A degree may open the door to a variety of opportunities and diverse career paths. The degree programs offered at CTU will not necessarily lead to the featured careers. This collection of articles is intended to help inform and guide you through the process of determining which level of degree and types of certifications align with your desired career path.
Network and computer systems administrators work across a wide range of industries, from computer systems design to educational services to financial and insurance services.1 If you are interested in computing, information technology, and communication networks, then a career path in network administration may be worth exploring.
What Is a Network Administrator?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) groups network administrators and systems administrators together under the same occupational category. Network and computer systems administrators handle the day-to-day operation of an organization's computer networks and help ensure the smooth operation of its computer systems. These systems include local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), network segments, intranets, and other data communication systems.1
Individuals in network administrator roles may hold a variety of job titles, including:2
- Network Coordinator
- Network Manager
- Systems Engineer
- Network Engineer
- Information Technology Specialist (IT Specialist)
- LAN Specialist (Local Area Network Specialist)
- Local Area Network Administrator (LAN Administrator)
What Does a Network Administrator Do?
Network and computer systems administrators handle the daily operation of an organization's networks — but what does that look like in practice? Typical duties of a network administrator may include:1
- Installing an organization's network application hardware and software
- Upgrading and repairing networks to help ensure normal systems operation
- Maintaining network and computer system security
- Evaluating and optimizing network or system performance
- Adding network users
- Training users on an organization’s network and systems
- Assigning and updating network security permissions
Systems Administrator vs. Network Administrator
"Systems administrator" and "network administrator" are often used interchangeably, and the BLS combines these roles into one occupational category. However, some organizations may distinguish between the two.
For example, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) describes the role of a network operations specialist or network administrator as one who "plans, implements and operates network services/systems, to include hardware and virtual environments."3 It describes the role of a system administrator as one who is "responsible for setting up and maintaining a system or specific components of a system (e.g., installing, configuring and updating hardware and software; establishing and managing user accounts; overseeing or conducting backup and recovery tasks; implementing operational and technical security controls; and adhering to organizational security policies and procedures)."4
When reviewing a systems administrator or network administrator job description, evaluate it carefully to understand the specific focus of the position.
Network Engineer vs. Network Administrator
A network engineer, or computer network architect, designs and builds data communication networks such as LANs, WANs, and intranets. A network engineer's typical responsibilities include:5
- Creating plans and layouts for data communication networks
- Presenting network design plans to management
- Deploying planned networks and testing to ensure proper implementation
- Upgrading hardware and software
- Researching & recommending new networking technologies for network performance
One way to think about the difference: network engineers create and implement the networks that network administrators operate, maintain, and monitor on a daily basis.
How to Become a Network Administrator
Employers typically require some level of formal education in a relevant field. An associate degree or postsecondary certificate may be sufficient for some employers. However, most typically prefer a bachelor's degree, and some may consider candidates with a master's degree. Network administrators may choose to pursue degree programs in:1
- Computer and information technology
- Computer engineering
Network administrator training and education generally includes earning relevant product certifications. Organizations generally require network administrators to be certified in the products they use.1
The following skills may also be advantageous for network administrators:1
- Analytical skills
- Communication skills
- Multitasking skills
- Problem-solving skills
- Technical skills
Network Administrator Degree Programs and Certifications
Employers generally expect their network and systems administrators to be certified in the products they work with.1 In addition to pursuing a computer science degree or online IT degree program, some may also choose to seek third-party certification to build on their qualifications. Common certifications are offered through organizations such as CompTIA and Cisco.
For those considering a bachelor's-level program, CTU offers a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology that includes core coursework in networking, systems administration, security, and more. Students interested in the science and theory behind computing systems may also consider CTU's Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, which covers programming, software engineering, and data communication fundamentals. Ready to learn more about where to start? Visit the CTU Admissions page for an overview of the enrollment process.
How Do You Learn About Potential Network Administrator Job Opportunities?
Membership in a computing or IT professional organization may help you build a professional network and access continuing education and training opportunities. Some organizations worth exploring include:
- Association of Computing Machinery (ACM): ACM is the world's largest computing society. It supports the professional growth of its members by providing opportunities for life-long learning, career development, and professional networking.7
- Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA): CompTIA is a vendor-neutral information source and advocate for the global IT ecosystem and IT professionals. It promotes industry growth and the development of a skilled workforce through education, training, certifications, philanthropy, and market research.8
- Association for Women in Computing (AWC): AWC promotes the advancement of women in computing professions. It provides professional growth opportunities through networking, continuing education, and mentoring programs.9
Which Skills Match Which IT Roles? Different IT occupations emphasize different combinations of skills. Cybersecurity, cloud, programming, data, troubleshooting, and systems skills may appear in different information technology roles depending on the position and employer.1 For more information about potential career paths in the field, explore potential career paths in information technology.
CTU cannot guarantee employment, salary, or career advancement. The list of career paths related to CTU's Information Technology programs is based on a subset from the Bureau of Labor Statistics CIP to SOC Crosswalk. Some career paths listed above may require further education or job experience.
Not all programs are available to residents of all states.
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1 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Network and Computer Systems Administrators, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/network-and-computer-systems-administrators.htm (visited September 14, 2026).
2 O*NET Online, "15-1244.00 — Network and Computer Systems Administrators," https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/15-1244.00 (visited September 14, 2026).
3 CISA, "Network Operations Specialist," https://www.cisa.gov/network-operations-specialist (visited September 14, 2026).
4 CISA, "System Administrator," https://www.cisa.gov/system-administrator (visited September 14, 2026).
5 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Computer Network Architects, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/computer-network-architects.htm (visited September 14, 2026).
7 Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), "About Us," https://www.acm.org/about-acm/about-the-acm-organization (visited September 14, 2026).
8 Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA), "About Us," https://www.comptia.org/about-us (visited September 14, 2026).
9 Association for Women in Computing (AWC), "Home," https://www.awc-hq.org/home.html (visited September 14, 2026).