Explore a fulfilling and exciting career in server administration, a field that encompasses skills in software and hardware upgrades, database security, data management, and programming languages such as Java, C++, and Python. Understand why server administrators are crucial to managing and securing company data, providing an average salary of $70,000 in the US, and are expected to see a 4% job growth from 2019 to 2029.
Key Insights
- Server administration is a rewarding career involving the management of computer servers, upgrading software and hardware, data management, and developing processes and protocols.
- Server Administrators need knowledge in programming languages such as Java, C++, Python, and how to create custom databases.
- The average salary for Server Administrators in the US is $70,000 a year, with a job growth expected to increase by 4% from 2019 to 2029.
- Professional training in server administration costs between $8,000-$14,000 with different certificates costing extra. For example, Microsoft and Linux offer certifications for $165 and $200 each, respectively.
- Noble Desktop offers comprehensive courses in server administration, with specific courses like the Cybersecurity Bootcamp and the SQL Server Bootcamp.
- Free online courses are available for beginners in server administration, available on platforms like Youtube, Coursera, and Udemy.
The cost of launching a career in server administration varies for every individual. Factors include pursuing professional training vs. self-learning. The cost of server administration classes will vary between institutions and the depth of training offered. Even if you learn server administration independently, you may spend money purchasing individual training resources or tools. Some individuals may even pursue a hybrid path: self-learning the basics and seeking professional training in more advanced skills. There’s also the question of becoming certified in server administration. Certification will cost more than if you don’t. However, becoming certified can increase your job prospects or salary.
What is Server Administration?
Server administration involves the management of computer servers. It includes several tasks, such as upgrading software and hardware, storing and organizing data, and developing processes and protocols. Server Administrators work with end-users to access information, recover lost passwords, and troubleshoot technical problems with both hardware and software. Server Administrators also play an important role in cybersecurity. They are responsible for updating database security, including setting up antivirus and firewall programs. They work closely with the IT team to update protocols and processes and educate end-users on security best practices.
Server Administrators play a crucial role in managing and securing company data and information. Individuals interested in a career as a Server Administrator require coding knowledge in programming languages such as Java, C++, and Python. They also need to know how to set up and create custom databases. Server Administrators make an average salary in the US of $70,000 a year, though this may swing heavily in either direction depending on your area. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job growth for server administrators is expected to grow by 4% from 2019 to 2029.
Read more about what server administration is and why you should learn it.
What Can You Do with Server Administration?
Server administration can be an exciting and fulfilling career. Server Administrators play a vital role in maintaining company information and troubleshooting end-user issues. In this way, Server Administrators know their services are always needed to help the company and its employees flourish. Serving in an essential role can lead to a sense of fulfillment with seeing that one’s job duties have a daily impact. Every company needs ways to manage its data and keep information secure in today's digital world. Thus, Server Administrators can impact virtually any industry of their choosing.
Server administration is an excellent role for individuals who enjoy problem-solving. Whether troubleshooting hardware, identifying needed systems patches or analyzing system logs, Server Administrators face daily challenges and get to flex their intellectual muscles. Server Administrators also experience the thrill of working with new technologies. Over the past few decades, Server Administrators have moved from physical servers to cloud servers. Cybersecurity threats also continue to grow and involve. For individuals who like learning new things, Server administration possesses opportunities for gaining new skills and talents.
Server Administrators learn various cybersecurity and database management skills and programming languages. Professionals who learn server administration skills can pursue other careers by further focusing on cybersecurity, database management, or computer science skills. Server Administrators can pursue positions in IT, Cybersecurity, or Web Development, to name a few.
In-Depth Review of the Cost
Should you pursue professional training in server administration, costs vary between $8,000-$14,000, and courses last three to six months (depending on full or part-time schedules). Noble Desktop offers a Cybersecurity Bootcamp that costs $7,995. This course provides comprehensive learning in server administration concepts with robust training in protecting applications and networks. Students also learn Python, Linux, and cloud computing. All courses in the cybersecurity bootcamp are available separately. However, taking each course separately would cost $11,155. SQL Server Bootcamp, another popular server administration coding language, is offered separately for $975.
Pursuing a certificate in server administration will vary depending on the institution you choose. Microsoft and Linux offer certifications, managing servers with their operating systems for $165 and $200 each, respectively. Linux certifications expire after five years and need to be retaken. CompTIA offers vendor-neutral server certifications in general server administration skills, ranging in cost from $300-$400 each. Bundles are offered for an additional cost, including retake options and exam prep materials.
Why Learn Server Administration?
Anyone wishing to work in cybersecurity or web development should know server administration. The skill is essential for entrepreneurs and small businesses to manage their servers, protect against cyberattacks, and deploy stable web applications.
Even if you don’t pursue server administration as a career, learning server administration can give you various skills that will improve your resume or assist with a future career in computer science, IT, or web development. Such skills include coding languages, database administration, and cybersecurity. Server Administrators also gain soft skills in organization, problem-solving, attention to detail, and customer service.
Server Administrators play a vital role in maintaining and securing company data and personal employee information. They also assist in troubleshooting and keeping hardware and software up to date. Without Server Administrators, a company puts its data and digital security at risk. Professionals pursuing server administration can be assured of job security and take pride in their essential role within a company.
Read more about why you should learn server administration.
Free Introductory Server Administration Course Online
Not ready to dive into a complete course on server administration? You can start learning server administration for free online. Free online courses teach necessary server administration skills, such as Linux for server management and security, SQL for server management, Windows server administration, database administration, IT support, and cybersecurity fundamentals. You can find these courses through skill-sharing websites such as Youtube, Coursera, or Udemy.
Free online courses are ideal for beginner learners as they embark on their journey. Free courses can be helpful since they often feature overviews of a skill or program. While these classes can be valuable and cost-effective for beginners, most provide only basics. Free courses also often feature outdated programs or industry standards. Individuals looking to learn server administration to jumpstart a new career likely need to attend professionally-led classes.
Read about more free server administration videos and online tutorials.
Learn Cybersecurity & Tech Skills with Hands-on Training at Noble Desktop
Server Administrators require cloud computing, cybersecurity, and database administration skills. Individuals can learn all of these skills through Noble Desktop. Their small class sizes feature industry-expert instructors with free retake options. Courses can be taken in-person in NYC or online from anywhere.
Cloud Computing with AWS focuses on Amazon Web Services (AWS), one of the most popular cloud computing platforms. Students learn how to build and secure enterprise-level cloud environments with AWS.
Python is a coding language commonly used by Server Administrators. Noble Desktop offers Python for Network Security, where students learn how to use Python for network monitoring and security. Students must be comfortable coding with Python or have attended Noble Desktop’s Python Programming Bootcamp.
The previously mentioned courses are available through Noble Desktop’s Cybersecurity Bootcamp. In this extensive course, students learn cybersecurity threats and prevention practices and how to use Python for cybersecurity, Linux for cybersecurity, digital forensics, and cloud computing. Individuals can also view all of Noble Desktop’s cybersecurity courses should they wish to take them individually.
An additional course not included in the Cybersecurity Bootcamp that Server Administrators may be interested in is the SQL Server Bootcamp. Students learn the coding language SQL for managing databases, querying information, and extracting insights.