Systems Administrators
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
System Administrators plan, develop, install, troubleshoot, maintain and support operating systems and associated server hardware, software and databases ensuring optimum system integrity, security, backup and performance.
Tasks
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Troubleshoots and provides service support in diagnosing, resolving and repairing server-related hardware and software malfunctions, encompassing workstations and communication infrastructure.
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Prepares and maintains documentation, policies and instructions, and records and details operational procedures and system logs.
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Ensures that the design of computer sites allows all components to fit together and work properly, and monitors and adjusts the performance of networks.
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Continually survey the current computer site to determine future network needs and make recommendations for enhancements in the implementation of future servers and networks.
Characteristics
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University
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Vocational Education and Training (VET)
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Practical
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Analytical
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Administrative
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Enterprising
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Sedentary
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Light
Outlook
JSA produces employment projections to show where likely future job opportunities may be. Employment projections data are only produced for occupations at the broad four digit Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) level. While data are not available for this occupation, projections data are available for the parent occupation, Database & Systems Administrators & ICT Security, under the outlook section.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 91% of people employed as Systems Administrators work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 25 percentage points above the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 41 hours per week in their main job. This is similar to the all jobs average (44 hours per week).
Sources:Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average.
Industries
Main industries
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Systems Administrators work in industries like:
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Public administration and safety
- Education and training
- Financial and insurance services.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report.
Regions
Employment across Australia
NSW
VIC
QLD
SA
WA
TAS
NT
ACT
Employment by State and Territory (% Share)
State | Systems Administrators | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 31.5 | 31.6 |
VIC | 27.1 | 25.6 |
QLD | 16.5 | 20.0 |
SA | 5.8 | 7.0 |
WA | 9.7 | 10.8 |
TAS | 1.6 | 2.0 |
NT | 1.1 | 1.0 |
ACT | 6.7 | 1.9 |
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Around 80% of Systems Administrators live in capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 62%.
The Australian Capital Territory has a large share of employment relative to its population size.
The regions with the largest share of workers are:
- Australian Capital Territory
- Melbourne - West
- Melbourne - South East
- Melbourne - Inner
- Sydney - Parramatta.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Share of workers across Australian states, territories and regions, in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Worker profile
Age and gender
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The median age of Systems Administrators is 39 years. This is similar to the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 35 to 44 years.
Females make up 16% of the workforce. This is 32 percentage points below the all jobs average of 48%.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile and gender share compared to the all jobs average.
Age Profile (% Share)
Age Bracket | Systems Administrators | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 0.3 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 3.5 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 30.4 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 34.3 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 21.0 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 6.3 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 3.1 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 1.0 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 39 | 40 |
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Employment Pathways
Education, training and experience
A bachelor or postgraduate degree in a related information technology field (such as systems administration) is usually needed to work as a Systems Administrator. Some workers have Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualifications. There are also a wide range of vendor and industry certifications available that may substitute for formal qualifications.
Visit
- Course Seeker to search and compare higher education courses.
- ComparED to compare undergraduate and postgraduate student experiences and outcomes.
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Information and Communications Technology VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Systems Administrators | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 14.9 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 35.7 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 19.3 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 11.1 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 14.9 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 1.9 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 2.1 | 12.5 |
Source: ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job (in any field of study). Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job.
Skills and Knowledge
Employers look for Database & Systems Administrators & ICT Security who can communicate clearly, work well in a team and have strong computer literacy.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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63%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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61%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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61%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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61%
ProgrammingWriting computer programs.
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61%
Systems evaluationMeasuring how well a system is working and how to improve it.
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59%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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59%
TroubleshootingFiguring out why a machine or system went wrong and working out what to do about it.
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57%
Systems analysisFiguring out how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect it.
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57%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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57%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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57%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
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57%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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55%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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55%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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54%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
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52%
Equipment maintenanceMaintaining equipment and deciding what maintenance will be needed in the future.
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52%
Equipment selectionDeciding on the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
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52%
Operation and controlControlling equipment or systems.
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52%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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48%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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81%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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67%
TelecommunicationsTransmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
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57%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
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55%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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50%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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48%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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42%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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36%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
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31%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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29%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
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21%
Technical designDesign techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
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21%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
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19%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
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16%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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16%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
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15%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
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14%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
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13%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
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11%
PhysicsThe physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
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9%
Economics and accountingEconomics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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64%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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61%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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61%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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61%
Written comprehensionRead and understand written information.
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59%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
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57%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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57%
BrainstormingCome up with a number of ideas about a topic, even if the ideas aren't very good.
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57%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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55%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
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54%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
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54%
VisualizationImagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
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52%
Flexibility of closureSee a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) hidden in other distracting material.
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52%
OriginalityCome up with unusual or clever ideas, or creative ways to solve a problem.
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50%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
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50%
Written expressionWrite in a way that people can understand.
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48%
Perceptual speedUse your eyes to quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
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46%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
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46%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
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46%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
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46%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
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83%
Working with computersUsing computers to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
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81%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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80%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
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78%
Thinking creativelyUsing your own ideas for developing, designing, or creating something new.
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75%
Collecting and organising informationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
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71%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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70%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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70%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
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69%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
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66%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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65%
Making sense of information and ideasLooking at, working with, and understanding data or information.
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64%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
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61%
Giving expert adviceProviding guidance and expert advice to management or other groups.
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57%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
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55%
Coming up with systems and processesDeciding on goals and figuring out what you need to do to achieve them.
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53%
Estimating amounts, costs and resourcesWorking out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.
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52%
Explaining things to peopleHelping people to understand and use information.
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50%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
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48%
Documenting or recording informationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
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48%
Scheduling work and activitiesWorking out the timing of events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
Interests and demands
Learn about the daily activities, and physical and social demands faced by workers. Explore the values and work styles that workers rate as most important.
Interests
Interests are the style or type of work we prefer to do. All interest areas are shown below.
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86%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
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81%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
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67%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
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57%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
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29%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
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24%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
Values
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79%
Working conditionsJob security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.
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76%
SupportSupportive management that stands behind employees. Workers are treated fairly by their company, they are supported by management, and have supervisors who train them well.
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67%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
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67%
RecognitionAdvancement and the potential to lead. Workers are recognised for the work that they do, they may give directions and instructions to others, and they are looked up to in their company and their community.
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62%
IndependenceWork alone and make decisions. Workers are able to try out their own ideas, make decisions on their own, and work with little or no supervision.
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57%
RelationshipsServe and work with others. Workers usually get along well with each other, do things to help other people, and are rarely pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
Demands
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100%
Electronic mailUse electronic mail.
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97%
TelephoneTalk on the telephone.
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94%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
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92%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
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89%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
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86%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
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84%
Indoors, heat controlledWork indoors with access to heating or cooling.
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84%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
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82%
Spend time sittingSpend time sitting at work.
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81%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
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80%
Repeating same tasksRepeat the same tasks or activities (e.g., key entry) over and over, without stopping.
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71%
Lead or coordinate a teamLead others to do work activities.
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69%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
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68%
Letters and memosWrite letters and memos.
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68%
Loud or uncomfortable soundsBe exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.
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66%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
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66%
Consequence of errorWork where mistakes have serious consequences.
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66%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
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64%
Physically close to peopleWork physically close to other people.
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62%
Using your hands to handle, control, or feelSpend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.
O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 15-1142.00 - Network and Computer Systems Administrators.
Links and downloads
Research and reports
The Skills Priority List provides a current labour market rating and a future demand rating for nearly 800 occupations nationally. Current labour market ratings are available for occupations at a state and territory level.
Downloads
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Occupation profiles data are available for download.
The Employment Projections are available for download.