Network Administrator
Definition
Network Administrator
A network administrator is the IT pro who keeps a company’s network running — installing routers, monitoring traffic, patching servers, and controlling user access. They own the day-to-day plumbing that links every laptop, phone, and cloud service in the office.
For offshoring firms and BPOs, this role sits inside the IT backbone behind call floors, delivery teams, and client integrations.
IBPAP counted 1.9 million IT-BPM workers in the Philippines in 2024, each relying on the network staying up every shift.
Key takeaways
- Network administrators install, configure, and maintain the hardware and software that keep a company’s data moving day and night.
- They monitor uptime, patch known vulnerabilities, and enforce access controls across servers, routers, switches, and endpoint devices.
- In offshoring firms, they protect client SLAs by keeping voice, video, chat, and CRM tools available around the clock.
- Common credentials include CompTIA Network+, Cisco CCNA, Microsoft Azure Administrator, and Linux Foundation certifications.
- Offshore hires from Manila or Bangalore run 60% to 75% cheaper than a US equivalent, without a drop in day-to-day capability.
How it works
A network administrator works across three layers — hardware, software, and users. They install switches and firewalls, configure servers and endpoints, then set policies that decide who touches what. Every change gets logged.
| Layer | Daily tasks | Common tools |
|---|---|---|
| Hardware | Rack switches, cable runs, WAP placement, and site surveys. | Cisco Catalyst, Aruba, Ubiquiti. |
| Software | Patch servers, apply firewall rules, and update DNS/DHCP. | Windows Server, Linux, pfSense. |
| Users | Provision accounts, reset credentials, and enforce MFA. | Active Directory, Okta, Intune. |
Most days follow a rhythm. They check dashboards at start-of-shift, close tickets by lunch, then run patches and backups after hours. Change windows sit on Saturdays, and outages get a written post-mortem within 48 hours.
Examples
Named providers show the range, from global consultancies to Philippine and Indian delivery hubs. Each depends on network admins to keep tens of thousands of agents connected, secured, and productive across shifts and time zones.
Accenture. In 2024, the firm reported over 774,000 employees globally. Network administrators anchor the private cloud that runs internal collaboration, client delivery centers, and secure code repositories across 49 countries, with a 24/7 network operations center.
Concentrix. In 2024, Concentrix operated across 70+ countries after its 2023 Webhelp merger. Network teams unified two separate SD-WAN estates and standardised firewall policies within 18 months, cutting outage frequency by nearly half.
Teleperformance. With more than 490,000 employees at end of 2024, Teleperformance’s network admins keep contact-center voice traffic flowing across 100+ markets. They meet PCI-DSS controls on every payment-handling floor and run quarterly disaster-recovery drills.
IBM. IBM’s Philippine delivery centers, active since 2010, rely on network admins to segment client data across shared floors. Zero-trust access and ISO 27001 audits run every calendar year, with regular penetration testing baked into the compliance calendar.
Related terms
These neighbouring glossary entries surround a network administrator’s day-to-day work in an outsourcing firm. Learn each role and you’ll understand where hand-offs happen, where SLAs live, and where an outsourced partner can slot in without stepping on internal staff.
- IT Support Technician: front-line role that fields user tickets before escalating to the network admin.
- Helpdesk Technician: triage role handling password resets, printer jams, and Tier-1 incidents.
- Database Administrator: specialist who tunes and secures data stores that sit on the same network fabric.
- Cloud Engineer: infrastructure role focused on AWS, Azure, and GCP environments outside the on-prem network.
- DevOps Engineer: automation-first role bridging network config, CI/CD pipelines, and application deployment.
- Information Security Analyst: security counterpart who audits the same firewalls and policies the admin operates.
FAQ
These questions come up whenever a hiring manager or business owner scopes a network administrator role. Answers focus on pay, credentials, offshore cost, and how the job differs from adjacent titles like systems admin or helpdesk technician.
What does a network administrator actually do?
They install and maintain the routers, switches, and servers that keep a company connected. Daily tasks include monitoring traffic, patching vulnerabilities, provisioning users, and running backups. Most also handle first-line incident response when something breaks.
What qualifications do network administrators need?
Most employers want a bachelor’s degree in IT or a related field. Vendor certifications carry weight — CompTIA Network+, Cisco CCNA, and Microsoft pathways are the common baseline. Two to three years of hands-on support experience is standard for mid-level roles.
How much does a network administrator cost when outsourced?
Offshore rates in the Philippines run US$1,200 to US$2,500 per month, fully loaded, versus US$6,000 to US$8,500 for a US hire. Indian rates land near Philippine rates. Many providers staff entire BPO network operations centers from Manila and Bangalore.
How is a network administrator different from a systems administrator?
A network admin owns the pipes — routers, switches, firewalls, and site connectivity. A systems admin owns the destinations: servers, operating systems, and applications. Modern hybrid roles blur the line at smaller outsourcing firms.
Do outsourcing firms need in-house network administrators?
Yes, every BPO with more than 50 seats staffs at least one network administrator on-site to protect client SLAs.
Ready to hire a network administrator through a vetted outsourcing partner? Browse Outsource Accelerator’s provider hubs to compare BPOs by service line, seat count, and location.
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