Network and Systems Administrators

Network and Systems Administrators are the backbone of modern technology infrastructure, ensuring that our digital world runs smoothly and securely. With the increasing reliance on technology across all sectors in the UK, these professionals play a vital role in maintaining connectivity, safeguarding data, and optimizing system performance.

Network and Systems Administrators

45

Computer Science

AI IMPACT
AI CAN DO45%moving to83%
THE DOOR, NOWC
THE DOOR, 20 YRSE
STARTING PAY£25,000 - £30,000
NO MOATNo physical, legal or personal barrier protects this work from software.
AI helps here, but has not taken over
AI can already do some of this job, but the day-to-day work still leans on a person to decide, check and take responsibility. Nothing formally protects this job though, so the safest move is to keep building the judgement AI cannot yet copy.

Career progression path

1FIRST STEPJunior Network AdministratorAs a Junior Network Administrator, you will assist in maintaining network systems and providing support to users. This role is ideal for recent graduates or those with entry-level IT experience.£25,000 - £30,000
2GAINING EXPERIENCEMid-Level Systems AdministratorIn this role, you will take on more complex tasks, including system upgrades and security management. You will be expected to work independently and lead projects.£35,000 - £45,000
3PEAK CAREERSenior Network ArchitectAs a Senior Network Architect, you will design and implement network solutions for large organisations. You will lead teams and be responsible for strategic planning and decision-making.£50,000+
There is more than one way in

You do not have to go the university route to get here. There is an apprenticeship route into this career. There is also a vocational route that skips a degree entirely.

Careermash

Careermash: navigate your career path with real data. Explore career profiles, salary benchmarks, AI impact forecasts, and the qualifications you need to get there.


AI EXPOSURE = the share of a job's day-to-day tasks AI can already do today, from the same exposure engine used across this site (Anthropic labour market research, 2026, observed real-world AI usage by occupation). Higher means more exposed. It is a measurement of now, not a prediction. THE DOOR = how hard the job is to get into, grade A (easy) to E (extremely hard), from each career's published forecast (OpenAI, "The AI Jobs Transition Framework", Richmond 2026, CC BY 4.0). A card marked MOAT NOT YET CLASSIFIED has a real exposure score but no entry yet in our moat register, so we make no claim about what structurally protects it. Scorecard grades and verdicts are Careermash editorial judgment: we show forecasts as forecasts and own our conclusions. Salary and pathway figures are each career's own published profile. Careermash is a service provided by What School Ltd.

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