Also called: Sysadmin, IT Administrator
Installs, configures, and maintains an organization's servers, networks, and computers.
You set up new servers, push security updates to 500 laptops, and figure out why the Wi-Fi keeps dropping in the east wing. At a small company, you might be the only IT person.
May 2024 BLS median $96,800; May 2025 slightly higher.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Bachelor's common; some jobs accept an associate plus certifications.
Ways in: 4-year college, 2-year college, Certification, Military. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Information Technology, Computer Science, Network Administration.
Shrinking (about -4% over 10 years). BLS projected a 4% decline (2024-34) as cloud services replace on-site servers.
Medium risk in 5 years, high in 10. Cloud services and AI automation now manage servers and patches, steadily cutting in-house admin jobs.
Classes: AP Computer Science Principles, Computer applications.
Official data: O*NET occupation 15-1244.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.