Network and computer systems administrators install, configure and maintain organizations' computer networks and systems. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics lists their duties as installing operating systems, hardware and software, recommending technology purchases, performing upgrades, repairs and optimization, maintaining network and security protocols, adding users and assigning permissions, training staff on systems, and troubleshooting problems when alerted. Some focus on network infrastructure such as routers, switches and cabling; systems administrators focus on servers, software and user access.
The short answer: AI and automation are already shrinking this job, but not ending it. The ILO's 2025 index rates systems administrators at gradient 3 with a score of 0.57, and computer network professionals at gradient 3 with 0.52. The BLS projects employment to decline 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, from 323,600 to 310,400 jobs, yet still expects about 13,400 openings a year as workers retire or change jobs. Projections are estimates, not guarantees.
How exposed system administrators are
The International Labour Organization scores occupations' tasks from 0 (cannot be automated with generative AI) to 1 (could be done without a human operator), and groups them into gradients from 1 to 4, with 4 the most exposed; below them sit minimal exposure and not exposed (ILO Working Paper 140, 2025).
| Occupation (ISCO-08) | ILO category | Mean task score (0 to 1) |
|---|---|---|
| Systems Administrators | Gradient 3 | 0.57 |
| Computer Network Professionals | Gradient 3 | 0.52 |
Much of the work is configuration, scripting, documentation and reading logs, the kind of text and code tasks generative AI handles well. That puts both groups in the exposed gradients, though not at the top.
What the BLS projects
| Occupation | Projected change 2025 to 2035 | Openings a year |
|---|---|---|
| Network and computer systems administrators | Decline 4% | About 13,400 |
The BLS gives three reasons for the decline: tasks are increasingly being done by software developers focused on DevOps, some tasks are being outsourced to companies that provide networks as a service, and systems administrators are increasingly automating routine tasks themselves.
Where AI is helping
- Writing and explaining scripts and configuration files.
- Searching logs and alerts to find the likely cause of a problem.
- Drafting documentation, runbooks and how to guides for staff.
- Answering routine user questions before they reach a person.
What stays with system administrators
- Responsibility: someone has to own the network, the backups and the access rights, and answer for them.
- Security: the BLS lists maintaining network and security protocols as a core duty, and granting permissions is a judgment call.
- Outages: troubleshooting a live failure across hardware, software and vendors.
- Purchasing and planning: recommending what to buy, build or outsource.
- Checking AI help: a generated command or configuration can be wrong and run with full privileges, which NIST calls confabulation (NIST AI 600-1). See checking AI output.
How the job is changing
The routine part of the job, installs, patches and user accounts, is being automated, often by administrators themselves, and some of it moves to DevOps teams and outside providers. The work that remains leans toward automation, security and owning systems end to end. The BLS says administrators typically need a bachelor's degree in a computer or information science field, though some employers accept a postsecondary certificate or associate degree, and many employers require certifications. This page is general information, not career advice.
See also will AI replace network architects?, will AI replace database administrators?, will AI replace IT support? and will AI replace cybersecurity?
Pay and how to get in
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics puts the median annual pay for network and computer systems administrators at $99,130 in May 2025, against $50,980 for all workers. The typical education needed to enter is: bachelor's degree. See how this job compares in AI exposure by pay and AI exposure by education level.
Questions and answers
Will AI replace system administrators?
Not entirely. The BLS projects a 4 percent decline from 2025 to 2035, partly because routine tasks are being automated, but still expects about 13,400 openings a year.
How exposed are system administrators to AI?
The ILO rates systems administrators at gradient 3 with a score of 0.57, and computer network professionals at gradient 3 with 0.52.
Why is sysadmin employment expected to fall?
The BLS says tasks are moving to software developers focused on DevOps, some are outsourced to networks as a service providers, and administrators are automating routine work.
What do you need to become a system administrator?
The BLS says administrators typically need a bachelor's degree in a computer or information science field, and employers often require certifications.