A server administrator keeps a company’s servers running—managing the hardware and software that everything else depends on. When something breaks at two in the morning, they fix it. It’s one of the more in-demand and well-paid positions in IT, with median salaries around $74k (Glassdoor).
If you’re in Sacramento and looking for training to move into this field, you’ve got options. This article walks through what’s worth considering locally in the Sacramento area, including a free program that helps you gain the experience and skills you need to start a career in IT.
Here’s the catch: server administration isn’t an entry-level role. Most job listings want three to five years of IT experience before they’ll consider you, plus either a college degree or solid certifications to back you up.
So if you’re starting from scratch, getting to server admin usually means:
- Getting the right training to land an entry-level IT role
- Building hands-on experience on the job
- Earning the appropriate certifications along the way
That’s where Climb Hire comes in. We’re a nonprofit offering free IT support training—the foundation you need to eventually move into server administration. No prior experience is required to enroll. We teach you everything you need to launch an IT career and get you certified.
We also include dedicated support to help you find your first IT job, where you’ll start building the hands-on experience server admin roles expect.
Below, we’ll start with what server administrator jobs actually look for—experience, certifications, and sometimes a college degree—and where to begin your training if you’re new to IT.
From there, we’ll walk through how Climb Hire’s free IT support program works and who it’s a good fit for, plus six other server administrator training programs in Sacramento worth considering.
Apply to Climb Hire’s free IT Support program and start building toward a career in server administration today.
What server administrator jobs actually require
Server administrator roles vary a lot depending on the employer and environment, but most listings come down to a combination of these three things.
1. Experience in server infrastructure
This is non-negotiable. Most listings want three to five years of hands-on work with the specific systems the job involves. They expect working knowledge of Windows Server, Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, virtualization, and backup and recovery.
General IT experience isn’t enough. Instead, employers usually want someone who has worked with actual server infrastructure.
2. Certifications
What’s required varies by role, but the most commonly mentioned include:
- CompTIA Security+
- CompTIA Network+
- CompTIA Server+
- Microsoft certifications like Microsoft Certified: Windows Server Hybrid Administrator Associate
Some listings don’t name specific certs at all and just say “relevant certifications preferred,” which usually means whatever aligns with the tech stack they’re running.
Most of these certifications involve passing one or two exams, and none of them are easy. They cover a broad range of technical material and include performance-based questions that test real-world problem-solving, not just memorization. That’s exactly what makes them valuable—passing them demonstrates to employers that you have the technical knowledge the role actually requires.
If you’re new to IT, the path typically starts with CompTIA A+ training, which is the foundation that Network+, Server+, and the rest build on.
Read more about where to find IT bootcamps in California.
3. College degree
A bachelor’s degree in computer science, IT, or a related field appears in a lot of listings, but it’s almost always “or equivalent experience.” In practice, strong hands-on experience and the right certifications can substitute for a degree in most server admin roles.
One thing is consistent across all of it: this is a role you work toward, not one you walk into.
If you’ve been working in IT for a few years and have hands-on experience with systems like Windows Server or Active Directory, you may already meet the experience bar. In that case, certifications are your next move.
If you’re starting from scratch, the path begins in IT support, where you start building the exact kind of hands-on experience these listings are asking for.
Read more: How to start a career in IT with no experience
Training for server administrator roles: Where to start if you’re new to IT
Server administrator training typically means preparing for certifications like Server+, Network+, or Microsoft credentials.
Those exams assume you already have hands-on IT experience. As we mentioned, if you don’t have that foundation yet, the first step isn’t those certifications. It’s getting into IT support.
IT support training is where you learn the fundamentals—troubleshooting hardware, managing operating systems, supporting networks—and where you start building the experience that server admin job listings are asking for. It’s also where you earn CompTIA A+, the certification that everything else builds on.
That’s exactly what Climb Hire offers: a free IT Support training program that prepares you for CompTIA A+ certification. We even help you land your first IT job.
Climb Hire: Free IT support training in Sacramento
Climb Hire is a nonprofit organization that helps working adults in California—including Sacramento—break into tech careers. We’re funded through government and philanthropic partnerships, which is what makes our programs completely free.
Our remote, six-month IT Support program directly prepares you for CompTIA A+ certification. We also include dedicated support to help you land your first IT job.
Thanks to this combination of technical training and job placement support, over 80% of Climbers secure a tech role within 12 months of graduating.
CompTIA A+ training
CompTIA A+ is the industry-standard certification for entry-level IT roles. It’s what employers look for on resumes and what the rest of the certification path builds on. Earning it requires passing two exams, Core 1 and Core 2.
Usually these exams cost over $500, but support from our donors means we’re able to provide free exam vouchers to all our students.
Our training course includes:
- Comprehensive curriculum covering all A+ exam domains: hardware, networking, mobile devices, operating systems, virtualization, cloud computing, security, and troubleshooting.
- Instructor-led classes, delivered via Zoom in small groups by industry experts, so you get real attention and can ask questions in real time.
- Hands-on labs that put concepts into practice, preparing you for the performance-based questions on the exam and the real-world troubleshooting the job requires.
- Job readiness training woven directly into the curriculum. This includes resume writing, interview prep, and professional communication—skills that will help you land a job.
You’ll also have the opportunity to earn the Google IT Support Professional certificate, a credential that can add extra weight to your resume when you start sending out applications.
Job placement support
We understand that the whole reason you’re looking into IT training—and eventually server administration—is to get a lucrative, stable job. That’s why job placement support is built directly into the program.
All students receive:
- One-on-one support from a Career Development Advisor who helps you shape your story and elevator pitch, refine your resume, prepare for interviews, and navigate the job search from first application to offer.
- Direct access to our professional community of industry experts and employer partners—the kind of connections that lead directly to interviews and referrals.
- Full use of our Alumni Network Portal, including a curated job board, networking events, and application tools.
- Lifetime access to the Climb Hire alumni community, where Climbers continue to share opportunities and support each other long after graduating.
- One year of LinkedIn Premium, giving you tools to connect directly with hiring managers and reach out to professionals in your field.
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Here’s what that support looks like in practice. Montrel Dunlap came to Climb Hire looking for a career change and a clear path into tech. After completing the IT Support program, he landed a role as a fully-qualified Desktop Support Technician.
“Having a specific resume for each position you apply for really sets you apart and shows what you can deliver for that job.”
Meanwhile, Tanairy Alfaro Salazar came to Climb Hire without a degree and landed a job offer just one week after finishing the program.
“I was afraid no one was going to hire someone without a college degree, but Climb Hire changed my mind about that. They taught me how to properly create a resume, LinkedIn profile, and helped me prepare for interviews. I had no idea how to do any of these things before. Climb Hire changed my life.”
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6 more IT server administrator training options in Sacramento
If Climb Hire isn’t the right fit for where you are right now, here are six other programs worth considering in Sacramento. These range from full beginner-to-advanced tracks to specific certification training for people looking to upskill.
1. Asher College: Network and Computer Systems Administration
Asher College’s Sacramento campus offers an in-person program that prepares you for careers in Network Administration and Server Administration. No IT experience is required, and by the time you finish, you’ll have the certifications that server administrator roles commonly ask for.
- Certifications covered include CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+, Server+, and Cisco CCNA—earned on-site as part of the program
- You can complete the certificate in as little as 12 months at 24 hours per week, or 17–25 months at a lighter pace
- Tuition runs over $28k. Contact Asher for specific program pricing. Financial aid through FAFSA and veteran education benefits are accepted
An Associate of Applied Science degree option is also available with additional coursework.
2. Cosumnes River College: Computer Information Science Programs
While Cosumnes River College doesn’t offer a dedicated Server Administrator program, several of its broader IT programs cover the foundational skills the path requires. The most relevant options for someone on a server admin path are:
Information Technology Certificate
- 25 units, roughly one year full-time
- Covers network systems administration, Linux server administration, and networking technologies
- Courses like Network Systems Administration go directly into server hardware, software, and administration
Information Technology Associate AS Degree
- Same core curriculum plus general education requirements
- Takes two years or more
- Results in an academic degree rather than a certificate
As a California community college, tuition is $46 per unit.
3. Business Computer Skills: CompTIA Server+ Training
Business Computer Skills is a national IT training provider with a location in Sacramento. They offer instructor-led certification courses across a range of IT topics. Their Server+ course is the most directly relevant option for someone on a server admin path.
This is a focused exam prep course, not a full program—best suited for IT professionals who already have experience and need to get Server+ certified.
- Covers server hardware and OS installation, security hardening, troubleshooting, high availability, disaster recovery, and storage management
- Five-day virtual instructor-led course or self-paced on-demand. You can attend from the Sacramento location or remotely
- Includes an exam pass guarantee, where you’ll need to pass the practice test at 85% or higher to receive your exam voucher
- Option to retake the course for free within one year
The course costs $2.5k.
Read more: Job training programs in Sacramento
4. Sacramento City College: Network Administration Certificate or AS degree
Sacramento City College offers two Network Administration tracks—a Certificate of Achievement and an AS degree—both centered on networking rather than server administration specifically. The two fields overlap significantly, so many of the skills covered are the same ones server admin job listings ask for.
Certificate of Achievement
- 30 units, roughly one to two years, depending on pace
- Core courses cover network systems administration, TCP/IP, Windows Active Directory Services, and Cisco CCNA networking
- Electives are where this program gets more relevant to server administration. Options include Linux server administration, virtualization, cloud infrastructure, SQL Server database administration, and disaster recovery
- Tuition is $46 per unit, or roughly $1.4k total for California residents
AS degree
- 64–65 units, roughly two years full-time
- Same core networking curriculum plus general education requirements
- Results in an associate degree rather than a certificate
- Tuition is $46 per unit, or about $3k total for California residents
5. Certstaffix Training: Windows Server and Server+ courses
Certstaffix Training is a national IT training provider offering certification prep courses to individuals and corporate teams. They serve the Sacramento area through live, instructor-led online training classes or on-site group training at your organization. Self-paced eLearning options are also available for most topics.
This is certification-specific training for IT professionals who already have experience and need to prepare for a specific exam, not a full program for beginners. However, they do also offer foundational courses like CompTIA A+ for those earlier in the path.
- Server+ (SK0-005): Self-paced eLearning and instructor-led options
- Windows Server courses are instructor-led and cover installation, configuration, administration, and troubleshooting
The Server+ self-paced course costs $490. The instructor-led Windows Server courses hover around $3k.
6. ONLC Training Centers: Windows Server, Azure, and CompTIA Certifications
ONLC is a national IT training provider with a Sacramento location, with instruction delivered remotely via a live instructor. They offer the full CompTIA certification pathway, so whether you’re starting out with A+ or preparing for Server+, they have courses for both.
Their most relevant courses for the server admin path are AZ-800 and AZ-801. These prepare you for the Microsoft Certified: Windows Server Hybrid Administrator Associate certification.
- Full CompTIA pathway available via separate courses: Tech+, A+, Network+, Security+, Server+, and more, instructor-led or self-paced
- Windows Server and Azure courses last four days, with an instructor-led format
- You can attend from the Sacramento training center or remotely
Instructor-led courses range from approximately $2.4 to $2.8k. Self-paced on-demand options start around $1.3k.
Start your IT career with Climb Hire
Server administration isn’t an entry-level role, but it’s easily reachable if you start in the right place. For anyone in Sacramento beginning from scratch, Climb Hire offers a free path into IT.
Our IT Support program gives you the foundational technical skills and CompTIA A+ certification that employers look for in entry-level IT roles. From there, you’ll land your first job, start gaining the hands-on experience server admin roles require, and work your way up from there.
Here’s what you get when you enroll:
- Completely free CompTIA A+ training, including exam vouchers
- Instructor-led, live classes delivered via Zoom by industry experts
- Hands-on labs that prepare you for the exam and real-world troubleshooting
- Dedicated job placement support to help you land a job
Over 80% of Climb Hire graduates secure a role within 12 months.
Apply to our IT Support program today and take the first step toward a career in server administration.