Cloud administrator vs. system administrator

Stepping into IT for the first time can feel like standing at a crossroads with a dozen different paths sprawling out in front of you. Each direction promises something different: different challenges, different technologies, different career trajectories. If you're drawn to the world of administration, you've probably encountered two roles that sound similar but lead to distinctly different places: cloud administrator vs system administrator. 

Both positions serve as entry points into IT administration, but they operate in fundamentally different environments. One manages the physical and virtual infrastructure you can see and touch. The other orchestrates resources that exist somewhere "out there" in the cloud. Understanding these differences matters if you're planning your next career move or trying to decide which certifications to pursue. 

Before you invest time and money into training for either path, you need to understand what each role actually entails. More importantly, you need to know which one aligns with your interests, your existing skills, and where the industry is headed. 

Exploring your career options? Download our free entry-level cybersecurity careers guide to understand how administrator roles fit into the broader IT and security landscape. 

System administrator: The foundation of traditional IT 

System administrators keep the lights on. They're the people who make sure your computer boots up in the morning, your email works, and the company's servers don't mysteriously crash at 3 p.m. on a Friday. 

But describing a sysadmin's job as "keeping things running" undersells the complexity. These professionals juggle dozens of moving parts simultaneously. They install new hardware, patch operating systems, troubleshoot user issues and respond to emergencies — often all in the same afternoon. 

What it takes to become a system administrator 

There's no single path to becoming a system administrator, which is both liberating and slightly terrifying if you're just starting out. Most employers look for candidates with a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field, although some may consider equivalent experience. The reality? Your skill set often matters more than your diploma. 

Here's what typically helps you land that first sysadmin role: 

Education and experience: Many organizations prefer candidates with bachelor's degrees, particularly in computer science or related disciplines. But don't panic if you don't have one — practical experience can sometimes substitute. Entry-level positions with 0 to 2 years of experience typically start with foundational tasks like help desk support and basic system maintenance. 

Foundational certifications: CompTIA A+ and Network+ remain solid starting points. These certifications prove you understand hardware, software,and networking fundamentals. They won't make you an expert, but they signal to employers that you're serious about the field. 

Hands-on experience: Most system administrators have at least 3 to 5 years of related professional IT experience. This might include help desk work, junior IT roles, or even personal projects where you've managed your own servers or networks. 

Day-to-day responsibilities 

The work varies depending on the organization, but certain themes emerge across almost every sysadmin job description. You'll find yourself managing the full lifecycle of computer systems and servers — from the moment they're unboxed to the day they're decommissioned. 

Core responsibilities include:

• Installing, configuring and maintaining hardware and software across the organization 

• Managing server environments, particularly Windows-based systems 

• Applying OS updates and security patches before vulnerabilities become breaches 

• Writing automation scripts to handle repetitive tasks (because clicking through the same menu 500 times gets old fast) 

• Creating and enforcing policies for user access, backups and system recovery 

• Troubleshooting when things inevitably break 

Mid-level system administrators with 3 to 5 years of experience handle more complex system administration tasks and contribute to IT planning, often serving as the bridge between technical teams and management. 

The scope of a sysadmin's responsibilities has expanded over the years. Modern sysadmins increasingly work with virtualization technologies, manage cloud-hybrid environments, and deal with security considerations that weren't on anyone's radar a decade ago. 

Real system administrator job requirements 

To give you a concrete sense of what employers actually want, here's what recent job postings reveal (company names anonymized): 

Job posting example 1 — mid-sized financial services firm: 

• Bachelor's degree in information technology or computer science 

• 3+ years managing Windows Server environments 

• Experience with Active Directory, Group Policy, and PowerShell scripting 

• Knowledge of backup and disaster recovery procedures 

• Understanding of network protocols (TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP) 

• CompTIA Network+ or Microsoft MCSA certification preferred 

Job posting example 2 — healthcare technology company: 

• Associate degree in IT or 5+ years equivalent experience 

• Hands-on experience with VMware virtualization 

• Proficiency in Windows 10/11 deployment and troubleshooting 

• Familiarity with ticketing systems and ITIL processes 

• Strong documentation skills for system procedures 

• Ability to work after-hours for maintenance windows 

Notice the patterns? Employers want proven experience with specific technologies, not just theoretical knowledge. They value people who can document their work, communicate clearly and handle the unglamorous parts of the job, like after-hours maintenance. 

Salary expectations for system administrators 

Here’s a quick system administrator salary snapshot to help you benchmark offers by experience and location. 

The average salary for a system administrator is approximately $110,764 per year in the United States, according to Glassdoor data from 2025. But that figure masks considerable variation based on experience, location, and specialization, and includes other benefits. 

Entry-level positions with 0 to 2 years of experience typically offer salaries ranging from $60,000 to $70,000, based on Dice's 2025 salary report. Mid-level sysadmins with 3 to 5 years of experience earn between $75,000 and $90,000. 

Geography plays a huge role. System administrators in San Francisco, New York and Seattle earn significantly higher salaries than those in other regions, reflecting both higher demand and cost of living. According to PayScale, the salary range spans from about $52,000 at the low end to $99,000 for experienced professionals. 

The good news? System administrators who develop skills in automation, scripting languages, and cloud technologies often transition into higher-paying DevOps or cloud administration roles.

Career trajectory and growth 

System administration isn't a dead end. It's a launching pad. 

Many sysadmins move into specialized areas like security, networking or database management. Others transition into cloud roles as organizations migrate their infrastructure. Some step into leadership, managing teams of junior administrators or overseeing entire IT departments. 

The challenge? The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 4% decline in employment for network and computer systems administrators from 2024 to 2034, according to BLS data. This doesn't mean the role is disappearing. It means it's evolving. Organizations still need people who understand systems, but they increasingly want administrators who can work across traditional and cloud environments. 

Who hires system administrators? 

Virtually every organization that uses computers needs system administrators. That's not hyperbole. Banks need them. Hospitals need them. Manufacturing plants need them. Schools need them. Government agencies need them. 

The type of organization shapes your daily experience. Work for a startup, and you'll wear multiple hats, troubleshooting everything from printers to databases. Join an enterprise, and you might specialize in managing a specific system or platform. 

Check job boards, attend local IT meetups and connect with your network. Many sysadmin roles never make it to public job postings. They're filled through referrals and professional connections. 

Cloud administrator: Architecture of the digital future 

Cloud administrators operate in a fundamentally different environment. Instead of managing physical servers in a data center, they orchestrate virtual resources distributed across provider networks. The work requires different skills, different tools and a different mindset. 

The cloud administrator role emerged as organizations shifted from owning infrastructure to renting it. This evolution has created strong salary potential, with cloud administrators earning an average of $118,476 per year, according to Glassdoor.

Prerequisites and background 

Breaking into cloud administration requires more specialized knowledge than traditional system administration. You can't just show up with general IT experience and expect to manage AWS or Azure environments effectively. 

Educational foundation: Like system administrators, most cloud admins have bachelor's degrees in computer science or related fields. But the degree alone won't cut it. 

Cloud-specific experience: Employers typically expect at least three years of experience working with cloud computing and related technologies. This might include time as a cloud analyst, junior cloud engineer or system administrator who worked with hybrid cloud environments. 

Critical certifications: This is where cloud administration diverges sharply from traditional sysadmin work. The field places heavy emphasis on vendor-specific certifications. Building cloud security certifications into your skillset opens even more career opportunities: 

• CompTIA Cloud+ provides vendor-neutral cloud fundamentals 

• Professional Cloud Administrator (from the Cloud Credential Council) validates general cloud management skills 

• AWS Certified Solutions Architect demonstrates expertise in Amazon's ecosystem 

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate proves proficiency with Azure 

• Google Cloud Professional Cloud Architect covers Google's cloud platform 

These certifications aren't optional nice-to-haves. They're often job requirements. Employers want proof you can navigate the complexities of cloud platforms without expensive mistakes. 

Want to explore cloud certifications? Check out our emerging trends certification checklist to see which cloud credentials are currently in demand. 

Core job responsibilities 

Cloud administrators bridge the gap between an organization's business needs and the technical capabilities of cloud platforms. Their responsibilities cluster around two main areas: initial setup and ongoing management. 

Configuration and deployment: 

• Setting up and configuring cloud management services from scratch 

• Migrating applications and data from on-premises to cloud environments 

• Designing cloud architectures that balance cost, performance and security 

• Integrating cloud systems with existing on-premises infrastructure 

Ongoing management and optimization: 

• Monitoring cloud resource utilization and performance metrics 

• Analyzing deployment data to identify inefficiencies or cost overruns 

• Responding to and resolving operational issues before users notice 

• Evaluating new cloud technologies and services for potential implementation 

• Managing workload distribution and load balancing across cloud resources 

Cloud administrators also collaborate closely with security teams to monitor cloud privacy and ensure compliance with organizational policies. In some organizations, they absorb traditional storage administrator responsibilities, handling backup, restore and data redundancy tasks. 

The work involves more strategic thinking than traditional system administration. You're not just keeping servers running. You're architecting scalable solutions that can grow with the business.

Real cloud administrator job requirements 

Here's what actual employers are looking for (anonymized): 

Job posting example 1 — enterprise SaaS company: 

• Bachelor's degree in computer science or information technology 

• 5+ years of experience with AWS platform tools and services 

• Proficiency in infrastructure as code (Terraform, CloudFormation) 

• Experience with containerization (Docker, Kubernetes) 

• Strong understanding of CI/CD pipelines and DevOps practices 

• AWS Solutions Architect Associate certification required 

• Scripting skills in Python or PowerShell 

Job posting example 2 — financial technology firm: 

• 3+ years managing multi-cloud environments (AWS and Azure) 

• Experience with identity and access management (IAM) 

• Knowledge of cloud security best practices and compliance requirements 

• Ability to optimize cloud costs and resource allocation 

• Experience with monitoring tools (CloudWatch, Azure Monitor) 

• Strong documentation and communication skills 

• Azure Administrator Associate certification preferred 

The common threads? Employers want hands-on experience with specific cloud platforms, an understanding of automation and infrastructure as code, and a proven ability to balance multiple priorities. 

Cloud administrator salary landscape 

Cloud skills command a premium in today's job market, and the salary data reflects this reality. 

The average cloud administrator salary is $118,476 per year, according to Glassdoor's 2025 data. But like system administration, that figure varies considerably. 

Cloud systems administrators earn an average of $108,476 annually, with top earners making up to $158,500, per ZipRecruiter. Salary.com reports the average at $123,407, with a typical range from $107,795 to $141,961. 

Why the variation in reported salaries? Different sources use different methodologies and include various subsets of cloud administration roles. Some focus on pure cloud administrators, while others include cloud systems administrators, cloud engineers and related positions. 

Entry-level cloud administrators with 0 to 2 years of experience typically earn between $70,000 and $90,000, while mid-level professionals with 3-5 years command $95,000 to $130,000+, according to CloudAlly's analysis. 

Senior cloud administrators with six or more years of experience can earn $130,000 to $160,000 or more. Specialization in specific platforms pushes salaries even higher. Azure cloud administrators, for instance, earn an average of $147,917 per year, according to Salary.com. 

The premium for cloud skills reflects supply and demand. Organizations need cloud administrators, but there aren't enough qualified professionals to fill all the open positions.

Career growth and specialization 

Cloud administration offers several advancement paths: 

• Technical specialization: Focus on specific cloud platforms, security, architecture or emerging technologies like serverless computing and containers. 

• Leadership roles: Move into senior cloud administrator positions, cloud team leadership or cloud program management. 

• Cloud engineering: Transition into cloud engineering roles that focus more on designing and building cloud solutions rather than day-to-day management. 

• Security specialization: Pivot into cloud security engineering, focusing specifically on protecting cloud environments and data. 

Cloud skills open doors across virtually every industry as organizations continue moving workloads to the cloud. 

Who needs cloud administrators? 

Any organization that operates in the cloud needs cloud administrators. That category has expanded dramatically over the past few years and continues growing. 

Large enterprises with complex multi-cloud environments need entire teams of cloud administrators. Smaller companies transitioning to the cloud need someone to guide that migration and manage the new environment. Cloud-native startups need administrators from day one. 

The demand crosses industry boundaries. Healthcare organizations are managing patient data in the cloud. Financial services firms running trading platforms on AWS. Retail companies operating e-commerce sites on Azure. Media companies stream content through cloud services. 

Not every organization uses the cloud, which means not every organization needs cloud administrators. But the trend points in one clear direction: more cloud adoption, more cloud jobs. 

System administrator vs. cloud administrator: Direct comparison 

Use this system administrator vs cloud administrator snapshot to compare environments, entry requirements, salaries and growth outlook at a glance. 

	System administrator	Cloud administrator
Primary focus	Physical and virtual on-premises systems	Cloud-based infrastructure and services
Environment	Data centers, server rooms, traditional IT infrastructure	AWS, Azure, GCP and other cloud platforms
Average salary	$110,764/year	$118,476/year
Entry requirements	General IT experience, basic certifications	Cloud platform experience, vendor certifications
Key skills	Windows/Linux administration, Active Directory, hardware management	Infrastructure as code, cloud platform APIs, automation
Certifications	CompTIA A+, Network+, Microsoft MCSA	AWS Certified, Azure Administrator, CompTIA Cloud+
Experience needed	3-5 years IT experience	3+ years cloud computing experience
Growth outlook	4% decline projected	Steady growth as cloud adoption increases
Work style	Hands-on with physical hardware and local systems	Remote management of virtualized resources

The comparison reveals something important: these aren't interchangeable roles. They require different skill sets, operate in varying environments and prepare you for different career trajectories. 

Skills that matter: Technical requirements for each role

Technical competence drives success in both roles, but the specific skills differ significantly. 

System administrator technical skills 

• Operating system expertise: Deep knowledge of Windows Server, Linux distributions and sometimes macOS server environments. You need to configure these systems, troubleshoot problems and optimize performance. 

• Network fundamentals: Understanding of TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP and how data flows through networks. System administrators often troubleshoot connectivity issues and configure network services. 

• Hardware knowledge: Ability to install, maintain and troubleshoot physical servers, storage systems and network equipment. You should understand RAID configurations, server components and common hardware failures. 

• Scripting and automation: Proficiency in PowerShell, Bash or Python for automating routine tasks. Writing scripts that handle user provisioning, system updates or backup processes saves countless hours. 

• Virtualization technologies: Experience with VMware, Hyper-V or other virtualization platforms. Most modern data centers rely heavily on virtual machines. 

• Active Directory and identity management: Managing user accounts, group policies and authentication systems. This skill appears in almost every Windows-based environment. 

• Backup and disaster recovery: Understanding how to protect data, create recovery plans and restore systems after failures. 

Cloud administrator technical skills 

• Cloud platform proficiency: Hands-on experience with at least one major cloud platform (AWS, Azure or GCP). Understanding the services, pricing models and management interfaces. 

• Infrastructure as code: Ability to define and deploy infrastructure using tools like Terraform, CloudFormation or ARM templates. Modern cloud environments treat infrastructure like software. 

• Containerization and orchestration: Knowledge of Docker, Kubernetes and container management. Cloud-native applications increasingly run in containers. 

• Cloud networking: Understanding virtual networks, subnets, security groups, load balancers and how cloud networking differs from traditional networking. 

• Identity and access management: Managing cloud IAM policies, service accounts and ensuring least-privilege access to resources. 

• Cost optimization: Ability to analyze cloud spending, identify waste and implement cost-saving measures. Cloud bills can spiral quickly without proper management. 

• DevOps practices: Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines, configuration management and collaborative development workflows. 

• Cloud security: Understanding shared responsibility models, encryption, compliance requirements and cloud-specific security tools. 

The skills diverge significantly. System administrators focus on managing stable, predictable environments. Cloud administrators work with dynamic, scalable and distributed systems that require different approaches. 

Ready to build cloud skills? Our free AWS workshop offers hands-on experience with cloud fundamentals. 

Career transition: Moving between roles 

System administrators often transition into cloud administration as their organizations adopt cloud services. This transition makes sense — you already understand systems, networking and IT operations. Adding cloud skills builds on that foundation. 

From system administrator to cloud administrator 

The transition path typically involves: 

• Building cloud knowledge: Start with foundational certifications like AWS Cloud Practitioner or Azure Fundamentals. These establish baseline cloud understanding without requiring deep technical expertise. 

• Getting hands-on experience: Create free-tier accounts with cloud providers and experiment. Deploy virtual machines, configure storage and set up databases. Mistakes cost nothing in lab environments. 

• Leveraging hybrid cloud projects: If your organization uses hybrid cloud, volunteer for projects that bridge on-premises and cloud systems. This gives you practical experience without leaving your current role. 

• Pursuing advanced certifications: Once you have foundational knowledge, target role-specific certifications like AWS Solutions Architect Associate or Azure Administrator Associate. 

• Highlighting transferable skills: When applying for cloud roles, emphasize your system administration background. Understanding operating systems, networking and troubleshooting translates directly to cloud environments. 

Many cloud administrators started as system administrators. The progression is natural and increasingly common. In our podcast episode "Boosting Your IT Career with Microsoft Azure Certifications", Infosec instructor Wilfredo Lanz explains how cloud certifications enhance careers for IT professionals, noting that understanding how to administer cloud resources has become critical as organizations migrate to platforms like Azure. 

From cloud administrator to other roles 

Cloud administration also serves as a springboard to other positions: 

• Cloud security engineer: Focus specifically on securing cloud environments, implementing compliance controls, responding to cloud security incidents and performing cloud security testing. 

• DevOps engineer: Combine cloud administration with software development practices to build automated deployment pipelines and infrastructure. 

• Cloud architect: Design large-scale cloud solutions, make platform decisions and guide organizations through cloud transformations. 

• Site reliability engineer: Ensure system reliability and performance, often straddling the line between development and operations. 

Choosing your path: Which role fits your goals? 

The right choice depends on your interests, current skills and where you want to be in five years. 

Choose system administration if you: 

• Prefer working with tangible hardware and local infrastructure 

• Want a stable entry point into IT with clearer role boundaries 

• Already have IT support or help desk experience 

• Work for an organization with limited cloud adoption 

• Enjoy troubleshooting a wide variety of technical problems 

• Want to build foundational IT skills before specializing 

Choose cloud administration if you: 

• Prefer working with virtualized, scalable infrastructure 

• Want to position yourself in a growing field 

• Already have system administration or networking experience 

• Are comfortable with constant learning and platform changes 

• Enjoy automation and programming more than hardware 

• Want to work for tech-forward organizations 

Neither choice is objectively better. Both paths offer solid careers with good compensation. The question is which aligns with your strengths and interests. 

One practical consideration: if you're just starting in IT, system administration might provide an easier entry point. The role requires less specialized knowledge upfront and offers more opportunities to learn on the job. Once you have that foundation, transitioning to cloud administration becomes much more manageable. 

If you already have IT experience and want to position yourself for the future, investing in cloud skills makes strategic sense. Organizations continue migrating to the cloud, creating sustained demand for cloud administrators. 

The convergence: Hybrid roles and future trends 

Here's something worth noting: the line between system administrator and cloud administrator continues to blur. Modern IT environments increasingly combine on-premises infrastructure with cloud services. This hybrid reality creates demand for professionals who understand both worlds. 

Many job postings now seek "cloud systems administrators" or "hybrid infrastructure administrators." These roles expect you to manage traditional servers on Monday, troubleshoot Azure networking on Tuesday and configure AWS security groups on Wednesday. 

If you're planning long-term, don't think of this as choosing between two separate career tracks. Think of it as deciding where to start and which skills to prioritize. The most valuable administrators understand both traditional IT and cloud platforms. 

The trajectory is clear: cloud adoption will continue growing. Organizations that haven't moved to the cloud yet will eventually migrate at least some workloads. This doesn't mean traditional system administration vanishes. It means the role evolves to encompass cloud management alongside on-premises systems. 

Taking the next step 

Both system administration and cloud administration offer rewarding careers with reasonable compensation and growth opportunities. The differences between them matter when you're planning your path, but both remain essential to modern IT operations. 

If you're at the beginning of your IT journey, focus on building foundational skills. Get comfortable with operating systems, networks, and basic troubleshooting. Earn entry-level certifications like CompTIA A+. Look for help desk or junior IT roles that give you hands-on experience. 

If you're an established system administrator considering cloud administration, start learning. Create cloud accounts, deploy some test resources, and get familiar with cloud platforms. Consider our cloud security training to understand how security principles apply in cloud environments. 

Both paths lead somewhere valuable. Choosing between a system administrator vs cloud administrator comes down to whether you prefer hands-on hardware and local services or cloud-native automation at scale. 

Continue your learning: 

• Explore our comprehensive cloud security resources 

• Learn about cloud penetration testing 

• Understand cloud migration security 

• Download the cybersecurity salary guide to compare compensation across IT and security roles