Technology
How to become a Network Administrator
Keeps a company's servers, routers and switches running, and is usually the first call when the network goes down. From help desk: every step, how long it takes, and the credential it earns.
- Time to get there
- 1–3 years
- Typical pay
- $62k–$82k
- Starting from
- Help desk
Pay is an estimate of typical US entry-level pay for this role and varies by state, employer and shift. The timeline assumes you are starting from help desk and includes any licence or programme legally required, not just course length.
Commonly asked for
- Associate degree or CompTIA certifications commonly accepted in place of a bachelor's
- 1–2 years of help desk or IT support experience
- Network+ or CCNA often listed in postings
The route
Come from help desk or get Network+
You need to have touched real networks before the theory means anything.
Course that covers thisCompTIA Network+ N10-009 (V9) Practice Exam QuestionsUdemy · around $19.99Typical titles at this level
- Help Desk Technician
- IT Support Specialist
- Desktop Support Technician
Study CCNA
Routing, switching, VLANs and subnetting. Still the standard for network work.
Course that covers thisCISCO CCNA 200-301 Practice Exams (6) + ExplanationsUdemy · around $19.99Pass the CCNA exam
Cisco's associate certification — recognised everywhere, including non-Cisco shops.
Cisco CCNA
Run a production network
Own the switches, the firewall rules and the on-call phone.
- Browse jobs now
Destination
Network Administrator
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