Eddie Teaches IT
Career Path Tool

Network Administrator Career Overview

Sample Job Titles

• Network Administrator
• Network Technician
• Network Architect

Typical Salary

• $60,000-120,000 ($30-60 per hour)

Typical time and cost to complete training

• 12 months
• $15,000

Eddie Teaches IT Courses Needed to Complete Training for this Position

IT & Cybersecurity Foundations: Software and Security

IT Networking

Cybersecurity in Depth

(click/tap course to view details)

Job Description

A Network Administrator manages and troubleshoots an organization's network. While there are junior network administrator positions, in general a network administrator is a more advanced position requiring expert knowledge of how networks work. Many network administrators are expected to have networking specific certifications.

Network administrators should be comfortable with networking equipment such as routers and switches. They are usually required to understand the complexities of how a network works, and they are often tasked with monitoring and optimizing network traffic. They may also have to expand a network or build a new network when an organization moves into a new building.

Getting a Job

Network Administrators are often expected to have certifications to prove their knowledge. A typical pathway to a network administrator job could be to start at the general help desk, then use the certification(s) and help desk experience to get a promotion. Having networking certifications could help you jump right into a junior network administrator role. Some companies hire for a combination position that deals with network support and help desk support.

Getting a Promotion

Network Administrators often need advanced networking certifications and knowledge to advance to a higher paying networking position.