Computer Network Administrator

NOC #22220

  • Environment Primarily indoor/office work
  • Education Post-secondary degree
  • Average salary $66,000 to $93,000

Career profile

Computer network administrators install, configure, and support a company’s local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), including internet systems or specific segments of a network system. They are responsible for the overall day-to-day maintenance, operation and upkeep of a company’s various hardware and software assets. These networks are increasingly wireless. Computer network administrators support system users, including troubleshooting users’ computer or network issues and may perform maintenance to address these issues.

Computer network administrators usually work in teams within large companies but may be the sole IT/network expert in a smaller company.

Exploration and production, Oil and gas services, Pipelines, Oil sands

In this occupation activities may include:

  • Maintaining networks, computer workstations and other connected equipment such as printers
  • Helping users solve problems
  • Controlling and monitoring e-mail use, internet navigation and installed software
  • Troubleshooting, repairing and administering local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), mainframe networks, computer workstations, connections to the Internet and peripheral equipment
  • Evaluating and installing computer hardware, networking software, operating system software and software applications

Education

  • A bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related field is typically required.

Certification

  • Some employers require applicants to become trained or certified for a specific type of network environment
  • Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) / Microsoft Certified System Engineer (MCSE)
  • Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA), Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)
  • There may be a preference for certification/experience with Java, VB.Net, JavaScript, XML, PL/SQL

Licensing

  • The title Information Systems Professional is a protected title under Alberta’s Professional and Occupational Associations Registration Act. An IT practitioner does not have to be registered if they do not refer to themselves as an Information Systems Professional.

Additional Requirements

  • Specific health and safety certifications may be required, determined by location of work and company requirements

  • Travel likely required
  • Primarily indoor/office work
  • Work not physically demanding

Computer network administrators are often working on several projects and problems at the same time, so they need to be organized. They also have strong interpersonal and communication skills that allow them to explain technical information to non-technical people.

  • Clerical
  • Computers and Electronics
  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Cyber/Data Security
  • Understanding Risk
  • Equipment Maintenance
  • Programming
  • Systems Evaluation and Analysis
  • Troubleshooting
  • Collaborative