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System Administrator Job Description: Top Duties and Qualifications

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Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

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A 684794315system administrator25.16it12.47information technology8.38it support6.64linux system administrator3.0854127458939624000.0092264.53205000.00YEARLY2465681122025-10-012025-10-312025-09-012025-09-302025-11-05System Administrator, or Systems Administrator, is responsible for overseeing the maintenance and security of company intranets and computer systems. Their duties include installing antivirus or malware protection software, responding to employee concerns or drafting documents to help employees use computer systems and coordinating with company leadership to determine new technologies that could enhance their company’s computer systems.

System Administrator duties and responsibilities

System Administrators identify any problems in the system, anticipate potential issues and repair systems and software when necessary. Other duties and responsibilities may include:

  • Setting up new users and giving them access to the intranet
  • Managing and maintaining the file servers
  • Operating the firewall for the organization
  • Monitoring the internet connection for security risks
  • Employing the latest security protocols
  • Monitoring the local area network (LAN) for threats or errors

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System Administrator Job Description Examples

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Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

Read our editorial guidelines
Job Description Best Practices
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What does a 684794315system administrator25.16it12.47information technology8.38it support6.64linux system administrator3.0854127458939624000.0092264.53205000.00YEARLY2465681122025-10-012025-10-312025-09-012025-09-302025-11-05System Administrator do?

System Administrators typically work for corporations across industries to ensure that employees have secure and efficient computer systems to fulfill their daily job responsibilities. They work closely with IT personnel and company employees to update systems, address security breaches and help troubleshoot issues. Their job is to plan for problematic situations and create procedures to restore computer systems and their functionality. They may also be responsible for coding systems or updating programs by altering code strings if necessary.

System Administrator skills and qualifications

A qualified candidate will have skills and qualifications that demonstrate the fact that they are capable of executing their job duties and fulfilling the various functions of their role. Some of the skills and qualifications of a System Administrator include:

  • Ability to solve problems in stressful situations
  • Strong attention to detail
  • Communication skills
  • Ability to explain technical concepts to inexperienced users
  • Time management skills

System Administrator salary expectations

The average annual salary for a System Administrator is $83,579 per year. Actual pay for a System Administrator depends on the experience and educational background of the candidate.

System Administrator salary expectations

2025-10-0124000.0092264.53205000.00YEARLY
  • Common salary: 92264.53 YEARLY
  • Typical salaries range from 24000.00 - 205000.00 YEARLY
  • Find more information on Indeed Salaries

*Indeed data – 2025-10-01

System Administrator education and training requirements

Education requirements for a System Administrator vary because it’s a role that can be filled by people who have knowledge either through education or actual work experience with operating and monitoring local area networks. An ideal candidate could have an associate or bachelor’s degree in computer science, but someone with multiple certifications can be just as capable of fulfilling the job duties. Certifications include Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE), CompTIA Server+, Red Hat Certified System Administrator, Red Hat Certified Engineer and VMware Certified Professional.

684794315system administrator25.16it12.47information technology8.38it support6.64linux system administrator3.0854127458939624000.0092264.53205000.00YEARLY2465681122025-10-012025-10-312025-09-012025-09-302025-11-05System Administrator experience requirements

An ideal System Administrator candidate will have experience with databases, networks, upgrading hardware and software, designing networks, laying out the infrastructure for LANs, troubleshooting network outages and user troubles and the ability to communicate clearly. They will also be up-to-date on the latest security protocols for the LAN and wide area network (WAN) and be able to educate users on how to handle suspicious emails and requests for sensitive information. A candidate for the role should also be able to program scripts to run internal functions and have sufficient Unix knowledge.

Job description samples for similar positions

If you’re writing a job description for a related position to a System Administrator, see our job descriptions for similar roles:

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Frequently asked questions about System Administrators

Three individuals are sitting at a table with a laptop, a disposable coffee cup, notebooks, and a phone visible. Two are facing each other, while the third’s back is to the camera. The setting appears to be a bright room with large windows.

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Job Description Examples

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