System administrators—also known as sysadmins—are information technology (IT) professionals who make sure an organization’s computer systems are functioning and meet the needs of the organization. They support, troubleshoot, and maintain computer servers and networks.
System administrators are an important part of the regular operations of many companies. They work with technology and people to ensure their systems are in peak operating condition.
Salary expectations for a system administrator role vary according to geographic location, work history and experience level. For example, a system administrator with five years of experience is likely to make more than one in their first year.
Who is a system administrator?
Systems administrators are in charge of configuring and maintaining all computer software, hardware, and telecommunications operations within a specific firm or corporation. They install hardware and software and make sure all systems are running properly. They add users and train them to use the hardware and software in the manner for which they are intended. System admins also solve problems and use data to test a system’s performance.
Consider the information in the following table to determine if a career as a computer system administrator is the right career for you.
| Degree Required | Bachelor’s degree required by most employers |
| Education Field of Study | Computer science, information science, computer engineering |
| Key Skills | Analytical, communication, computer, multitasking and problem-solving skills |
| Job Growth (2020-2030) | 5% for all network and computer systems administrators* |
A system administrator’s job will be not only to ensure that current systems run smoothly and software is up-to-date but also to recognize when business needs or technological advancements call for system upgrades. For instance, you may sporadically install updated versions of software programs your company already uses. In small businesses, you may install and update systems yourself; in larger companies, you’ll often need to develop budgets or timelines and delegate some responsibilities to other information technology staff.
In addition to computer software, you’ll be responsible for the upkeep, troubleshooting, and maintenance of information networks. These may include the Internet, company databases – and all information in them – and Internet hardware like wireless routers. You may install and update anti-virus software to secure company network data, run tests to make sure systems work properly, and troubleshoot and repair any computers experiencing operational problems.
In the event that network security is compromised by a virus or break-in, you may run a system restore or data recovery program.
What does a system administrator do?
A system administrator, sometimes called a sysadmin, is responsible for the configuration, upkeep, and reliable operation of a company’s network and computer systems. In addition to identifying and fixing any network issues, they also make updates to the equipment and software to ensure they’re current. They may work in office settings for small or large companies or in government organizations.
Some of the specific responsibilities that system administrators may have include:
Providing technical support
System administrators respond to and provide technical support for the systems they manage. This can include answering support tickets other employees submit to them or responding to phone calls from people who need help with the system. They’re often the highest-level experts on their system since they often design and monitor the system.
Managing computer operating systems
Many system administrators also manage the computer operating systems connected to their system. This can include managing firewalls, choosing which operating system an organization uses and maximizing the security of the system by keeping each computer up to date. They may even choose the hardware systems the organization uses.
Upgrading systems
When systems start to lag behind the most recent technology, some organizations upgrade. System administrators are often one of the first people to decide what technology an organization can use and how to integrate that technology into its current system. This includes finding new software and hardware to use and testing it for safety and reliability before releasing it to the organization.
Monitoring systems
As part of providing technical support, system administrators often monitor a system to ensure it’s working at peak capacity. This includes identifying potential challenges, like heavy traffic and distributed denial-of-service (DDOS) attacks, and responding to them before they interrupt the system’s ability to operate. It can also include checking other employees to ensure they’re following protocols for safe data usage and information security.
Creating data backlogs
System administrators are also data experts. They can store data from within the system, create backlogs and organize data so that nothing important is lost to the organization. This is important in case the system crashes or hackers gain entry into the system to remove or steal data.
System administrator salary
System administrators make a median annual income of $81,266, according to Indeed. Various job listing sites show the average yearly pay for system administrators ranges from $80,600 to $89,528.
Here are the base salary ranges given by five different organizations that track system administrator salaries:
| BLS.gov | Zippia | Glassdoor | Indeed | Lightcast™ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $80,600 | $77,156 | $76,155 | $81,266 | $89,527.82 |
While there are annual salaries as high as $115,500 and as low as $37,500, the majority of systems administrator salaries currently range between $67,000 (25th percentile) to $94,500 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $107,000 annually across the United States. The average salary range for an IT systems administrator varies greatly (by as much as $27,500).
This suggests that there may be many opportunities for advancement and increased pay based on skill level, location, and years of experience.
Salary range by state
| State | Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $105,468 | $8,789 | $2,028 | $50.71 |
| New York | $94,954 | $7,912 | $1,826 | $45.65 |
| Vermont | $93,059 | $7,754 | $1,789 | $44.74 |
| California | $90,148 | $7,512 | $1,733 | $43.34 |
| Massachusetts | $88,133 | $7,344 | $1,694 | $42.37 |
| Maine | $87,757 | $7,313 | $1,687 | $42.19 |
| Alaska | $87,396 | $7,283 | $1,680 | $42.02 |
| Pennsylvania | $86,973 | $7,247 | $1,672 | $41.81 |
| Idaho | $86,447 | $7,203 | $1,662 | $41.56 |
| Oregon | $86,237 | $7,186 | $1,658 | $41.46 |
| North Dakota | $86,192 | $7,182 | $1,657 | $41.44 |
| Texas | $86,057 | $7,171 | $1,654 | $41.37 |
| New Jersey | $85,813 | $7,151 | $1,650 | $41.26 |
| New Hampshire | $84,730 | $7,060 | $1,629 | $40.74 |
| Wisconsin | $84,725 | $7,060 | $1,629 | $40.73 |
| Hawaii | $84,577 | $7,048 | $1,626 | $40.66 |
| Colorado | $84,516 | $7,043 | $1,625 | $40.63 |
| Wyoming | $83,113 | $6,926 | $1,598 | $39.96 |
| Nevada | $82,636 | $6,886 | $1,589 | $39.73 |
| Indiana | $81,814 | $6,817 | $1,573 | $39.33 |
| Minnesota | $81,536 | $6,794 | $1,568 | $39.20 |
| South Dakota | $81,460 | $6,788 | $1,566 | $39.16 |
| New Mexico | $81,395 | $6,782 | $1,565 | $39.13 |
| Delaware | $80,238 | $6,686 | $1,543 | $38.58 |
| Arizona | $80,122 | $6,676 | $1,540 | $38.52 |
| Rhode Island | $79,876 | $6,656 | $1,536 | $38.40 |
| Virginia | $79,398 | $6,616 | $1,526 | $38.17 |
| Ohio | $79,342 | $6,611 | $1,525 | $38.15 |
| Montana | $78,914 | $6,576 | $1,517 | $37.94 |
| Connecticut | $78,123 | $6,510 | $1,502 | $37.56 |
| Illinois | $77,968 | $6,497 | $1,499 | $37.48 |
| Alabama | $77,930 | $6,494 | $1,498 | $37.47 |
| Maryland | $77,786 | $6,482 | $1,495 | $37.40 |
| Iowa | $77,753 | $6,479 | $1,495 | $37.38 |
| Mississippi | $77,412 | $6,451 | $1,488 | $37.22 |
| Nebraska | $76,358 | $6,363 | $1,468 | $36.71 |
| Tennessee | $75,750 | $6,312 | $1,456 | $36.42 |
| Utah | $75,666 | $6,305 | $1,455 | $36.38 |
| Missouri | $75,277 | $6,273 | $1,447 | $36.19 |
| South Carolina | $74,502 | $6,208 | $1,432 | $35.82 |
| Oklahoma | $73,946 | $6,162 | $1,422 | $35.55 |
| North Carolina | $72,965 | $6,080 | $1,403 | $35.08 |
| Kansas | $72,884 | $6,073 | $1,401 | $35.04 |
| Georgia | $72,598 | $6,049 | $1,396 | $34.90 |
| Louisiana | $71,188 | $5,932 | $1,369 | $34.23 |
| Michigan | $70,036 | $5,836 | $1,346 | $33.67 |
| Kentucky | $69,990 | $5,832 | $1,345 | $33.65 |
| West Virginia | $67,171 | $5,597 | $1,291 | $32.29 |
| Arkansas | $66,532 | $5,544 | $1,279 | $31.99 |
| Florida | $64,249 | $5,354 | $1,235 | $30.89 |
Factors that affect a system administrator’s salary
Factors like your education level and experience in the field can boost your potential computer system administrator earnings. Your location could also impact your salary due to the demand for system administrators or the cost of living in a particular area. Some industry sectors will earn more than others, depending on your particular interests or specialties.
Education
System administrators usually need a bachelor’s degree, although some employers may accept an associate and others require a master’s. Common degree fields include computer and information technologies. Additionally, computer system administrators should also consider certification for the products they use.
Here are the average system administrator salaries based on education level, according to Zippia as of June 2023:
- Associate degree: $76,033
- Bachelor’s degree: $82,424
- Master’s degree: $84,844
Location
Where you live can affect how much you can make as a system administrator because of factors such as the cost of living, demand for work in the area, and other regional issues.
Here are the five top-paying states (by average salary) for system administrators, based on data collected by BLS in May 2022:
- District of Columbia.: $116,470
- Nevada: $113,140
- New Jersey: $112,140
- California: $112,080
- Virginia: $109,410
Some cities may have higher earnings than others based on the cost of living or the number of system administrator positions. You can earn more if you live in these areas or are able to move to a region with higher earning potential.
For example, the San Jose, Sunnyvale, and Santa Clara (California) area has the highest average income at $151,500 for network and computer system administrators. In Silicon Valley, workers in the San Francisco, Oakland, and Hayward area can earn an average annual income of $127,320, according to the BLS [7].
On the East Coast, a system administrator in the New York, Newark, and Jersey City area can earn an average annual income of $115,960, while system administrators working in the Atlanta metro area earn an average salary of $105,130
Experience
Your previous experience as a system administrator can impact your salary, as more experience can lead to a higher annual income. As of August 2023, here are the estimated average base salaries you can expect based on your previous experience, according to Glassdoor:
- 0-1 year: $64,527
- 1-3 years: $70,158
- 4-6 years: $74,651
- 7-9 years: $78,978
- 10-14 years: $84,806
- 15+ years: $93,308
Industry
Income can vary from industry to industry, with workers in some fields earning higher salaries as system administrators than others. For example, as of May 2021, working with finance and insurance can yield a median annual income of $96,860. Jobs at information companies can earn you $94,980 in median yearly salary, according to the BLS.
Glassdoor also lists the following five industries as the highest-paying (by median pay) for system administrators in August 2023. Note that Glassdoor includes additional compensation in its figures, such as stocks, cash, bonuses, and other benefits along with base pay, while BLS, for example, only includes base pay:
- Energy, mining, and utilities: $101,171
- Financial services: $99,469
- Pharmaceutical and biotechnology: $97,676
- Telecommunications: $95,557
- Retail and wholesale: $94,986
Certifications for system administrators
There are several certifications you can take in order to gain experience as a systems administrator.
Windows server administration fundamentals
Knowing Windows servers is likely to be a significant asset as a system administrator. The Windows Server Administration Fundamentals certification will qualify your expertise in Windows servers, networking, Active Directory, account management, and system recovery tools.
Red Hat system administrator certification
Getting the Red Hat System Administrator Certification will give you the needed experience with Linux operating systems to land an entry-level job in systems administration.
CompTIA Server+ or A+
CompTIA offers several certifications that are designed to prepare you for entry-level positions. The Server+ or A+ certifications in particular will leave you with the necessary skills and experience under your belt to start applying for entry-level IT jobs. While you’ll gain specialized knowledge around servers with the Server+ certification, the A+ certification covers a broader set of skills applicable to other aspects of IT.
Google IT support professional certificate
The Google IT Support Professional Certificate equips you with the skills to tackle common sysadmin tasks such as customer support and troubleshooting. It also introduces you to commonly used systems like Linux and Domain Name Systems and prepares you for the CompTIA A+ exam. Though not a certification, the course will earn you an industry-recognized professional certificate at the end. It requires no previous experience.
Recommended Articles
- Staff Software Engineer: Who Are They & What Do They Do?
- Social Media Manager Salary: How Much Do They Make in 2024?
- 20 Reasonable Personal Reasons To Call Off Work
- Career vs Job: What’s The Difference & Which Should You Have?
- Budget Analyst Salary: How Much Do Budget Analysts Make in 2024?
- What Are the Best Foreign Languages to Learn to Boost Your Career and Business Opportunities?
References
