What does a Network Administrator do?
A Network Administrator supervises a computer network and its operations. They make sure that servers function properly, allowing customers and employees to communicate easily with each other, coordinate their activities, and take care of essential tasks. Network Administrators’ day-to-day activities often vary, including helping new users get started, looking for threats or errors on the network, and upgrading software.
Network Administrator skills and qualifications
Successful Network Administrators have a variety of technical and social skills. They can find errors in programming code, explain how to use software and hardware, and interact with a wide variety of network users. Top skills and qualifications for Network Administrators include:
- Outstanding written and verbal communication skills
- Good planning and organizational skills
- Extensive understanding of computer operating systems and programming languages such as C++, Java, HTML, Linux, Pascal, Oracle, and Delphi
- Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment
Network Administrator experience requirements
Most Network Administrator jobs require at least three years of computer support and network administration experience. The best candidates often have more than five years of experience with whatever programming languages your company uses most.
Network Administrator education and training requirements
You should require Network Administrator candidates to have a bachelor’s degree in computer science, network administration, or a similar field. However, you may accept candidates with programming certifications from software vendors along with extensive experience. These certifications can include Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE), Red Hat Certified System Administrator, CompTIA Server+, and VMware Certified Professional. In some provinces, certifications from regulatory authorities are required as well. New Network Administrators usually need on-the-job training to learn about company systems, policies, and procedures.
Network Administrator Salary Expectations
According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary of a Network Administrator in Canada is $66,869 a year. This can vary depending on the company that is hiring, its location, the experience of the applicant, and the skills they bring to the position.
Job description samples for similar positions
If a Network Administrator job description sample isn’t exactly what you’re looking for, some other related job description samples include: