ICT network administrator
Snapshot
Are you fascinated by the technology that connects us all? As an ICT network administrator, you'll be the guardian of data networks, ensuring smooth and secure communication for organizations of all sizes.
ICT network administrators are vital for maintaining the operational health of an organization’s data communications network. Your days will involve a diverse range of tasks, from configuring routers and firewalls to managing servers and deploying software updates. You’ll be responsible for troubleshooting network issues, implementing security measures, and ensuring the reliable flow of information across local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), intranets, and the internet. This role requires a strong technical aptitude, problem-solving skills, and a commitment to keeping networks secure and efficient.
- • Configure and maintain network devices such as routers, switches, and firewalls.
- • Manage network security, including implementing intrusion detection systems and applying security patches.
- • Administer servers (file servers, VPN gateways) and ensure their optimal performance.
Where this occupation is in demand
Reported labour shortages and surpluses, by year. Published for occupation groups, not for individual job titles.
Deeper colour: reported the same way in more consecutive years.
Figures cover Information and communications technology professionals — 75 jobs including this one.
In shortage: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia and 6 more.
Longest-running shortage: Austria, 3 years.
Select a place on the map to see its figures.
About this source›
Source: ELA/EURES labour shortages and surpluses. Readings are published at occupation-group level, and cover Europe. Editions differ in annex layout and country coverage, so a change between years does not always mean the labour market changed. Countries in grey were not reported, which is not the same as being in balance.
Explore More
Find your career path and explore the science behind our recommendations.
Could ICT network administrator fit you?
Answer three quick questions. This is not a full assessment — it is a teaser to help you decide whether to compare your profile.
Do you enjoy tasks that require Attention to Detail?
Do you enjoy tasks that require Analytical Thinking?
Do you enjoy tasks that require Dependability?
Future Outlook for ICT network administrator
The outlook for ICT network administrator reflects a balanced mix of automation exposure and durable, human-led work.
How are these scores calculated?
The Resilience Score (0–100) estimates how structurally protected this occupation is from automation and AI disruption, based on task-level analysis. Higher scores mean more human-judgment-intensive tasks. AI Exposure shows the estimated percentage of task hours that current AI capabilities could affect. These are model-derived structural indicators, not predictions about individual job security.
How could ICT network administrator change as AI adoption grows?
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
How could ICT network administrator change as AI adoption grows?
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
How AI may change this role
Deterministic, model-based interpretation of current role signals — not a guarantee of replacement.
What still depends on people
- apply ICT system usage policies
Where AI may become a co-pilot
- forecast future ICT network needs
- interpret technical texts
- define firewall rules
Tasks most exposed to automation
- maintain internet protocol configuration
- manage email hosting service
Vital Signs & AI Vectors
AI Exposure Vectors
0-100%Exposure to AI-assisted analysis, pattern recognition, and predictive modelling tasks
Exposure to workflow automation, decision-support software, and process digitisation
Exposure to content generation, creative augmentation, and large language model tools
Exposure to physical automation, robotics, and sensor-driven task displacement
Technical Details
NexFuture v3.0 estimates automation exposure natively from ESCO essential-skill groups, weighted by skill mass and calibrated against expert anchors. Scores are probabilistic estimates, not guarantees. See the NexFuture Methodology White Paper for full details.
Measures automation exposure. It does not measure pay, demand, or how many jobs exist near you.
What people in this role usually do
Digital Technology
A typical day as a ICT network administrator
09 09:00 · Morning design computer network
10 10:30 · Mid-morning adjust ICT system capacity
12 12:00 · Midday analyse network bandwidth requirements
14 14:00 · Afternoon apply ICT system usage policies
15 15:30 · Late afternoon define firewall rules
17 17:00 · Wrap-up forecast future ICT network needs
Task order is illustrative. Individual days vary.
-
cloud technologies
The technologies which enable access to hardware, software, data and services through remote servers and software networks irrespective of their location and architecture.
-
cyber attack counter-measures
Methods, technologies and techniques used to defend (detect, monitor and recover) against cyber attacks. These cyber attacks include several attack vectors such as malware, denial of service (DoS) attacks and phishing. Intrusion prevention systems (IPS), firewall, antivirus, intrusion detection systems (IDS), cybersecurity training, backup, Information Security Management System (ISM), multi-factor authentication and employ awareness, are some examples of the methods used.
-
ICT network routing
The processes and techniques for choosing the best paths within an ICT network through which a packet can travel.
-
ICT network security risks
The security risk factors, such as hardware and software components, devices, interfaces and policies in ICT networks, risk assessment techniques that can be applied to assess the severity and the consequences of security threats and contingency plans for each security risk factor.
-
ICT performance analysis methods
The methods used to analyse software, ICT system and network performance which provide guidance to root causes of issues within information systems. The methods can analyse resource bottlenecks, application times, wait latencies and benchmarking results.
-
ICT security legislation
The set of legislative rules that safeguards information technology, ICT networks and computer systems and legal consequences which result from their misuse. Regulated measures include firewalls, intrusion detection, anti-virus software and encryption.
-
define firewall rules
Specify rules to govern a set of components aiming to limit access between groups of networks or a particular network and the internet.
-
implement ICT security policies
Implement statements, assertions or rules that specify the appropriate use and protection of the ICT assets and systems from an organisation. These ICT security policies cover topics such as data classification, password management, access control and incident response.
-
use back-up and recovery tools
Use tools which allow users to copy and archive computer software, configurations and data and recover them in case of loss.
-
implement a virtual private network
Create an encrypted connection between private networks, such as different local networks of a company, over the internet to ensure that only authorized users can access it and that the data cannot be intercepted.
-
implement anti-virus software
Download, install and update software to prevent, detect and remove malicious software, such as computer viruses.
-
perform backups
Implement backup procedures to backup data and systems to ensure permanent and reliable system operation. Execute data backups in order to secure information by copying and archiving to ensure integrity during system integration and after data loss occurrence.
-
manage ICT virtualisation environments
Oversee tools, such as VMware, kvm, Xen, Docker, Kubernetes, and others, used to enable a virtual environments for different purposes such as hardware virtualization, desktop virtualisation, and operating system level virtualisation.
-
adjust ICT system capacity
Change the scope of an ICT system by adding or reallocating additional ICT system components, such as network components, servers or storage to meet capacity or volume demands.
-
implement ICT network diagnostic tools
Use software tools or components that monitor ICT network parameters, such as performance and throughput, provide data and statistics, diagnose errors, failures or bottlenecks and support decision making.
-
analyse network bandwidth requirements
Study the requirements on the transmission capacity of an ICT network or other telecommunication system.
-
integrate system components
Select and use integration techniques and tools to plan and implement integration of hardware and software modules and components in a system.
-
maintain internet protocol configuration
Apply Internet Protocol Configuration (ipconfig) to gather data on Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) configuration values in order to identify devices and their IP addresses.
-
manage email hosting service
Oversee the day-to-day running of a private email platform by maintaining and refining provided services, such as spam and virus protection, blocking advertisement, website redesigns and search engine optimisation.
-
design computer network
Develop and plan ICT networks, such as wide area network and local area network, that connect computers using cable or wireless connections and allow them to exchange data and assess their capacity requirements.
-
interpret technical texts
Read and understand technical texts that provide information on how to perform a task, usually explained in steps.
-
install electronic communication equipment
Set up and deploy digital and analogue electronic communications. Understand electronic diagrams and equipment specifications.
-
forecast future ICT network needs
Identify current data traffic and estimate how growth will affect the ICT network.
-
apply ICT system usage policies
Follow written and ethical laws and policies regarding proper ICT system usage and administration.
Skill DNA
Work personality traits and values that define this role
See whether this role fits your Career DNA
Take the free Career DNA assessment to see how ICT network administrator aligns with your interests, work style, and future path. In less than 10 minutes, you will get a personalized fit signal and a roadmap for what to do next.
Scan to continue on mobileGrowth Pathways & Similar Roles
Explore typical career progression paths, adjacent skills, and similar roles to plan your next transition.
Where does ICT network administrator fit?
Similarity scores based on skill overlap from ESCO data.
Frequently asked questions
- What kind of technical skills are most important for an ICT network administrator?
- A strong understanding of networking concepts, TCP/IP protocols, routing protocols (like OSPF and BGP), and security principles is essential. Experience with server administration, firewall configuration, and network monitoring tools is also highly valuable.
- Is this role primarily office-based, or does it involve on-site work?
- While the core responsibilities are often performed in an office environment, ICT network administrators may occasionally need to be on-site to address hardware issues or perform maintenance tasks. The specific requirements can vary depending on the organization and the complexity of the network.
- I'm considering a career change. What's a typical career path to becoming an ICT network administrator?
- Many ICT network administrators start with a foundation in IT support or system administration. Relevant certifications and ongoing professional development are key to advancing your skills and knowledge. A bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field can also be beneficial.
- ICT Network Administrator — is there a shortage in Europe?
- Yes. In the 2025 ELA/EURES edition, a shortage was reported in 10 of the 12 European countries that assessed this occupation group: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark and 6 more. Austria has reported one for 3 consecutive years. These assessments are published per occupation group rather than per job title.
- ICT Network Administrator — what does it pay in the United States?
- $73,340 a year at the median, as of 2025-05. State medians run from $39,570 to $101,750. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is a United States figure and not a projection for Europe.