What is SCCM, Certification, Job Description and Salary?
A Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager might sound like a mouthful, but it is a useful tool that allows users to manage multiple Windows computers at once. Using Microsoft InTune, users can manage computers that are connected to corporations or networks, using multiple operating systems.
What Are the Roles and Responsibilities?
The roles and responsibilities of an SCCM engineer mostly fall under the umbrella of:
- Designing
- Deploying
- Configuring
- Patching
- Remote control
An SCCM must be well-versed in software distribution and patching, but they also need to be able to build and distribute software packages for workstations across the board at whatever company they might be working for. Once the software has been deployed, an SCCM engineer typically also provides administrative support and care to make sure it is working properly through every computer system.
What is exciting about an SCCM position is that you have to stay up-to-date with offered software applications and services, so you can integrate them into your systems as soon as possible. Research is a big part of the job. In fact, as you start to look for positions in SCCM, you will likely notice that regular research and studying of new applications is often listed as a primary responsibility when it comes to what employers are looking for.
Some of the most common additional responsibilities include:
- Desktop/application troubleshooting
- Knowledge of VBScript or Powershell
- Leading the development of new technology to create a seamless user experience
As you can see, you will wear many hats when it comes to your role with SCCM, but they payoff is often worth it, as you’ll find out below.
How Much Can You Earn as a Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM)?
In the U.S., the average salary for working with SCCM is currently $68,537 per year. One major ‘perk’ to becoming an SCCM is that you don’t necessarily have to go to college and spend four years studying and spending thousands of dollars. While some employers do require either an associate’s or bachelor’s degree, it isn’t always needed and they will often look at other factors to determine if you are the best person for the job (as well as the salary you should earn).
Typically, SCCM engineers get hired based on skills and experience. However, Microsoft offers certification courses to work in SCCM. While they aren’t required if you already have a lot of expertise in the area, certification directly from Microsoft can look great on a resume when you’re job hunting.
You can also use Field Engineer to find SCCM jobs near you, if you’re thinking about becoming a freelancer or using your skills to settle into a contract position. As a freelance SCCM engineer, the amount of income you can earn depends on how many clients and jobs you’re willing to take on, so the sky is truly the limit if you have the necessary skills.
Microsoft
Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re interested in being an SCCM engineer, you might have questions about the best way to do it. Let’s cover a few of the most common inquiries, and hopefully clear up any confusion you might be dealing with:
Is it Hard to Learn SCCM?
Because SCCM utilizes several different technologies in one platform, it can be difficult to learn unless you have a developed interest or natural skill in such things.
How Can You Become Certified?
SCCM certification comes directly from Microsoft. You can take an optional training course to prepare yourself that is also provided by Microsoft, or jump directly into the free exam. Upon passing the exam, you will be certified and can add that achievement to your resume.
Is SCCM Going Away?
There has been some talk about SCCM ‘going away’, but that isn’t true, according to Microsoft. Instead, the company is offering a newer service called Microsoft Endpoint Manager. It combines SCCM and Microsoft Intune, so it is more of a rebrand than a replacement.
Considering SCCM As a Career
If you have a passion for the tech world and you already have working knowledge of Microsoft SCCM, you could set yourself up for a very successful career either in a particular company or as a contractor.
Even if you don’t currently know much about SCCM, having skills in other technological platforms can give you a headstart when it comes to training, and even certification. There will always be a need for SCCM engineers in the business world, so it is a career that can offer you a sense of security from the start.
