Network and Computer Systems Administrator Career Assessment
Running the servers and systems behind the scenes — ND in-demand occupation (not on the WIOA-approved list)
Welcome
Network and computer systems administrators ("sysadmins") run the servers, user accounts, email, and cloud systems that an organization depends on every day.
This is often the next step after help desk or network support. You will explore what the job is really like and whether it fits you.
This takes about 15 minutes.
What is a Network and Computer Systems Administrator?
A systems administrator installs, sets up, and takes care of an organization's computer systems. They manage servers, user accounts, backups, email, and security settings, so everything runs safely and smoothly.
The Reality: You hold the "keys to the kingdom." You can see and change almost everything. That means one mistake can affect the whole company, and you must be trustworthy and careful.
Your Responsibilities:
- Manage servers (on-site and in the cloud)
- Create and manage user accounts and permissions
- Run and test backups so data is never lost
- Install updates and security patches
- Watch system performance and fix slowdowns
- Plan upgrades and new systems
- Write scripts to automate repeat tasks
- Lead fixes when big problems happen
You are the caretaker of the systems everyone else relies on.
A Day in the Life
7:30 AM — Check last night's backups. One failed. You find the cause and re-run it.
8:30 AM — Team meeting: plan a weekend upgrade of the email system.
9:30 AM — Create accounts for three new employees. Give them only the access they need.
10:30 AM — A server is running slow. You find a full disk and clean it up.
12:00 PM — Lunch.
1:00 PM — Write a short script so new-user setup takes 5 minutes instead of 30.
2:30 PM — Review security alerts with the security team.
3:30 PM — Help a network tech fix a tough problem.
Saturday 6:00 AM — Upgrade day. You install updates while the office is closed, then test everything.
Planning, fixing, and protecting, with some early mornings and weekends.
Training in North Dakota
No state license is needed. Many employers want a bachelor's degree, but experience and certifications count a lot. Many sysadmins started at the help desk with a 2-year degree and worked their way up.
Training Pathways:
- Work your way up (common): Help desk or network support first, plus certifications, then promote into a sysadmin role.
- Associate degree (2 years): Covers servers, networks, and security. Many ND employers hire from these programs.
- Bachelor's degree (4 years): Opens more doors, especially for larger employers and management later.
Where to Train in North Dakota:
- ND State College of Science (Wahpeton and Fargo) — Information Systems Administrator AAS
- Bismarck State College (Bismarck) — Cybersecurity and Computer Networks AAS; Modern Computing (Linux) certificate; Cybersecurity and Information Technology BAS (4-year)
- Lake Region State College (Devils Lake) — Information Technology AAS
- Williston State College (Williston) — Information Technology AAS (Networking or Cyber Security option)
- Dakota College at Bottineau (Bottineau and Minot) — Information Technology AAS
Before You Start: High school diploma or GED. Most people have 1–3 years of IT work before they are hired as a sysadmin. A clean background check is required for most jobs.
Tip: Start with financial aid, scholarships, and any help an employer offers — that is where the money starts. After that, ask a career counselor or Job Service North Dakota whether WIOA or other programs can help with what is left over, like training, exam fees, or a laptop. What can be paid for depends on the program and on your own situation, so ask before you sign up rather than after. Many IT certifications are also sold as low-cost online courses you can do at home.
Certification & Licensing
No license. Certifications and experience matter most. Sysadmins usually hold several certifications that match the systems their employer uses.
Certifications Employers Look For:
- CompTIA Network+ and Security+ — common foundations
- Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104) — for Microsoft cloud systems, very common in ND
- CompTIA Linux+ or Red Hat (RHCSA) — for Linux servers
- AWS Certified SysOps Administrator — for Amazon cloud systems
The Exams: Most exams are 90–150 minutes with multiple-choice and hands-on questions. Red Hat exams are fully hands-on.
Cost: About $165 (Microsoft AZ-104) to about $400 (Security+) per exam. Prices change, so check before you buy.
Keeping It Current: Most certifications last 1–3 years. Microsoft offers free online renewal tests each year.
Salary & Job Outlook
North Dakota Network and Computer Systems Administrator Pay (May 2025):
- Starting out (bottom 10–25%): $29.32–$35.24/hour ($60,980–$73,290/year)
- Middle (median — half earn more, half earn less): $41.56/hour ($86,450/year)
- Experienced (top 25–10%): $48.97–$58.00/hour ($101,860–$120,650/year)
What that means: Pay is strong. Most people reach this job after a few years of IT work, so the starting numbers reflect some experience.
Jobs in North Dakota: About 940 people do this work in ND today. By 2034, that should be about 930 (about the same, a 1% dip). Expect about 40 job openings every year in ND from growth and people retiring or changing jobs. Across the U.S., the change is about 4% fewer jobs.
Outlook: Flat. As companies move to the cloud, fewer traditional sysadmin jobs are needed, but openings still come up every year as people retire or move on. Cloud and automation skills are the key to staying in demand.
Who Hires in ND: State government, hospitals and health systems, banks and insurance companies, colleges and school districts, energy and utility companies, manufacturers, and IT service companies.
Work Setting: Offices and server rooms. Many jobs allow some remote work. Upgrades usually happen at night or on weekends, and on-call weeks are common.
Physical Demands: Light. Mostly desk and computer work. Some lifting of servers and equipment.
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, North Dakota, May 2025 (SOC 15-1244); North Dakota and U.S. long-term employment projections 2024–2034, via O*NET OnLine. Numbers are rounded.
Where This Leads
Path 1: Cloud Engineer — Build and run systems in Azure or AWS. High demand, high pay.
Path 2: Cybersecurity Analyst or Engineer — Use your system knowledge to protect them.
Path 3: DevOps Engineer — Automate how software gets built and delivered.
Path 4: IT Manager or Director — Lead the IT team and budget.
Path 5: Solutions Architect — Design big systems for companies.
Path 6: Consultant — Help many small businesses run their IT.
The Real Talk
What's Great:
- Strong pay and benefits
- Respected, trusted role
- Mix of planning and problem-solving
- Some remote work options
- Many paths to even higher pay
- Scripting makes your work easier over time
What's Hard:
- After-hours upgrades and on-call weeks
- High responsibility; mistakes affect everyone
- You must keep learning (cloud changes fast)
- Fewer traditional jobs as companies move to cloud
- Usually need years of IT experience first
- Stress during outages and security incidents
- Lots of screen time
Be Honest: Can you handle being responsible for systems the whole company uses? Are you careful and detail-focused? Will you give up some nights and weekends? Are you ready to learn cloud and scripting?