Network Administrator Jobs in Illinois
Network Administrator jobs in Illinois are consistently active, concentrated in corporate IT, financial services, healthcare networks, and higher education, with openings at every level from help-desk-adjacent junior roles through senior infrastructure engineers. Chicago drives the bulk of hiring, with additional demand in Naperville and Schaumburg, where large employers like Allstate, United Airlines, and Advocate Health Care maintain substantial IT operations. The most in-demand specialties right now are network security, cloud-integrated networking, and enterprise LAN/WAN administration. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 12+ Network Administrator jobs
Job Description Summary
The IT Network Administrator maintains the College’s network infrastructure and ensures a secure, reliable computing environment through daily management of networking systems, user access, and security controls. The role collaborates closely with the Director of IT to support operational needs, uphold strong cybersecurity practices, and deliver excellent customer service across the institution. As stated in the description, the position “maintains the infrastructure required to allow the College to meet all of its computing needs” and ensures that “all user access / permissions will be in the purview with the intent of maintaining a secure environment.” In addition to these responsibilities, the administrator oversees firewall configuration and monitoring as part of maintaining a robust security posture and protecting the College’s network from emerging threats.
The position primarily handles maintenance of networking devices and management of backend processes that keep the network environment secure.
The position will have the full support of the Director of IT who can provide general guidance and collaboration. The IT Committee (if the College deems necessary) will serve as an advisory unit.
Distinguishing Characteristics
IT Network Administratorwill be:
- Knowledgeable of current trends in fields ofnetworking and up to date on current threats, specifically but not limited to Comp Tia Network + Certification, Extreme Network Equipment,etc)
- Effective communicator with the ability to convey complex topics to all levels of the organization
- Discipline tomonitorthe health of the network on a regular basis
- Decisive with priorities and focused on results
- Responsive to College personnel needs
Responsibilities and Duties include but are not limited to
Essential Functions
The Network Administrator has responsibilities in both network and security areas:
% TIME
Network Management (Daily)
- Maintain network structure that promotes security and reliability with uptime of 99.99%. This is inclusive of WIFI, VPN, LAN, WAN, WLAN, etc.
- Collaborate with other IT personnel to maintain smooth operation.
- Diagnose and resolve hardware, software and network issues using diagnostic tools analyzing network traffic.
- Apply firmware updates and update hardware when appropriate
- Document network architecture to facilitate understanding and allow others to manage in the absence of the Network Administrator.
- Manager user accounts, permissions and passwords to ensure proper access control and compliance.
- Serve as secondary liaison to ISP to maintain sufficient bandwidth to support College activity
- Add/remove/modify user accounts, permissions and passwords
50%
Network Management (Quarterly)
- Serve as secondary liaison to ISP to maintain sufficient bandwidth to support College activity
- Update network documentation
- Review user accounts, permissions and passwords to ensure proper access control and compliance.
- Network inventory review
- Software inventory review
10%
Security Management (Daily)
- Monitor for security incidents and respond appropriately
- Assist in identifying security risks and develop strategies to mitigate them, including conducing regular security audits and vulnerability assessment.
- Conduct end-user training
- Conduct software security permission audits
25%
Security Management (Quarterly)
- Conduct regular?security?audits?and?vulnerability?assessments
- Conduct end-user training
- Conduct software security permission audits
10%
Security Management (Annually)
- Assist in arranging and conducting penetration / vulnerability testing specific aimed at satisfying audit & regulatory requirements.
5%
Additional Responsibilities
- Serve on the IT Committee (given the College deems an IT Committee as part of the committee structure)
- Attend annual graduation with responsibilities of ensuring technical needs are met
- Travel periodically to all campuses checking that all standards are met
- Performs other functions as required or assigned. Also complies with all policies and standards.
Qualifications and Requirements
Education
Education Level
Field of Study
Req
Pref
And/Or
Bachelor’s degree
Information Technology, Computer Science, Cyber security or related field
X
OR
Associates’ degree
Information Technology, Computer Science, Cyber security or related field
X
AND
Certifications
Extensive certification of networking and cybersecurity (Applies to Assoc. Degree Only)
X
X
A combination of education and significant experience may be considered for this position. Certifications are in addition to associate degree to be equivalent to Bachelor’s degree.
Work Experience
Experience
Experience Details
Req
Pref
3years
Progressively responsible experience with the implementation and maintenance of networking fundamentals and configuration of network devices
-OR-
An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job listed above.
X
1years
A leadership role as a decision maker and authority over an active network
X
Management Experience
Experience
Experience Details
Req
Pref
1years
Managing projects; proven skills in multiple projects management and successful history of planning, implementing and maintaining IT Networks systems.
X
Licenses and Certifications
License or Certification
Time Frame
Req
Pref
Comp TIA Networking +
Within 6 Months
X
Extreme (Network) Certifications
X
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities; Additional Information
Skills and Abilities
Skills &Abilities
Description
Proficiency
Oversight/Supervision of those providing these services:
AssessmentData Management, SQL, Banner, Microsoft Office, Windows, OASIS, VOIP, Door Locks/I.D. Badges.
Demonstrable competence in executive leadership with significant business and leadership acumen.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, interpersonal and collaborative skills, and the ability to communicate information security and risk-related concepts to technical and nontechnical audiences at various hierarchical levels, ranging from senior executives to technical specialists.
Strategic leader and builder of both vision and bridges, and able to energize theappropriate teamsin the organization.
Up-to-date knowledge of methodologies and trends in both higher education and IT.
Poise and ability to act calmly and competently in high-pressure, high-stress situations.
Must be a critical thinker, with strong problem-solving skills, knowledge and understanding of relevant legal and regulatory requirements, such as: Federal Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and Payment Card Industry/Data Security Standard (PCI).
Excellent analytical skills, the ability to manage multiple projects under strict timelines, as well as the ability to work well in a demanding, dynamic environment and meet overallobjectives.
Project management skills: scheduling and resource management.
A master of influencing entities and decisions in situations where no formal reporting structures exist, but achieving thedesirableoutcome is vital.
Excellent stakeholder management skills.
Collaboration/Service:
Internal
External
Additional Information
X
X
Exchange of routine, factual information and/or answering routine questions.
X
X
Exchange detailed information or resolve varied problems.
X
Access to and/or works with sensitive and/or confidential information.
X
Identifyneeds/concerns of others,determinepotential solutions, resolve or redirect appropriately.
X
Persuade, gain cooperation and acceptance of ideas or collaborate on significant projects.
X
X
Resolve conflict, negotiate or collaborate on major projects.
X
Handle sensitive issues and facilitate collaboration at the highest level.
X
Develop and maintain relationships with key contacts to enhance workflow and work quality.
X
Decisions have major implications on the strategy, operational and business decisions that affect the department. Problems are varied, requiring analysis or interpretation of the situation. Problems are solved using knowledge and skills, and general precedents and practices.
X
Works is accomplished with limited direction. Determines and develops approach to solutions. Work is evaluated upon completion to ensure objectives have been met.
Job Description Summary
The IT Network Administrator maintains the College’s network infrastructure and ensures a secure, reliable computing environment through daily management of networking systems, user access, and security controls. The role collaborates closely with the Director of IT to support operational needs, uphold strong cybersecurity practices, and deliver excellent customer service across the institution. As stated in the description, the position “maintains the infrastructure required to allow the College to meet all of its computing needs” and ensures that “all user access / permissions will be in the purview with the intent of maintaining a secure environment.” In addition to these responsibilities, the administrator oversees firewall configuration and monitoring as part of maintaining a robust security posture and protecting the College’s network from emerging threats.
The position primarily handles maintenance of networking devices and management of backend processes that keep the network environment secure.
The position will have the full support of the Director of IT who can provide general guidance and collaboration. The IT Committee (if the College deems necessary) will serve as an advisory unit.
Distinguishing Characteristics
IT Network Administratorwill be:
- Knowledgeable of current trends in fields ofnetworking and up to date on current threats, specifically but not limited to Comp Tia Network + Certification, Extreme Network Equipment,etc)
- Effective communicator with the ability to convey complex topics to all levels of the organization
- Discipline tomonitorthe health of the network on a regular basis
- Decisive with priorities and focused on results
- Responsive to College personnel needs
Responsibilities and Duties include but are not limited to
Essential Functions
The Network Administrator has responsibilities in both network and security areas:
% TIME
Network Management (Daily)
- Maintain network structure that promotes security and reliability with uptime of 99.99%. This is inclusive of WIFI, VPN, LAN, WAN, WLAN, etc.
- Collaborate with other IT personnel to maintain smooth operation.
- Diagnose and resolve hardware, software and network issues using diagnostic tools analyzing network traffic.
- Apply firmware updates and update hardware when appropriate
- Document network architecture to facilitate understanding and allow others to manage in the absence of the Network Administrator.
- Manager user accounts, permissions and passwords to ensure proper access control and compliance.
- Serve as secondary liaison to ISP to maintain sufficient bandwidth to support College activity
- Add/remove/modify user accounts, permissions and passwords
50%
Network Management (Quarterly)
- Serve as secondary liaison to ISP to maintain sufficient bandwidth to support College activity
- Update network documentation
- Review user accounts, permissions and passwords to ensure proper access control and compliance.
- Network inventory review
- Software inventory review
10%
Security Management (Daily)
- Monitor for security incidents and respond appropriately
- Assist in identifying security risks and develop strategies to mitigate them, including conducing regular security audits and vulnerability assessment.
- Conduct end-user training
- Conduct software security permission audits
25%
Security Management (Quarterly)
- Conduct regular?security?audits?and?vulnerability?assessments
- Conduct end-user training
- Conduct software security permission audits
10%
Security Management (Annually)
- Assist in arranging and conducting penetration / vulnerability testing specific aimed at satisfying audit & regulatory requirements.
5%
Additional Responsibilities
- Serve on the IT Committee (given the College deems an IT Committee as part of the committee structure)
- Attend annual graduation with responsibilities of ensuring technical needs are met
- Travel periodically to all campuses checking that all standards are met
- Performs other functions as required or assigned. Also complies with all policies and standards.
Qualifications and Requirements
Education
Education Level
Field of Study
Req
Pref
And/Or
Bachelor’s degree
Information Technology, Computer Science, Cyber security or related field
X
OR
Associates’ degree
Information Technology, Computer Science, Cyber security or related field
X
AND
Certifications
Extensive certification of networking and cybersecurity (Applies to Assoc. Degree Only)
X
X
A combination of education and significant experience may be considered for this position. Certifications are in addition to associate degree to be equivalent to Bachelor’s degree.
Work Experience
Experience
Experience Details
Req
Pref
3years
Progressively responsible experience with the implementation and maintenance of networking fundamentals and configuration of network devices
-OR-
An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job listed above.
X
1years
A leadership role as a decision maker and authority over an active network
X
Management Experience
Experience
Experience Details
Req
Pref
1years
Managing projects; proven skills in multiple projects management and successful history of planning, implementing and maintaining IT Networks systems.
X
Licenses and Certifications
License or Certification
Time Frame
Req
Pref
Comp TIA Networking +
Within 6 Months
X
Extreme (Network) Certifications
X
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities; Additional Information
Skills and Abilities
Skills &Abilities
Description
Proficiency
Oversight/Supervision of those providing these services:
AssessmentData Management, SQL, Banner, Microsoft Office, Windows, OASIS, VOIP, Door Locks/I.D. Badges.
Demonstrable competence in executive leadership with significant business and leadership acumen.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, interpersonal and collaborative skills, and the ability to communicate information security and risk-related concepts to technical and nontechnical audiences at various hierarchical levels, ranging from senior executives to technical specialists.
Strategic leader and builder of both vision and bridges, and able to energize theappropriate teamsin the organization.
Up-to-date knowledge of methodologies and trends in both higher education and IT.
Poise and ability to act calmly and competently in high-pressure, high-stress situations.
Must be a critical thinker, with strong problem-solving skills, knowledge and understanding of relevant legal and regulatory requirements, such as: Federal Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and Payment Card Industry/Data Security Standard (PCI).
Excellent analytical skills, the ability to manage multiple projects under strict timelines, as well as the ability to work well in a demanding, dynamic environment and meet overallobjectives.
Project management skills: scheduling and resource management.
A master of influencing entities and decisions in situations where no formal reporting structures exist, but achieving thedesirableoutcome is vital.
Excellent stakeholder management skills.
Collaboration/Service:
Internal
External
Additional Information
X
X
Exchange of routine, factual information and/or answering routine questions.
X
X
Exchange detailed information or resolve varied problems.
X
Access to and/or works with sensitive and/or confidential information.
X
Identifyneeds/concerns of others,determinepotential solutions, resolve or redirect appropriately.
X
Persuade, gain cooperation and acceptance of ideas or collaborate on significant projects.
X
X
Resolve conflict, negotiate or collaborate on major projects.
X
Handle sensitive issues and facilitate collaboration at the highest level.
X
Develop and maintain relationships with key contacts to enhance workflow and work quality.
X
Decisions have major implications on the strategy, operational and business decisions that affect the department. Problems are varied, requiring analysis or interpretation of the situation. Problems are solved using knowledge and skills, and general precedents and practices.
X
Works is accomplished with limited direction. Determines and develops approach to solutions. Work is evaluated upon completion to ensure objectives have been met.
See All 12 Network Administrator Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Network Administrator JobsNetwork Administrator Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Network Administrator Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- Consulting & Professional Services
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in network administrator jobs across Illinois.
- CompTIA Network+ or CCNA certification required or strongly preferred by most Illinois employers
- Bachelor's degree in information technology, computer science, or a closely related field
- Hands-on experience configuring and maintaining routers, switches, and firewalls in enterprise environments
- Proficiency with network monitoring tools such as SolarWinds, Nagios, or equivalent platforms
- Familiarity with cloud networking environments including AWS, Azure, or hybrid infrastructure setups
- Strong troubleshooting skills and ability to respond to network outages with minimal downtime
Network Administrator Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a network administrator in Illinois?
Illinois does not require a state-issued license to work as a network administrator, so the path runs through education and industry credentials. Most Illinois employers expect at minimum an associate or bachelor's degree in information technology or computer science, paired with a recognized certification such as CompTIA Network+ or Cisco's CCNA. Community colleges across the Chicago area and downstate Illinois offer IT networking programs that feed directly into entry-level roles.
How much do network administrators make in Illinois?
Network administrators in Illinois earn a median of about $100,080 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $65,650 for the lowest 10% to over $157,800 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire network administrators in Illinois?
Employers hiring network administrators in Illinois right now include REPLY, Hendrickson, and Loop Capital, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Illinois's concentration of insurance firms, hospital systems, and Fortune 500 headquarters in the greater Chicago area makes it one of the more consistent states for sustained network administrator demand.
Which Illinois cities have the most network administrator jobs?
Chicago, Morris, and Quincy account for the largest share of network administrator openings in Illinois. Chicago's density of corporate headquarters, financial institutions, and hospital networks drives the majority of postings, while Naperville and Schaumburg attract significant hiring because major insurers, tech firms, and healthcare organizations have long-established campuses in Chicago's western suburbs.
Are there remote network administrator jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they're less common than in purely desk-based IT roles, since network administration often requires hands-on access to on-site hardware. About 50% of network administrator openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, and those positions tend to focus on monitoring, cloud infrastructure management, and network policy work rather than physical installation or cabling.
How can I get hired as a network administrator in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry point is an IT support or help desk role at a large Illinois employer, where exposure to network infrastructure leads naturally to a network administrator track. Major Illinois hospital systems, state agencies, and universities regularly hire IT support associates and offer internal progression. Earning CompTIA A+ followed by Network+ before applying gives candidates a measurable edge over applicants without credentials, and community college networking programs in the Chicago area often include internship placements with local employers.
Where can I find and apply to network administrator jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to network administrator jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings from employers actively hiring. Search the listings, find roles that match your experience level and location, and apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 12 Network Administrator Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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