JobMinglrJobMinglr
← All career paths

Technology

How to become a Systems Administrator

Runs the servers, accounts and infrastructure a company's employees depend on every day. From help desk: every step, how long it takes, and the credential it earns.

Time to get there
2–4 years
Typical pay
$68k–$92k
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 A+ commonly accepted as an entry point
  • 1–2 years of help desk experience first
  • Windows Server and Linux fundamentals expected
See systems administrator jobs open now

The route

  1. Move up from help desk

    The natural progression, and the one hiring managers expect.

    Typical titles at this level

    • Help Desk Technician
    • IT Support Specialist
    • Desktop Support Technician
    Course that covers thisCompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201) & Core 2 (220-1202) Full CourseUdemy · around $19.99

  2. Learn Windows Server and Linux

    Active Directory, group policy, and enough bash to be dangerous.

  3. Get scripting

    PowerShell or Python. Automating your own job is how you get time to grow.

    Course that covers this380+ Exercises - Python Programming Mega Pack - Built-inUdemy · around $19.99

  4. Add a cloud certification

    Pure on-prem sysadmin roles are shrinking; hybrid skills are not.

    Azure Administrator

    Get it from Microsoft

    Course that covers thisAZ-900: Microsoft Azure Fundamentals 6 Practice Tests 2026Udemy · around $19.99

  5. Destination

    Systems Administrator

    Browse jobs now

Course links are Udemy affiliate links. We earn a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you.