How to hire network and computer systems administrators
A job description you can copy, interview questions tied to the real work, and what to pay. Free.
Job description template
Copy it, fill in the brackets, and remove anything that does not fit your job. Keep only must-haves you would really turn someone away for.
[Job title] at [Company name] [City, State] · [Full-time / Part-time] · [Pay range] About the role [Two or three sentences about your team, the work and why it matters.] What you will do • Confer with network users about solutions to existing system problems. • Configure, monitor, and maintain email applications or virus protection software. • Diagnose, troubleshoot, and resolve hardware, software, or other network and system problems, and replace defective components when necessary. • Maintain and administer computer networks and related computing environments, including computer hardware, systems software, applications software, and all configurations. • Maintain logs related to network functions, as well as maintenance and repair records. • Operate master consoles to monitor the performance of computer systems and networks and to coordinate computer network access and use. • Perform data backups and disaster recovery operations. • Plan, coordinate, and implement network security measures to protect data, software, and hardware. What you bring • [Required license, certification or years of experience, if any] • [Education, only if you truly need it. Typical to start in this job: Bachelor's degree] • Strong active listening, critical thinking, monitoring, reading comprehension, speaking and active learning skills • Working knowledge of computers and electronics and telecommunications • [Anything else you would really turn someone away for] Pay and benefits [Pay range]. For reference, the U.S. median for this job is $47.66 an hour ($99,130 a year). [Benefits, schedule and anything else candidates should know.] How to apply [Apply on JAI Bot. Every applicant hears back.]
Interview questions for network and computer systems administrators
Ask every candidate the same questions, in the same order, and write down what they say. Questions about past work show what someone has actually done.
- Tell me about a time you had to confer with network users about solutions to existing system problems. What did you do, and how did it turn out?
- Tell me about a time you had to configure, monitor, and maintain email applications or virus protection software. What did you do, and how did it turn out?
- Tell me about a time you had to diagnose, troubleshoot, and resolve hardware, software, or other network and system problems, and replace defective components when necessary. What did you do, and how did it turn out?
- Tell me about a time you had to maintain and administer computer networks and related computing environments, including computer hardware, systems software, applications software, and all configurations. What did you do, and how did it turn out?
- Tell me about a time you had to understand a request or problem that was explained poorly. How did you make sure you got it right?
- Describe a decision at work where the obvious answer was wrong. How did you work out the better choice?
- How do you keep track of your own work quality during a busy shift or week? Give an example of catching a problem early.
- Why this job, and why now? What would make you stay here for the long term?
Good answers name a real situation, what the person did themselves and what happened. Avoid questions about age, family plans, religion, health, national origin or anything else unrelated to the job.
What network and computer systems administrators do
- Confer with network users about solutions to existing system problems.
- Configure, monitor, and maintain email applications or virus protection software.
- Diagnose, troubleshoot, and resolve hardware, software, or other network and system problems, and replace defective components when necessary.
- Maintain and administer computer networks and related computing environments, including computer hardware, systems software, applications software, and all configurations.
- Maintain logs related to network functions, as well as maintenance and repair records.
- Operate master consoles to monitor the performance of computer systems and networks and to coordinate computer network access and use.
- Perform data backups and disaster recovery operations.
- Plan, coordinate, and implement network security measures to protect data, software, and hardware.
Skills that matter most
Education, experience and outlook for network and computer systems administrators
- Typical education to start: Bachelor's degree (BLS)
- Job outlook: -4.1% over ten years, declining · about 13,400 openings a year (BLS)
What to pay network and computer systems administrators
Pay depends a lot on where the job is. Highest and lowest median yearly pay by state:
| State | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Maryland | $118,290 |
| New Jersey | $116,420 |
| Massachusetts | $110,980 |
| District of Columbia | $110,970 |
| Virginia | $109,610 |
| Wyoming | $75,220 |
| South Dakota | $75,010 |
| West Virginia | $74,490 |
See network and computer systems administrators pay in every state
Related hiring guides
- Computer Systems Analysts
- Information Security Analysts
- Computer and Information Research Scientists
- Computer Network Support Specialists
- Computer User Support Specialists
- Computer Network Architects
- Database Administrators
- Database Architects
- Computer Programmers
- Software Developers
Post this job on JAI Bot. Free to start: JAI Bot reads every applicant against your must-haves, shows the resume evidence behind each one, and helps you reply to everyone. People make every decision.
Post a job freePay by areaJob duties and skills: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. Pay: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, May 2025. Interview questions and the job description template: JAI Bot, based on the duties and skills above.