what is a systems administrator?
Companies rely on their servers and systems to run various operations. Hence, it is critical to ensure minimal downtime and that the system continues to function efficiently. As a systems administrator, you ensure that the organization's servers and computer systems are operational and remain efficient. You also handle any technical issues that may arise.
Your main duty is maintaining your clients' networks, computer systems and servers. When a company is shopping around for computer systems, you evaluate their business needs and recommend systems and servers that meet their specific requirements. You install the new systems and upgrade data cloud infrastructure to ensure company operations don’t stall.
Systems administrators also support multi-user cloud computing environments. That means you help the company employees access the information they need from the cloud. To ascertain smooth operations of information technology (IT) services, you identify and fix network issues and cybersecurity threats. You also regularly test computer systems and identify areas of improvement.
To work as a systems administrator, you require technical skills since you take up responsibilities associated with maintaining the network infrastructure. You also require programming skills for software development and cloud computing experience to maintain the cloud structure.
Would working as a systems administrator suit your interest in computers? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in the role of a systems administrator.
systems administrator jobsaverage systems administrator salary
According to Job Bank, the average salary of a systems administrator is $112,837 per year, which equals an hourly rate of $57.87. In an entry-level position, you start with a lower annual salary of $76,747, while the most experienced workers earn up to $117,197 per year.
how to increase your salary as a systems administrator
Your salary depends on the types of systems you manage, your location and your experience. When you have minimal experience, you earn less than a systems administrator with several years of experience. Most junior systems administrators progress to senior positions as they improve their skills and gain expertise. Senior systems administrators earn higher salaries due to their valuable hands-on experience managing computer systems. Having supervisory duties boost your earnings.
Possessing industry certifications also improves your earning potential. For instance, a professional certification in cloud computing showcases your capabilities. Having formal educational qualifications, such as a degree in computer science, also boosts your salary expectations.
The province or territory you work in influences your earnings. Some regions in Canada have a higher salary compared to others. For instance, working in Quebec and Nova Scotia increases your salary expectations due to the high demand for systems administrators.
types of systems administrators
Systems administrators are classified into the following types:
- network administrators: as a network systems administrator, you are in charge of an organization's infrastructure. Your job is to determine the company's network requirements and install computer systems, routers and intranet systems. You also monitor the networks and schedule maintenance to minimize downtimes. When issues arise in the network, you troubleshoot and resolve them.
- security systems administrators: you ensure the security systems in the organization function properly. Sometimes, you install security systems and develop efficient security procedures to eliminate vulnerabilities in the systems. Other duties include regular data check-ups, as well as setting up and maintaining user accounts in the systems.
- cloud administrators: as a cloud systems administrator, you manage the company’s cloud infrastructure. You also maintain third-party cloud services, such as Amazon Web Services (AWS) and the Google Cloud Platform.
- database administrators: as a database administrator, you maintain the storage systems of a company. Since you manage the databases, you integrate data from old databases into new ones. You also create new databases from scratch and maintain them to prevent data loss.
working as a systems administrator
If you are interested in computer networks and would like to become a systems administrator, check out the duties and tasks of systems administrators.
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what does a systems administrator do?
The daily tasks of a systems administrator vary depending on the specific role in the organization. However, some common tasks you are likely to perform include:
- installing hardware and software: as a systems administrator, you set up the company's computer systems. After determining the organizational requirements, you install and configure the hardware and software features. When installing the servers and hardware components, you configure the necessary system settings and establish security protocols to ensure the systems function optimally.
- monitoring system performance: your job is to monitor computer systems and networks, helping to prevent or minimize downtimes. When checking the performance of servers, you troubleshoot issues as they arise. You use network monitoring software to keep track of the performance of the computer systems.
- troubleshooting issues: as a systems administrator, you respond to incidents that arise in computer systems. When there is a security breach or a server crashes, you quickly diagnose and resolve the issue. You are expected to solve problems quickly and minimize downtimes.
- providing technical support to employees: you provide technical support to workers experiencing issues with the company's computer systems. You are responsible for creating and managing user accounts. That means you set up access controls and ensure users have appropriate permissions to access the information they require.
- performing backups: as a systems administrator, you keep important information secure in the company’s databases. Aside from improving security and maintaining the databases, you regularly backup data. In case of a data breach, you also develop disaster recovery plans to avoid data loss.
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work environment of a systems administrator
Systems administrators work in diverse industries. Aside from IT companies, you work in government offices and organizations in various industries. Your work environment depends on the company you work for. For instance, in an office setting, you work in a dedicated IT department alongside other IT professionals. Some systems administrators also work in data centres, where they monitor the company's IT infrastructure. Data centres can be cold and loud, and you may have to stand for long hours at a time.
As a systems administrator, you can work remotely and make a few site visits to the data centres. Work-from-home opportunities are available, allowing you to accomplish your tasks using virtual tools and remote access to manage IT infrastructure.
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who are your colleagues?
Depending on the company you work for, you collaborate with professionals from different fields. For instance, you work with IT technicians, software developers, web developers and cloud engineers. You also collaborate with project managers and operations managers to ensure the computer systems function as expected in various projects.
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systems administrator work schedule
The work schedule of a systems administrator is typically 40 hours a week. You work traditional office hours during the work week, usually from 9 am to 5 pm. Sometimes, you work overtime to cover heavy workloads. In some companies, systems administrators are required 24/7 to monitor critical systems. In such cases, you work in shifts, sometimes at night or over the weekend.
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career opportunities as a systems administrator
Most systems administrators start their career as a help desk or IT support technician. But with experience and certification in computer systems, you will likely move into a higher position. You should consider specializing in roles like network administrator, as there is a high demand for tech professionals with these skills. As a systems administrator, you can progress to a business systems analyst position or take up a cloud computing role to become a cloud engineer.
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advantages of finding a job as a systems administrator through randstad
Working with Randstad offers you a range of benefits.
- always a contact person you can fall back on and ask for help from
- many training opportunities
- a range of jobs in your area
branch manager skills and education
Some of the requirements for becoming a systems administrator include:
- college program: pursue a college program in network administration, computer science or web technology to acquire the skills necessary for the role. Any relevant college program can get you an entry-level position in computer systems administration. A bachelor’s degree in IT or computer science enhances your chances of landing a job.
- certification: while certifications are not mandatory for securing a job, they give you a competitive advantage. Receive training and certification from software vendors recommended by employers to gain additional skills relevant to the role. For instance, you can take online courses to learn programming languages or complete Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate training. In Canada, systems administrator is not a regulated career. However, in Saskatchewan, you should register with a regulatory body, such as Saskatchewan Applied Science Technologists and Technicians. In Ontario, you need professional certification from the Ontario College of Trades to work as a network technician or administrator.
competencies and characteristics of systems administrators
As a systems administrator, you require technical abilities and soft skills. Focus on improving the following skills:
- communication: you coordinate with various professionals and interact with clients when performing your duties. Hence, your ability to convey your message clearly is crucial. Improving your verbal and written communication skills helps you collaborate with people and work on your project efficiently.
- organization skills: since you juggle multiple tasks simultaneously, it helps to have organizational skills. When you organize your work, you can keep track of all the projects with urgent deadlines and take immediate action when problems arise.
- attention to detail: as a systems administrator, you deal with volumes of data and diverse user requirements. When setting up the computer systems, you analyze the information to draw useful insights into user requirements. Your attentiveness to details makes you less likely to make errors.
- troubleshooting skills: as the company's tech expert, you should be good at fixing problems in computer systems. Your computer networks or systems may have issues that prevent the daily functioning of the organization. Having troubleshooting skills helps you identify problems and fix them immediately.
FAQs
Here, you will find the answers to the most frequently asked questions about the profession of a systems administrator.
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what qualifications do I need to be a systems administrator?
A bachelor's degree isn't mandatory, but you need a computer science or information technology college diploma. Consider pursuing relevant certifications to build your experience in computer networks and infrastructure. Most organizations focus on work experience when hiring systems administrators, but professional qualifications increase your prospects.
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is systems administrator a good career?
A career as a systems administrator is a promising role with good earning potential and career growth opportunities. You can work in diverse industries and perform a range of duties, from providing IT support to managing databases and servers.
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what does a systems administrator do?
As a systems administrator, you install and maintain computer servers and networks. You ensure the computer systems function optimally and resolve any issues that arise. Your duties involve performing maintenance tasks and troubleshooting problems in the system.
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what makes a good systems administrator?
To be a good systems administrator, you require technical knowledge like cloud computing and maintaining IT infrastructure. You should also have soft skills, including interpersonal and people management skills, to collaborate with other professionals.
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does a systems administrator require coding skills?
You don't need proficiency in programming languages to work as a systems administrator. However, having basic coding skills will help you perform your tasks more easily.
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how do I find a job as a systems administrator?
Finding a job near you as a systems administrator is easy. Search our job offers. Have you found what you're looking for? Then submit your application using the ‘Apply’ button top right on the page. No jobs available right now? Send us your resume and we'll pass it on to a recruiter who will contact you if an opportunity opens up for you.
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