Becoming a Network Administrator via Online Education?
At the very least, online education can help you lay a foundation and/or open up alternate career paths.
Kaplan University, one of the highest ranking online
schools,
is a US school (accredited) offering network administration courses to train individuals
to become top-notch
network administrators,
network engineers,
network specialists,
network managers,
network administratorss, etc.
Currently, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics there are 338,890 people employed as
network and computer systems administrators alone in America, and their average annual salary is
$70,930.
Computer and information systems managers make on average $120,640
per year and there are about 287,210
of them employed today.
Colleges and universities like Kaplan University that provide online education are successfully launching workers into
this
field.
Typical Work Locations for a Network Administrator
- Call Center
- Home Office
- Corporate Office
- Government Office
- Military Facility
- Hospital
- Internet Server Facility
- Police Station
- Computer Software Room
- Graphic Design Business
Potential Advantages and Benefits of Working as a Network Administrator
- Process new hires, changes and terms
- Manage client benefit implementations and renewals
- Manage flexible spending and EAP programs
- Assist with the annual Open Enrollment Process
- Benefits related to duties/projects as assigned
- Ability to work in a team environment as well as independently
- Detailed oriented position
- Customer Service Repore
- Responsible for security of the company's working network
- Ensuring the businesses connectivity throughout a company's LAN/WAN infrastructure
Potential Drawbacks
- Firewall issue
- Coworkers violate rules
- Dealing with nonstop viruses
- Sometimes seem least important
- Having to follow orders and violate colleagues' privacy
- Few opportunities for promotion
- Mundane tasks
- May be boring
- Not a mental challenge
- Troubleshooting is all too often
Related Professions to Consider
- Network Administrator
- System Administrator
- Network Engineer
- Network Systems Administrator
- Network Security Administrator
- Installation Network Administrator
- Network Server Administrator
- Assistant Network Administrator
- Windows Administrator
- Computer System Administrator
Possible Interview Questions When Applying to be a Network Administrator
- What is the difference between layer 2 and layer 3 in the OSI model?
- What is the difference between a hub switch and router?
- What is a VLAN?
- What Is The Difference Between Tcp And Udp?
- How do you distinguish a DNS problem from a network problem?
- What is a runt Giant and collision?
- What is a broadcast storm?
- What is the purpose of VRRP?
- What is a VPN?
- What information about a peer would I need to establish a VPN?
Common Collaborating Professions
- IT Helpdesk
- IT Teck
- IT supervisor
- Support
- System Administrator
- System Security Manager
- Teacher
- Presenter
- Call Center
- Administration
Network Administrator Training books
Network Administrator (More) Popular books
Potential Companies to Work For
Common College Majors
- Computer networking
- Computer programming
- Computer studies
- Computer science
- Web development
- Web design
- Network security
- Telecommunications
- Information technology
- Internet technologies
Network Administrator Salary Information
Category: Computer and information systems managers
| Total # Employed in the US |
287,210 |
| Average Hourly Wage: |
$58.0/hr |
| Hourly Wage Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $33.61 |
$42.9 |
$54.67 |
$69.03 |
$0.0 |
|
| Average Yearly Salary |
$120,640 |
| Yearly Salary Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $69,900 |
$89,240 |
$113,720 |
$143,590 |
$0 |
|
| Employment Demographics |
| % OF WORKERS WITH |
| < High School Diploma |
High School Diploma |
Some College |
Associate Degree |
Bachelor Degree |
Master Degree |
Doctoral Degree |
| 0.6% |
4.5% |
15.7% |
9.2% |
45.6% |
22.2% |
2.2% |
|
Computer and information systems managers — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
| STATE | Average Hourly Wage | Average Annual Salary |
|---|
| North Dakota |
$67.25/hr
|
$139,880
|
| Oklahoma |
$66.36/hr
|
$138,020
|
| Colorado |
$65.73/hr
|
$136,720
|
| Missouri |
$63.92/hr
|
$132,950
|
| Florida |
$62.41/hr
|
$129,820
|
| District of Columbia |
$62.29/hr
|
$129,560
|
| Connecticut |
$60.66/hr
|
$126,160
|
| Mississippi |
$60.15/hr
|
$125,110
|
| Utah |
$58.75/hr
|
$122,200
|
| Virginia |
$57.9/hr
|
$120,440
|
| North Carolina |
$57.89/hr
|
$120,420
|
| Wyoming |
$57.85/hr
|
$120,320
|
| Hawaii |
$57.32/hr
|
$119,230
|
| Nebraska |
$56.97/hr
|
$118,490
|
| Oregon |
$56.47/hr
|
$117,470
|
| Tennessee |
$55.96/hr
|
$116,390
|
| Kansas |
$54.69/hr
|
$113,760
|
| Delaware |
$54.6/hr
|
$113,570
|
| Idaho |
$54.19/hr
|
$112,720
|
| South Carolina |
$53.76/hr
|
$111,820
|
| Arkansas |
$51.07/hr
|
$106,220
|
| Montana |
$50.7/hr
|
$105,460
|
| New York |
$50.68/hr
|
$105,410
|
| New Hampshire |
$50.25/hr
|
$104,530
|
| Puerto Rico |
$50/hr
|
$104,000
|
| Indiana |
$49.84/hr
|
$103,660
|
| Alabama |
$49.15/hr
|
$102,230
|
| Louisiana |
$48.35/hr
|
$100,580
|
| California |
$47.75/hr
|
$99,320
|
| Guam |
$47.67/hr
|
$99,150
|
| New Mexico |
$47.62/hr
|
$99,040
|
| Maine |
$46.92/hr
|
$97,590
|
| Ohio |
$46.75/hr
|
$97,230
|
| Kentucky |
$46.15/hr
|
$95,990
|
| Washington |
$46.06/hr
|
$95,810
|
| Maryland |
$45.12/hr
|
$93,850
|
| New Jersey |
$44.77/hr
|
$93,120
|
| West Virginia |
$44.44/hr
|
$92,430
|
| Michigan |
$44.25/hr
|
$92,030
|
| Alaska |
$43.3/hr
|
$90,050
|
| Wisconsin |
$42.62/hr
|
$88,650
|
| Iowa |
$42.54/hr
|
$88,480
|
| South Dakota |
$41.12/hr
|
$85,530
|
| Massachusetts |
$38.85/hr
|
$80,820
|
| Pennsylvania |
$38.46/hr
|
$80,000
|
| Nevada |
$37.32/hr
|
$77,630
|
Category: Computer support specialists
| Total # Employed in the US |
540,560 |
| Average Hourly Wage: |
$22.77/hr |
| Hourly Wage Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $13.08 |
$16.5 |
$21.3 |
$27.54 |
$34.95 |
|
| Average Yearly Salary |
$47,360 |
| Yearly Salary Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $27,200 |
$34,320 |
$44,300 |
$57,290 |
$72,690 |
|
| Employment Demographics |
| % OF WORKERS WITH |
| < High School Diploma |
High School Diploma |
Some College |
Associate Degree |
Bachelor Degree |
Master Degree |
Doctoral Degree |
| 1.0% |
12.5% |
29.4% |
16.0% |
33.1% |
7.2% |
0.9% |
|
Computer support specialists — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
| STATE | Average Hourly Wage | Average Annual Salary |
|---|
| Missouri |
$28.96/hr
|
$60,230
|
| Florida |
$27.85/hr
|
$57,920
|
| Delaware |
$26.89/hr
|
$55,920
|
| District of Columbia |
$26.27/hr
|
$54,630
|
| Colorado |
$25.52/hr
|
$53,080
|
| Oklahoma |
$25.27/hr
|
$52,570
|
| Mississippi |
$24.98/hr
|
$51,950
|
| Connecticut |
$24.9/hr
|
$51,790
|
| North Dakota |
$24.62/hr
|
$51,210
|
| Kansas |
$24.53/hr
|
$51,010
|
| Arkansas |
$23.27/hr
|
$48,400
|
| North Carolina |
$23.01/hr
|
$47,860
|
| Nebraska |
$22.93/hr
|
$47,700
|
| Wyoming |
$22.76/hr
|
$47,330
|
| Indiana |
$22.71/hr
|
$47,240
|
| Idaho |
$22.64/hr
|
$47,100
|
| Alaska |
$22.63/hr
|
$47,070
|
| New York |
$22.42/hr
|
$46,630
|
| Puerto Rico |
$22.3/hr
|
$46,380
|
| Oregon |
$22.1/hr
|
$45,960
|
| Ohio |
$21.73/hr
|
$45,190
|
| Tennessee |
$21.47/hr
|
$44,650
|
| Montana |
$21.32/hr
|
$44,350
|
| Virginia |
$21.25/hr
|
$44,210
|
| New Hampshire |
$20.79/hr
|
$43,250
|
| Utah |
$20.79/hr
|
$43,250
|
| Wisconsin |
$20.78/hr
|
$43,220
|
| Massachusetts |
$20.74/hr
|
$43,150
|
| Guam |
$20.59/hr
|
$42,830
|
| Michigan |
$20.31/hr
|
$42,250
|
| Alabama |
$20.16/hr
|
$41,940
|
| Louisiana |
$20.12/hr
|
$41,850
|
| South Carolina |
$20.07/hr
|
$41,750
|
| Washington |
$20.02/hr
|
$41,640
|
| Maine |
$19.75/hr
|
$41,090
|
| Kentucky |
$19.54/hr
|
$40,630
|
| Hawaii |
$19.39/hr
|
$40,320
|
| New Mexico |
$19.33/hr
|
$40,200
|
| Iowa |
$19.31/hr
|
$40,160
|
| Maryland |
$19.13/hr
|
$39,780
|
| Nevada |
$18.59/hr
|
$38,670
|
| New Jersey |
$18.2/hr
|
$37,850
|
| South Dakota |
$18.03/hr
|
$37,500
|
| California |
$18.02/hr
|
$37,480
|
| Pennsylvania |
$17.95/hr
|
$37,350
|
| West Virginia |
$16.89/hr
|
$35,140
|
Category: Network and computer systems administrators
| Total # Employed in the US |
338,890 |
| Average Hourly Wage: |
$34.1/hr |
| Hourly Wage Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $20.16 |
$25.45 |
$32.55 |
$41.26 |
$50.95 |
|
| Average Yearly Salary |
$70,930 |
| Yearly Salary Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $41,940 |
$52,940 |
$67,710 |
$85,830 |
$105,970 |
|
| Employment Demographics |
| % OF WORKERS WITH |
| < High School Diploma |
High School Diploma |
Some College |
Associate Degree |
Bachelor Degree |
Master Degree |
Doctoral Degree |
| 0.7% |
8.4% |
25.2% |
15.5% |
39.0% |
10.2% |
1.0% |
|
Network and computer systems administrators — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
| STATE | Average Hourly Wage | Average Annual Salary |
|---|
| North Dakota |
$39.02/hr
|
$81,160
|
| Mississippi |
$38.51/hr
|
$80,100
|
| Colorado |
$38.38/hr
|
$79,830
|
| Florida |
$38.06/hr
|
$79,170
|
| Oklahoma |
$37.96/hr
|
$78,960
|
| Missouri |
$37.31/hr
|
$77,600
|
| Connecticut |
$36.59/hr
|
$76,110
|
| Kansas |
$36.19/hr
|
$75,260
|
| Delaware |
$35.29/hr
|
$73,400
|
| Utah |
$34.54/hr
|
$71,840
|
| Idaho |
$34.13/hr
|
$70,980
|
| Virginia |
$33.9/hr
|
$70,520
|
| Nebraska |
$33.67/hr
|
$70,040
|
| Hawaii |
$33.42/hr
|
$69,520
|
| Oregon |
$33.05/hr
|
$68,750
|
| Wyoming |
$32.52/hr
|
$67,630
|
| Tennessee |
$32.46/hr
|
$67,520
|
| New Hampshire |
$32.32/hr
|
$67,220
|
| Montana |
$31.98/hr
|
$66,520
|
| Arkansas |
$31.91/hr
|
$66,380
|
| Alaska |
$31.73/hr
|
$65,990
|
| North Carolina |
$31.64/hr
|
$65,800
|
| District of Columbia |
$31.49/hr
|
$65,500
|
| Indiana |
$30.93/hr
|
$64,340
|
| Guam |
$30.67/hr
|
$63,790
|
| Alabama |
$30.48/hr
|
$63,390
|
| New Mexico |
$30.27/hr
|
$62,960
|
| Wisconsin |
$30.2/hr
|
$62,810
|
| New York |
$30.08/hr
|
$62,560
|
| Washington |
$30.07/hr
|
$62,540
|
| South Carolina |
$29.96/hr
|
$62,310
|
| Louisiana |
$29.66/hr
|
$61,700
|
| Puerto Rico |
$29.66/hr
|
$61,690
|
| Maine |
$29.13/hr
|
$60,590
|
| Michigan |
$28.77/hr
|
$59,830
|
| California |
$28.46/hr
|
$59,200
|
| Kentucky |
$28.29/hr
|
$58,850
|
| Iowa |
$27.77/hr
|
$57,750
|
| Ohio |
$27.52/hr
|
$57,230
|
| Massachusetts |
$26.89/hr
|
$55,930
|
| South Dakota |
$25.93/hr
|
$53,930
|
| Nevada |
$25.17/hr
|
$52,360
|
| West Virginia |
$25.11/hr
|
$52,230
|
| Maryland |
$24.97/hr
|
$51,940
|
| New Jersey |
$24.85/hr
|
$51,690
|
| Pennsylvania |
$24.84/hr
|
$51,660
|
Category: Network systems and data communications analysts
| Total # Employed in the US |
226,080 |
| Average Hourly Wage: |
$36.81/hr |
| Hourly Wage Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $20.62 |
$26.88 |
$35.22 |
$45.35 |
$55.83 |
|
| Average Yearly Salary |
$76,560 |
| Yearly Salary Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $42,880 |
$55,900 |
$73,250 |
$94,320 |
$116,120 |
|
| Employment Demographics |
| % OF WORKERS WITH |
| < High School Diploma |
High School Diploma |
Some College |
Associate Degree |
Bachelor Degree |
Master Degree |
Doctoral Degree |
| 0.7% |
8.1% |
21.6% |
13.5% |
42.8% |
12.1% |
1.2% |
|
Network systems and data communications analysts — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
| STATE | Average Hourly Wage | Average Annual Salary |
|---|
| North Dakota |
$43.33/hr
|
$90,120
|
| Colorado |
$40.96/hr
|
$85,190
|
| Mississippi |
$40.81/hr
|
$84,880
|
| District of Columbia |
$40.44/hr
|
$84,110
|
| Florida |
$40.15/hr
|
$83,510
|
| Nebraska |
$40/hr
|
$83,210
|
| Missouri |
$39.49/hr
|
$82,140
|
| Oklahoma |
$38.92/hr
|
$80,950
|
| New Hampshire |
$38.7/hr
|
$80,490
|
| Connecticut |
$37.59/hr
|
$78,190
|
| Utah |
$37.49/hr
|
$77,970
|
| New York |
$37.22/hr
|
$77,410
|
| Idaho |
$37.11/hr
|
$77,200
|
| Wyoming |
$36.74/hr
|
$76,420
|
| Oregon |
$36.14/hr
|
$75,170
|
| Delaware |
$35.81/hr
|
$74,490
|
| Virginia |
$35.5/hr
|
$73,830
|
| Kansas |
$35.31/hr
|
$73,450
|
| Guam |
$35.25/hr
|
$73,320
|
| Montana |
$34.83/hr
|
$72,440
|
| South Carolina |
$34.38/hr
|
$71,510
|
| Hawaii |
$33.64/hr
|
$69,960
|
| Arkansas |
$33.17/hr
|
$69,000
|
| Wisconsin |
$32.94/hr
|
$68,520
|
| California |
$32.84/hr
|
$68,300
|
| North Carolina |
$32.8/hr
|
$68,220
|
| Tennessee |
$32.37/hr
|
$67,330
|
| Puerto Rico |
$32.11/hr
|
$66,780
|
| Alaska |
$31.91/hr
|
$66,370
|
| Louisiana |
$31.87/hr
|
$66,280
|
| New Mexico |
$31.38/hr
|
$65,270
|
| Indiana |
$31.33/hr
|
$65,160
|
| Kentucky |
$30.72/hr
|
$63,910
|
| Maine |
$30.24/hr
|
$62,900
|
| Michigan |
$30.15/hr
|
$62,720
|
| Washington |
$30.15/hr
|
$62,710
|
| Alabama |
$29.99/hr
|
$62,390
|
| Ohio |
$29.77/hr
|
$61,930
|
| Iowa |
$28.94/hr
|
$60,190
|
| Pennsylvania |
$28.44/hr
|
$59,160
|
| South Dakota |
$28.43/hr
|
$59,130
|
| Maryland |
$28.43/hr
|
$59,130
|
| Nevada |
$28.01/hr
|
$58,270
|
| New Jersey |
$27.45/hr
|
$57,100
|
| West Virginia |
$26.47/hr
|
$55,060
|
| Massachusetts |
$26.1/hr
|
$54,290
|
Category: Network Designers
| Total # Employed in the US |
195,890 |
| Average Hourly Wage: |
$37.5/hr |
| Hourly Wage Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $20.04 |
$28.11 |
$37.02 |
$46.58 |
$55.31 |
|
| Average Yearly Salary |
$78,010 |
| Yearly Salary Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $41,680 |
$58,460 |
$77,010 |
$96,890 |
$115,050 |
|
| Employment Demographics |
| % OF WORKERS WITH |
| < High School Diploma |
High School Diploma |
Some College |
Associate Degree |
Bachelor Degree |
Master Degree |
Doctoral Degree |
| 0.6% |
6.4% |
17.0% |
10.5% |
44.3% |
18.7% |
2.5% |
|
