How to Become a Network Administrator

by Danielle Antosz | Updated on March 31, 2026

Considering becoming a network administrator? It's a crucial role for modern businesses and offers a solid salary. Just like you can't watch your favorite streaming shows without Wi-Fi, most businesses can't run without a skilled network administrator to keep IT systems running smoothly.

If you enjoy problem-solving and like the idea of being the glue that holds a network together, this could be the right career for you!

In this guide, we'll walk through what a network admin is, what they do, the skills you'll need to land a role, and salary expectations.

What is a Network Administrator?

Network administrators are responsible for managing and maintaining an organization’s networking needs. These professionals ensure everything—from your company’s email system to its fancy cloud apps—stays online, secure, and running at peak performance.

Here's what network administrators typically handle:

Install and Configure Networks: Set up LANs, WANs, and VPNs that connect your office and remote teams like a well-oiled machine.
Monitor Network Performance: Ensure all systems are running optimally and troubleshoot when things go haywire.
Fix Network Issues: Identify and fix bottlenecks, outages, or that one rogue router causing chaos.
Manage Bandwidth and Traffic Prioritization: Monitor and manage network traffic to ensure critical applications get the bandwidth they need.
Plan for Disaster Recovery and Redundancy: Design and maintain failover systems and backup protocols so the network can recover quickly when something goes wrong.
Manage Projects: Plan and execute large-scale network-related projects, such as upgrades, migrations, or expansions.
Documentation: From large to small, all networks need documentation that is detailed, clear, and up to date.
Secure Networks: Protect the organization’s data by configuring firewalls, updating network security protocols, and thwarting cyberattacks.
Collaborate: Work closely with IT teams to support software systems, hardware, and end-user devices.

What Does a Network Administrator Do Day-to-Day?

As a network administrator, your typical day can vary a lot based on what industry you're in, the company you work for, and the structure of your IT department. For example, if you have specialized team members for functions like cybersecurity, you might have fewer of those tasks on your plate.

But to better understand whether this is the career for you, here's what a typical day could look like:

Time	Activity
8:00 AM - Morning Check-In	You start the day by grabbing a coffee and logging into your network monitoring tools. A quick scan of dashboards ensures everything is running smoothly, with no overnight issues or alerts. You review any automated reports and emails from your team or users reporting connectivity problems.
8:30 AM - Team Stand-Up	Join a quick IT team meeting to discuss ongoing projects and prioritize tasks for the day. Today’s top priority? Configuring a new VPN for remote employees and investigating a latency issue reported in the sales department.
9:00 AM - Troubleshooting Connectivity Issues	You head down to the sales floor to troubleshoot network performance complaints. After running diagnostics, you discover that a misconfigured switch is creating bottlenecks. You fix the issue and double-check that everything is now performing as expected.
11:00 AM - Firewall and Security Updates	Spend some time reviewing the firewall's access rules to ensure everything remains in compliance. While you’re at it, you check the logs for unusual activity—nothing suspicious today, thankfully.
11:55 AM - Urgent Troubleshooting Call	Even the best laid plans for your days will always be disrupted, so flexibility is key for any network admin. Just as you were getting ready to step out for lunch, a VP called with an urgent need: Wi-Fi dropping out in the main conference room, minutes before a critical client meeting. A quick reboot of the misbehaving access point gets him online again; you create a ticket for yourself to take a closer look at that AP later.
12:30 PM - Lunch Break	Take a well-deserved break! (Though your phone stays close—just in case the network decides to misbehave again while you’re away.)
1:30 PM - VPN Configuration	Back at your desk, you work on setting up a new VPN for remote employees. You configure the necessary settings, test the connection, and ensure it meets company security policies.
2:30 PM - Network Optimization	You run a script that gathers QoS metrics from every switch to confirm that jitter is kept to a minimum.
3:00 PM - Device Lifecycle Management	Every quarter, you review documentation to look for devices nearing their end of life. One switch stands out as needing replacement soon, so you begin drafting a proposal for the budget and time required for the project.
4:00 PM - IT Support Tickets	Close out the day by addressing IT support tickets related to networking. A dev team needs a firewall port opened to test a new app they are building, and the security team has requested a few new rules be added to the IPS. Log in to the firewall and make quick work of both requests.
5:30 PM - Wrap-Up and Documentation	Before heading home, you document the day’s activities, update network diagrams, and send a quick summary to your manager about the resolved connectivity issues and VPN setup. With everything running smoothly (for now), you log off and head home.

What Technical Skills Do I Need as a Network Administrator?

The skills you'll need will vary based on your industry and the tech stack your company uses. In general, network administrators need:

Networking Know-How: A strong foundation in networking hardware, protocols, and services is non-negotiable. You'll need to understand every layer of the OSI model, how data moves across a network, and how to configure and troubleshoot the routers, switches, and access points that keep it all running.
Security Expertise: Network administrators need a solid grasp of firewalls, VPNs, and core cybersecurity principles, including detecting unusual traffic patterns, responding to potential intrusions, and maintaining tight access controls across the organization.
Vendor-Specific Knowledge: Most enterprise environments are built on hardware and software from major vendors like Cisco and Juniper, so hands-on experience with their systems is often a baseline expectation.
Cloud Networking: Familiarity with cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud is increasingly expected, especially as more companies operate in hybrid environments.
Scripting and Automation: Basic scripting skills (Python, Bash, PowerShell) are becoming standard for automating repetitive tasks like the QoS script mentioned in the day-in-the-life section. Not every admin needs to be a developer, but having some scripting skills will set you apart.

Are There Jobs for Network Engineers Right Now?

Yes, there are. The demand for network administrators isn’t going anywhere. Businesses of all sizes are expanding their IT infrastructure, and with that comes the need for skilled professionals to manage it.

According to industry projections, the field is expected to experience a slight decline of around 4% between 2024 and 2034. However, there will be a greater demand for cybersecurity and cloud-based networking skills.

What Education and Training Resources are Available for Network Admins?

Most network administrators have a bachelor’s degree in IT, Computer Science, or Networking. If college isn’t your path, there are plenty of boot camps and online courses focused on networking to help you learn the required skills.

If you don't have a degree in CS or IT (or even if you do!), several industry certifications can help you stand out as a network administrator. Top certifications for this field include:

Not sure which certification is right for you? Explore the CBT Nuggets IT Certification Matrix to decide which cert best fits your goals.

What Does a Network Administrator Career Path Look Like?

The path your career may take can vary based on your interests, education, and the industry you're in. Here's the general path most network administrators take:

Entry-Level Positions: Many network admins start as help desk technicians and junior system admins, gaining foundational experience in IT support and networking.
Advancement Opportunities: With experience, network administrators can advance to roles such as senior network administrator, network engineer, or IT manager. Specialized roles in network architecture or security are also possible.
Alternative Career Paths: Depending on their interests and further training, network administrators may transition into roles such as cloud network engineers, cybersecurity specialists, or network analysts.

Network Administrator vs. System Administrator: What is the Difference?

While both roles maintain IT infrastructure, network administrators focus on routers, switches, and firewalls, while system administrators keep servers and operating systems running smoothly. Think of it as choosing between fixing highways (network) or maintaining the cars on the road (systems).

How Much Does a Network Administrator Make?

Network administrator salaries can vary significantly based on factors such as experience, industry, location, and company size. While it’s not a role that immediately commands six figures, it offers steady growth opportunities and competitive compensation, particularly as you gain experience and specialize in areas like security or cloud networking.

Experience Level	Average Salary
Entry-Level (0-2 years)	$56,000 - $73,000
Mid-Level (3-5 years)	$65,000 - $94,000
Senior-Level (5+ years)	$85,000 - $101,000+

(Source: Payscale 3/19/2026)

Many factors can impact your salary range, including company size, industry (e.g., finance vs healthcare), and geographic location (with higher salaries in tech hubs).

Overall, network administrator roles also offer excellent opportunities for career progression. Moving into related roles like network engineering, IT management, or specialized fields like cybersecurity or cloud architecture can lead to even higher earnings.

Ready to Start Your Network Administration Career?

Being a network administrator isn’t just about plugging in cables and resetting routers. It’s about building reliable networks, ensuring security, and keeping a company's digital backbone strong.

With the right education, certifications, and hands-on experience, you’ll be well on your way to mastering the art of networking (and earning some decent cash while you’re at it).

Ready to get started? Explore all the network certification training CBT Nuggets offers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I Need a Degree to Become a Network Administrator?

No, not necessarily. While many network admins have a bachelor's degree in IT or computer science, certifications like CompTIA Network+ and CCNA carry significant weight with employers. Many hiring managers actually prefer hands-on experience and credentials over a four-year degree.

How Long Does it Take to Become a Network Administrator?

Generally, two to five years, but it depends on your starting point. With a relevant degree, most people land their first network admin role in a year or two. Without one, a focused certification study combined with entry-level IT experience, like a help desk role, can get you there in two to three years.

Is Network Administration Stressful?

It can be, but not overly so. It's stressful at times, but the stakes are more 'conference room Wi-Fi is down' than 'the market is crashing.' Unexpected outages, urgent troubleshooting calls, and the pressure to keep critical systems online can mean that everything doesn't always go as planned. That said, most admins find the problem-solving aspect rewarding.