security Clearance (23%)
  • CompTIA Security+ (19%)

Top 10 Skills Requested

(entry level jobs requiring up through a bachelor’s degree)

  • System Administration
  • Linux
  • VMware
  • Hardware and Software Installation
  • UNIX
  • Microsoft Active Directory
  • System/Network Configuration
  • Help Desk Support
  • Hardware and Software Configuration
  • Information Systems

Source: Greater Washington Partnership Analysis of Burning Glass data, Q1 2021

Outlook in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV MSA MSA (Metropolitan Statistical Area)

Employment (Q1 2021) 14,786
Projected Annual Growth 0.8%
Average Entry Level Salary $64,400
Median Salary $99,300

Source: Burning Glass Technologies’ Labor Insight™ Real-time Labor Market Information tool. Analysis conducted in October 2021 by Greater Washington Partnership. Data above represents job postings from the past 12 months (January 2020 - December 2020).

Supply-Demand Snapshot: Network and Computer Systems Administrators (all levels)
Entry Level Job Ads
12,857
Current Workforce
14,786

Source: Burning Glass Technologies’ Labor Insight™ Real-time Labor Market Information tool. Analysis conducted in October 2021 by Greater Washington Partnership. Data above represents job postings from the past 12 months (January 2020 - December 2020).

Preferred Certifications

(requested in at least 10% of entry level jobs requiring up through a bachelor’s degree)

  • Security Clearance (36%)
  • CompTIA Security+ (25%)
  • Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) (13%)

Top 10 Skills Requested

(entry level jobs requiring up through a bachelor’s degree)

  • System Administration
  • Linux
  • Microsoft Active Directory
  • VMware
  • Windows Server
  • Technical Support
  • Hardware and Software Installation
  • Hardware and Software Configuration
  • Domain Name System (DNS)
  • Microsoft PowerShell

Source: Greater Washington Partnership Analysis of Burning Glass data, Q1 2021

Outlook in the Richmond, VA MSA MSA (Metropolitan Statistical Area)

Employment (Q1 2021) 2,029
Projected Annual Growth 0.3%
Average Entry Level Salary $59,300
Median Salary $89,100

Source: Burning Glass Technologies’ Labor Insight™ Real-time Labor Market Information tool. Analysis conducted in October 2021 by Greater Washington Partnership. Data above represents job postings from the past 12 months (January 2020 - December 2020).

Supply-Demand Snapshot: Network and Computer Systems Administrators (all levels)
Entry Level Job Ads
902
Current Workforce
2,029

Source: Burning Glass Technologies’ Labor Insight™ Real-time Labor Market Information tool. Analysis conducted in October 2021 by Greater Washington Partnership. Data above represents job postings from the past 12 months (January 2020 - December 2020).

Preferred Certifications

(requested in at least 10% of entry level jobs requiring up through a bachelor’s degree)

  • Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) (12%)
  • IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL) Certification (11%)

Top 10 Skills Requested

(entry level jobs requiring up through a bachelor’s degree)

  • System Administration
  • VMware
  • SQL
  • Linux
  • Domain Name System (DNS)
  • Microsoft Active Directory
  • Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)
  • Cisco
  • Project Management
  • Disaster Recovery Planning

Source: Greater Washington Partnership Analysis of Burning Glass data, Q1 2021

Largest Employers in Capital Region:

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