Firewall administrators are people who are responsible for configuring, maintaining, and monitoring firewall devices. This article will introduce you to what a Firewall Administrator is, the career information and prospects of a PFirewall Administrator, and the necessary conditions to become a Firewall Administrator.

1. What is a Firewall Administrator？

Firewall administrators are people who are responsible for configuring, maintaining, and monitoring firewall devices. Their responsibilities are to ensure the security and stability of the company's internal network. They prevent unauthorized access and ensure the smooth transmission of legitimate data by setting access control policies, limiting illegal traffic, and continuously monitoring network activities.

2. What does a Firewall Administrator do?

Firewall administrators are often responsible for designing, deploying, and maintaining the network and its security infrastructure in an organization, applying industry best practices and current technologies, supporting their application in RDT and E environments, and participating in the assessment of security risks brought about by proposed IPS/IDS modifications. In daily work, you need to manage Cisco Firepower IPS/IDS and related network security systems according to established policies, analyze network security needs, and promote perimeter security improvements. Administrators also need to design, configure, and troubleshoot various IPS/IDS technologies based on network industry standards. In addition, as a professional technical consultant, the fire protection administrator collaborates with customers, other infrastructure teams, and business departments to ensure that problems are resolved in a timely manner, and is responsible for writing and updating relevant documentation for the security infrastructure. At the same time, you need to participate in the development and maintenance of relevant standard operating procedures (SOPs), cooperate with the IT team to promote various projects, and provide professional advice on monthly progress and status reports. Daily responsibilities also include monitoring network performance and making necessary optimization adjustments, software installation, patch management, file system maintenance, and performance monitoring of IPS/IDS systems.

3. Career Insights: Salary, Outlook & Related Roles

(1) Firewall Administrator Salary

According to ZipRecruiter, the average hourly wage for a Firewall Administrator in the United States is $45.53 as of May 1, 2025. Hourly wages can be as high as $77.40 and as low as $24.28, but most Firewall Administrator salaries currently range from $35.10 to $49.76 across the United States. The average salary range for a Firewall Administrator varies greatly, which means there may be many opportunities for advancement and increased pay based on skill level, location, and years of experience.

(2) Job Outlook of Firewall Administrator

In today's highly interconnected era, technology has brought many security challenges while making life more convenient, one of which is cyber attacks and threats. In this context, firewall administrators, as important guardians of the network security line of defense, shoulder the key responsibilities of protecting sensitive information and strengthening organizational defense. They use effective strategies and technical means to reduce network risks and ensure data flow and system security. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), network and information security-related positions are expected to grow by 35% from 2021 to 2031. This trend shows that there is a broad prospect for career development in this field and demand continues to rise.

(3) Similar Occupations

• Security Engineer
• Network Engineer
• Cybersecurity Manager/Administrator
• Network Security Consultant
• Security Consultant
• Information Security Analyst
• Firewall-specific roles
• Microsoft Network Administrator

4. What Are the Qualifications to Become a Firewall Administrator?

(1) Obtain a Bachelor's Degree

Many firewall administrators have degrees in computer science, information technology, or related fields. Therefore, if you want to become a firewall administrator, you should first obtain a degree certificate in a related field. Of course, improving your education and professional skills while working will also be helpful for your career.

(2) Develop professional skills

Firewall administrators need to be proficient in network device configuration and management of firewall devices, master TCP/IP protocols, routing switching and network security architecture, and be able to use tools for data analysis and troubleshooting. At the same time, they need to maintain and update firewall systems to ensure compliance requirements, so they should have scripting skills to achieve operation and maintenance automation. With the popularity of cloud computing, administrators also need to master the security configuration and policies of cloud platforms. Good communication and collaboration skills are necessary, especially when working with a team, explaining security issues to non-technical personnel, and emergency response. These necessary professional skills require job seekers to accumulate in school education and internships.

(3) Earn Industry Certifications

Certification is often a strong proof of personal skills, and obtaining industry-recognized certification can make you more competitive in the workplace. When applying for infrastructure engineer positions, it is helpful to obtain certain certifications as they can help you develop the key skills and knowledge required for the position and make your resume more noticeable to employers. CCNP Service Provider certification validates your expertise in implementing core service provider network technologies, including architecture, services, networking, automation, and more. Earning the Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) Service Provider certification can help you get a leg up in your job search as a firewall administrator.

5. Summarize

Firewall administrators are people who are responsible for configuring, maintaining, and monitoring firewall devices. Firewall administrators are usually required to have a bachelor's degree or above in computer science or related majors, and have a deep understanding of network basics and information security principles. At the same time, it is also important to have practical experience in operating firewalls and be familiar with mainstream operating systems and their management tools.