If you’re a system administrator or want to peruse your goal in the system administration field, this article is for you. The system administrator field increased at an unprecedented level previously. SysAdmins fill the void between business operations and ensure the smooth functioning of IT infrastructures. The article will provide you with complete and in-depth information about System administration certifications and reasons to become a system administrator and after reading you will make up your mind to acquire one such certification.
What is System Administrator?
A system administrator, sometimes called a server administrator, is an IT expert in charge of installing, maintaining, and operating a company’s computer network and systems. These individuals interact directly with an organization’s hardware and software to ensure that everything runs smoothly and safely.
Why Choose System Administrator as a Career Pathway?
System Administrators are the most in demand. This is a world of tech and every field related to it is a good career pathway. The position necessitates in-demand job skills such as server and client configuration and maintenance, as well as access controls, network services, and application resource needs. SysAdmin is considered the tech expert of the company. SysAdmin fills the gap in business operations. A recent SimplyHired search for “system administrator” yielded over 42,000 job posts. According to SimplyHired, the average compensation for system administrators is more than $75,000, with highs approaching $119,000. SysAdmin jobs are high in demand and this is the best field in terms of salary as well as growth. To advancing career as a system administrator and for better job roles you must acquire certifications. Below are the top system administrator certifications for expanding your career or starting your career as a system administrator.
Top 8 Picks for System Administrator Certifications
These top certifications will help you in the system administration field with a lot of perks and navigate your career path. You can acquire one of the following certifications depending on your area of expertise and knowledge level.
- Red Hat Certified System Administrator
- Red Hat Certified Engineer
- CompTIA Security+
- CompTIA Server+
- Cisco Certified Network Associate
- VMware- Data Center Virtualization 2022
- Microsoft Certified- Azure Fundamentals Associate
- Linux Professional Institute- LPIC-1
1- Red Hat Certified System Administrator
A Red Hat Certified System Administrator is capable of performing the essential system administration skills necessary in Red Hat Enterprise Linux settings.
Exam Details:
- Exam Format: Hands-on practical exam
- Exam Duration: 3 Hours
- Passing Criteria: Not defined- the results will directly send to candidates
- Validity Period: 3 years
- Exam Cost: Depend on the country
Prerequisites:
- The candidates must have taken RH124 or RH134 or RH199
- Or the candidate must have equivalent work experience as a system administrator or Red Hat Enterprise Linux.
Exam Domains:
Go through the RHCSA exam objectives
2- Red Hat Certified Engineer
A Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) is a Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA) who is prepared to automate Red Hat Enterprise Linux processes, integrate Red Hat emerging technologies, and use automation to improve efficiency and innovation. The Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) certificate allows you to show abilities necessary for system management in a DevOps setting.
Exam Details:
- Exam Format: Hands-on practical exam
- Exam Duration: 4 Hours
- Passing Criteria: Not defined- the results will directly send to candidates
- Validity Period: 3 years
- Exam Cost: Depend on the country
Prerequisites:
- The candidates must have RHCSA certified OR
- Red Hat System Administration I (RH124) and II (RH134), as well as the RHCSA Rapid Track Course (RH199)
- Red Hat System Administration III: Linux Ansible Automation (RH294)
- Exam Cost: Depend on the region or country
Exam Domains: Go through the Red Hat Certified Engineer exam objectives
3- CompTIA Security+
The certifications establish the fundamental knowledge required for any cybersecurity role and serve as a stepping stone to intermediate-level cybersecurity positions. Security+ includes best practices in hands-on troubleshooting and ensuring that candidates have basic practical security problem-solving skills. Candidates for beginners who find their passion in cybersecurity should do this certification.
Exam Details:
Test Format & Duration: The exam consists of 90 questions, and you will have 90 minutes to complete it. The exam questions will be multiple-choice and performance-based.
Passing Criteria: To pass the certification exam, candidates must obtain a minimum passing score of 750 on a scale of (100- 900).
Validity Period: 3 years after launch
Exam Cost: $394- varies across countries
Exam Domains:
- Attacks, threats, and Vulnerabilities
- Design and Architect
- Implementation
- Operations and Incident Response
- Governance, Risk & Compliance
Practice SY0-601 exam dump to pass certification
A review on CompTIA certification which you should get first
4- CompTIA Server+
CompTIA Server+ is a global certification that validates IT professionals’ practical knowledge of installing, operating, and troubleshooting servers in data centers, on-premises, and hybrid environments. CompTIA Server+ validates professionals’ competence to work in data centers or cloud environments.
Exam Details:
Test Format & Duration: The exam consists of 100 MCQs and Performance-based questions and you will have 90 minutes to complete it
Passing Criteria: 750 on a scale range of (100-900)
Validity Period: 3 years after launch
Exam Cost: $358
Prerequisites: Individuals with 18 to 24 months of IT experience who hold an A+ certification
Exam Domains:
- Server Hardware Installation & Management
- Server & Disaster Recovery
- Server Administration
- Troubleshooting
To pass the certification practice SK0-005 exam dump
A brief review on CompTIA stackable certifications to boost your career
5-Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
The CCNA certification demonstrates your ability to handle the ever-changing world of information technology. The CCNA exam covers networking fundamentals, IP services, basic security, automation, and programmability. The CCNA certification also verifies your ability to manage and optimize today’s advanced networks.
Exam Details:
- Test Format & Duration: The exam consists of 120 questions, and you will have 120 minutes to complete it. The exam questions will be multiple-choice, drag-and-drop, and fill in the blanks
- Passing Criteria: To pass the certification exam, candidates must obtain a minimum passing score of 800 out of 100.
- Prerequisites: No requirements
- Validity Period: 3 years
- Exam Cost: $300
Exam Domains:
- Network Fundamentals
- Network Access
- IP Connectivity
- IP Services
- Security Fundamentals
- Automation and Programmability
Practice: 200-301 exam dump
6- VMware- Data Center Virtualization 2022
The VCP-DCV 2022 certification demonstrates how to install, manage, and troubleshoot a vSphere infrastructure using the best practices, resulting in a strong, versatile, and secure foundation for business agility that may expedite the cloud computing transition.
Exam Details:
- Test Format & Duration: The exam consists of 130 questions, and you will have 70 minutes to complete it.
- Passing Criteria: To pass the certification exam, candidates must obtain a minimum passing score of 300 on a scale range.
- Date of Retirement/ Validity Period: Go to the credentials maintenance policy
- Exam Cost: $250
- Prerequisites: No requirements
Exam Domains:
- Technology and Architecture
- Products and Services
- Design and Planning
- Installation, Configuration, and Setup
- Performance Optimization and Upgrading
- Troubleshooting and Repairing
- Administrative and Operational Responsibilities
7- Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamental Associate
The Microsoft Azure environment, including virtual networks, storage, computing, identity, security, and governance, should be implemented, managed, and monitored by candidates for the Azure Administrator Associate certification.
Exam Details:
- Test Format & Duration: The exam consists of 40-60 multiple-choice & multiple-format questions, and you will have 120 minutes to complete it.
- Passing Criteria: To pass the certification exam, candidates must obtain a minimum passing score of 700 on a scale range of 1000.
- Date of Retirement/ Validity Period: None
- Prerequisites: No requirements
- Exam Cost: $165- which may vary across countries
Exam Domains:
- Manage identities and governance in Azure
- Design and implement storage
- Manage and deploy Azure computing resources.
- Configure and control virtual networking
- Monitoring and archiving Azure resource
Practice AZ-900 exam dump
8- Linux Professional Institute- LPIC-1
The multi-level Linux professional certification program of the Linux Professional Institute starts with the LPIC-1 certification (LPI). The candidate’s ability to install and configure a computer running Linux, conduct maintenance tasks on the command line, and configure fundamental networking will be verified by the LPIC-1.
Exam Details:
- Test Format & Duration: The exam consists of 60 multiple-choice & fill in the blanks, and you will have 90 minutes to complete it.
- Passing Criteria: To pass the certification exam, candidates must obtain a minimum passing score of 500 on a scale range of 800.
- Date of Retirement/ Validity Period: 5 years
- Prerequisites: No requirements
- Exam Cost: Refer to exam cost
Exam Domains: The exams domains include 101-500, 102-500 objectives
Practice exam dump to pass certification
Worth of System Administrator Certifications
Knowing the worth of certifications is the foremost important thing before choosing the certifications. Such certifications are worthwhile and come with many perks. As system administration is leading, so is the requirement of the job roles. Candidates which have certifications are an edge and advantage over the ones which do not have such certifications. System administration certifications will help you grow in the system administration field as well as in starting your career. These certifications act as a career ladder in the system administrator field. Such certifications also increase your salary up to 10x and give you earning potential. Such certifications also increased job promotions because they are proof that the candidate has enough skills and expertise to manage advanced responsibilities and can perform competently.
Comparison Table including salary, job roles, and leading companies that hired
Certification | Salary range | Job roles | Leading Companies |
RHCSA | $54k- 112k |
| Applied Insight Apple California Creative Solutions Logicalis LightGrid LLC |
RHCE | $55k- 145k |
| Red Hat Software Magna 5 MS LLC Amazon Agile Defense |
CompTIA Security+ | $50k- 75k |
| Netflix Target Splunk Johns Hopkins |
Network+ | $50k- 88k |
| Apple Cannon Dell HP Intel Verizon |
CCNA | $50k- 141k |
| – |
Data Center Virtualization | $51k-103k |
| IBM VMware Microsoft Cisco Citrix |
Microsoft Azure Fundamental Associate | $101-119k |
| – |
LPIC-1 | $50k- 130k |
| – |
Note: The salary is dependent on experience, job role/title, and the company.
Recommended Prep Material
Certspilot offers you the best prep material for any system administration certification. Certspilot makes sure to provide its clients with authentic, reliable, and updated exam material in a minimal amount. So, if you want to get prepared for any system administration certification choose certspilot and get maximum marks.
Conclusion
This article gives you a complete understanding of system administration certifications and their career growth. Summing up this article, if you want to progress in the system administration field these top certifications will be helpful for you. Such certifications cover many benefits and advantages and give you many job opportunities, earning potential, and managing advanced problems. So don’t wait and develop your career in the system administrator field with these top certifications.
Frequently Asked Questions- FAQ's
The best system administrator certifications are:
Red Hat Certificate System Administrator
Red Hat Certified Engineer
CompTIA Network+
CompTIA Security+
Data Center Virtualization
Microsoft Azure Fundamental Associate
Linux Professional Institute- LPIC-1
Systems administrators with a bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline, including computer and information technology, are most commonly sought after by companies. In most cases, three to five years of experience are needed for jobs requiring systems administration.
Yes! System administration is a rewarding profession. Compared to other IT disciplines, systems administrators have a higher income potential considering the level of education necessary. Over the next ten years, there will be a projected 36% increase in the need for systems administration jobs.
Absolutely Yes! According to SimplyHired, 49000 job posts are yielded for the system administrator. Moreover, Emsi Burning Glass reports that throughout the previous year, companies nationwide listed 57,751 open positions for systems administrators and it is increasing at an unprecedented level.
You can start your career by having a bachelor’s degree in Information Technology and Computer sciences. Moreover, certifications may add a plus to your career and give a breakthrough in the system administrator field.
Exams for MCSE certification typically cost $165. (USD)
You operate from home as a remote systems administrator. The main responsibilities of SysAdmin include installing, configuring, and updating software, networks, and other computer systems for a company. Additionally, you have responsibilities for maintaining network security, backing up data, and addressing IT problems. So yes, SysAdmin can work remotely.
The average annual salary for a Microsoft Azure Administrator in the US is $103,949.
As the name suggests, the most fundamental distinction between these two positions is that a Network Administrator is in control of the networks, whereas a System Administrator is in charge of the computer systems, or all the components that go into running a computer.
Usually, Red Hat certifications are not that difficult and you can pass in a single go by giving maximum study hours and hard work. Moreover, good exam material also helps them to ace the certification exam. You can get reliable exam material from Certspilot and can ace your exam.
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