Systems & Network Administrator: Salary and Responsibilities in 2026

The systems administrator is an essential role in any company that owns a fleet of computers or networked machines. This role can therefore be found in any type of sector or company.

That said, since the rise of Cloud Computing and outsourced "As a Service" offerings (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS), most companies delegate the management of this infrastructure to specialized providers, which lets them reduce their operating costs (hardware, maintenance, usage), reduce their internal skill requirements, and save valuable time.

Job profile last updated on 09/06/2026.

Which companies hire Systems and Network Administrators?

Companies that have chosen to keep their infrastructure in-house. This is mainly large groups (industry, banks, etc.), server hosting providers and Cloud Computing companies (AWS, OVH, Azure, etc.), but also smaller companies that need - for security or operational reasons - to keep their hands on their infrastructure so they can intervene at any time.

Why do companies need this role?

Companies that make this choice are often more dependent than others on managing their technical infrastructure, where their service and their precious data live. The slightest outage, network issue, or security breach can significantly impact the company's activity and business.

Understanding, mastering, and evolving a company's IT systems isn't easy and requires solid knowledge across several areas: storage, networks, security, and systems.

A technical profile capable of managing the overall organization of networks and IT systems is therefore essential to ensure consistency across all IT resources (hardware, applications, databases, middleware, networks, and operating systems).

Who does the Systems Administrator work with inside the company?

The systems and network administrator works with several profiles depending on the type and size of the company. They can be found working with:

• CIO (IT Director)
• CTO / Technical Director
• Database administrator: often a spin-off from the systems and network admin role; they work hand in hand and depend on each other.

The role can also be split into two specializations depending on need:

• Systems Administrator
• Network Administrator

What is their role on the team?

Often very versatile, the systems and network administrator can wear several hats within the company.

• Define the company's needs in terms of hardware and software based on use cases
• Configure computer hardware and software to fit the need (speed, volume, security) and integrate/connect them to the company's internal network
• Manage usage of servers, the network, and employees' computing work environments
• Maintain computer hardware (networks, servers, hardware, storage)
• Security: manage access rights to company data (users, services, externals, etc.)

Which technologies do they use? Are there several environments?

• Mastery of databases (SQL Server, Oracle, etc.),
• Knowledge of various operating systems and mastery of at least one: Linux, Mac OS, Windows, etc.
• Knowledge of networks (communication and connection protocols, network cabling, routers…)

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FAQ about the Systems and Network Administrator role

What is the difference between a systems administrator and a network administrator?

A systems administrator manages servers, operating systems, databases, and applications. A network administrator focuses on network equipment (routers, switches, firewalls), communication protocols, and connectivity. In smaller organisations, both responsibilities are often handled by the same person.

Which certifications are recommended for a systems and network administrator?

Cisco certifications (CCNA, CCNP) are essential for network-focused profiles. For systems, Red Hat (RHCSA, RHCE), Microsoft (MCSA, Azure Administrator), and CompTIA (A+, Network+, Security+) certifications are highly valued. Cloud certifications (AWS, Azure, GCP) are increasingly important as hybrid cloud becomes standard.

What is the salary of a systems and network administrator in France in 2026?

In France, a junior systems and network administrator typically earns between €28,000 and €38,000 gross per year. A confirmed profile earns between €38,000 and €50,000. A senior administrator with significant responsibilities or security expertise can reach €55,000 to €70,000 gross per year.

Which sectors hire systems and network administrators?

All sectors with in-house IT infrastructure: banking and insurance, manufacturing, healthcare, local government, defence, cloud hosting providers, and large industrial groups. Companies that have chosen to keep their infrastructure on-premises rather than outsourcing are the main employers.

How does the rise of cloud computing affect the systems and network administrator role?

With cloud adoption, some traditional tasks (physical server maintenance, on-premise management) are being outsourced. The role is evolving towards managing hybrid infrastructures (on-premise + cloud), automating operations via Infrastructure as Code (Terraform, Ansible), and securing cloud access. Administrators who do not adapt to these shifts risk seeing their employability decline.

What technical skills are essential for a systems and network administrator?

Mastery of at least one operating system (Linux, Windows Server), knowledge of networking (TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, VPN), security management (firewalls, access rights, SIEM), and monitoring tools (Nagios, Zabbix, Grafana) are core requirements. Scripting skills (Bash, PowerShell, Python) are increasingly expected.

What is the difference between a systems administrator and a DevOps engineer?

A systems administrator manages and maintains existing infrastructure with a focus on stability and operations. A DevOps engineer automates and continuously improves deployment and infrastructure processes, bridging development and operations teams. DevOps adopts a more agile, development-oriented approach, whereas the sysadmin role typically remains closer to operations.

What are the career progression opportunities for a systems and network administrator?

Natural progressions include infrastructure manager, cloud architect, DevOps/SRE engineer, or cybersecurity manager. With experience and relevant certifications, some move into CIO deputy positions or infrastructure consulting. Specialisation in network and systems security is one of the most rewarding career paths in the market.