What Does a Systems Administrator Do?
A systems administrator is responsible for managing, maintaining, and troubleshooting an organization’s IT infrastructure, including servers, networks, and user workstations. Their primary focus is to ensure systems remain operational, secure, and available to support business needs.
From configuring new hardware to managing backup systems, systems administrators are the go-to resource for keeping day-to-day operations running smoothly. They also implement system upgrades, monitor system performance, apply security patches, and respond quickly to system outages or user issues.
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Systems Administrator Core Responsibilities
- Install, configure, and maintain physical and virtual servers
- Monitor system performance and troubleshoot issues as they arise
- Manage user accounts, access controls, and system permissions
- Apply security patches and software updates
- Maintain backups and disaster recovery protocols
- Monitor network and server health using diagnostic tools
- Configure and manage email, print, and file servers
- Document systems, changes, and procedures for internal use
- Collaborate with other IT staff to support infrastructure projects
- Provide end-user support for system-related problems
Required Skills and Qualifications
Hard skills
- Proficiency in Windows and/or Linux server environments
- Experience with virtualization platforms (VMware, Hyper-V)
- Scripting ability (PowerShell, Bash)
- Familiarity with backup solutions and disaster recovery planning
- Knowledge of DNS, DHCP, Active Directory, and Group Policy
- Monitoring tools (e.g., Nagios, SolarWinds)
Soft skills
- Strong diagnostic and problem-solving skills
- Attention to detail and process consistency
- Clear communication with technical and non-technical users
- Ability to manage priorities in time-sensitive environments
- Collaborative mindset for cross-team IT support
Education
Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in information technology, computer science, or related field
Certifications
- CompTIA Server+
- Microsoft Certified: Windows Server Hybrid Administrator Associate
- Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA)
Recommended certifications include VMware Certified Professional (VCP) and AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate.
Systems Administrator Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in multi-site or hybrid cloud environments
- Familiarity with configuration management tools (Ansible, Puppet)
- Exposure to cybersecurity practices or audit procedures
National Average Salary
Systems administrator salaries vary by experience, industry, organization size, and geography. Click below to explore salaries by local market.
The average national salary for a Systems Administrator is:
$98,120
Sample Systems Administrator Job Descriptions
It’s important to include the right content in your job description when hiring a systems administrator. The following examples can serve as templates for attracting top talent to your team.
Example 1: Windows Systems Administrator
Position overview
The Windows Systems Administrator is responsible for maintaining and optimizing Microsoft-based server environments. This includes managing Active Directory, automating administrative tasks with PowerShell, and ensuring system security and reliability.
Responsibilities
- Administer Windows Server environments and domain services
- Manage Active Directory, Group Policy, DNS, and DHCP
- Perform system patching, updates, and performance tuning
- Automate routine tasks using PowerShell scripting
- Monitor system health and resolve hardware/software issues
- Support file, print, and remote desktop services
- Configure and deploy servers and endpoints using tools like SCCM or Intune
- Maintain system documentation and update change logs
Requirements
Hard skills
- Strong knowledge of Windows Server 2016/2019/2022
- Proficiency with PowerShell and task automation
- Experience with SCCM, Intune, or WSUS
- Familiarity with virtualization platforms (Hyper-V, VMware)
- Backup and disaster recovery tools
Soft skills
- Analytical problem-solving under time constraints
- Strong organizational and documentation habits
- Effective communication with users and IT teams
- Ability to manage multiple priorities
Education
Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in IT, computer science, or related field
Certifications
- Microsoft Certified: Windows Server Hybrid Administrator Associate
- CompTIA Server+
Recommended certifications include Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate and VMware VCP.
Preferred qualifications
- Experience with hybrid Active Directory environments
- Familiarity with Office 365 administration
- Knowledge of ITIL practices or ticketing systems
Example 2: Cloud Systems Administrator
Position overview
The Cloud Systems Administrator oversees the configuration, deployment, and monitoring of cloud infrastructure. This role ensures availability, performance, and cost-effectiveness of services hosted in platforms like AWS, Azure, or GCP.
Responsibilities
- Provision and manage cloud-based virtual machines and resources
- Monitor system performance and automate scaling processes
- Implement backup, recovery, and disaster recovery in cloud platforms
- Configure cloud storage, virtual networking, and IAM policies
- Assist with cloud migration and optimization projects
- Maintain documentation on cloud architecture and configurations
- Work with DevOps or engineering teams on deployment pipelines
Requirements
Hard skills
- Hands-on experience with AWS, Azure, or GCP
- Knowledge of virtual networking, IAM, and storage services
- Proficiency in automation tools (Terraform, CloudFormation, or Bicep)
- Scripting skills in PowerShell, Bash, or Python
- Familiarity with cloud monitoring tools (e.g., CloudWatch, Azure Monitor)
Soft skills
- Analytical thinking and proactive troubleshooting
- Clear communication with technical and non-technical teams
- Prioritization of performance, security, and cost-efficiency
- Continuous learning mindset
Education
Bachelor’s degree in IT, computer science, or cloud engineering
Certifications
- AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate
Recommended certifications include Google Associate Cloud Engineer and CompTIA Cloud+.
Preferred qualifications
- Experience with hybrid environments or cloud migration projects
- Familiarity with DevOps or CI/CD tools
- Exposure to Kubernetes or containerized infrastructure
Example 3: Network Systems Administrator
Position overview
The Network Systems Administrator is responsible for ensuring reliable operation of internal and external network infrastructure. This includes supporting routers, switches, firewalls, VPNs, and monitoring systems for performance and security.
Responsibilities
- Configure and maintain switches, routers, firewalls, and load balancers
- Monitor network traffic, uptime, and security alerts
- Manage DNS, DHCP, and internal IP schemes
- Configure and support VPNs and remote access
- Troubleshoot connectivity issues and optimize bandwidth usage
- Collaborate with security teams to manage firewall rules and access control
- Document network topologies, configurations, and changes
Requirements
Hard skills
- Knowledge of TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, VLANs, and subnetting
- Experience with enterprise networking equipment (Cisco, Juniper, Fortinet)
- Familiarity with routing protocols (BGP, OSPF)
- Use of network monitoring tools (e.g., PRTG, SolarWinds)
- Understanding of VPN and remote access technologies
Soft skills
- Methodical troubleshooting approach
- Strong written and verbal documentation skills
- Ability to manage time and priorities effectively
- Comfort working both independently and in a team
Education
Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in networking, information systems, or related field
Certifications
- CompTIA Network+
- Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
Recommended certifications include Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) and Juniper Networks Certified Associate.
Preferred qualifications
- Experience with firewalls and intrusion detection/prevention
- Familiarity with SD-WAN solutions
- Understanding of VoIP infrastructure
Example 4: DevOps Systems Administrator
Position overview
The DevOps Systems Administrator supports infrastructure automation, deployment pipelines, and system reliability in DevOps-centric environments. This role bridges system operations and software development to ensure rapid and stable deployments.
Responsibilities
- Automate server provisioning and configuration using IaC tools
- Maintain CI/CD pipelines for code deployment and infrastructure updates
- Support containerized applications and orchestrators like Kubernetes
- Monitor system performance and logs across environments
- Manage source control and artifact repositories
- Work with engineering teams to support test, staging, and production systems
- Enforce security best practices and manage secrets infrastructure
Requirements
Hard skills
- Proficiency in automation tools (Ansible, Puppet, Terraform)
- Knowledge of CI/CD systems (Jenkins, GitLab CI, Azure DevOps)
- Familiarity with Docker, Kubernetes, or ECS
- Experience with cloud infrastructure (AWS, Azure, or GCP)
- Scripting in Python, Bash, or PowerShell
Soft skills
- Collaborative mindset between Dev and Ops teams
- High level of accountability and ownership
- Documentation and process standardization
- Comfortable in fast-paced, iterative environments
Education
Bachelor’s degree in computer science, systems engineering, or related field
Certifications
- HashiCorp Certified: Terraform Associate
- AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional
Recommended certifications include Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) and Microsoft DevOps Engineer Expert.
Preferred qualifications
- Experience with observability stacks (ELK, Prometheus, Grafana)
- Familiarity with GitOps and infrastructure version control
- Exposure to compliance and audit logging practices