SYSTEMS ADMINISTRATOR SALARY: Average Systems Administrator Salary by State

Many system administrators are concerned that they are not being compensated adequately, especially given their heavy workload and long hours. In fact, 43% of system administrators believe their compensation is insufficient to cover the cost of living in their area. How does your location fare? We’ve done the research for you so you don’t have to sift through hundreds of job postings and study current trends to get an answer. Read on to discover the salary of a system administrator in different parts of the United States either as an IT, Linux, network, or entry-level systems administrator. 

What is a Systems Administrator?

A systems administrator is an information technology professional who is in charge of managing and maintaining an organization’s computer systems and networks. They are in charge of ensuring that an organization’s IT infrastructure, which includes servers, storage devices, networks, and databases, runs smoothly. They endeavor to guarantee that computer systems run efficiently, securely, and consistently and that employees have access to the tools and resources they require to do their tasks.

Systems administrators may be responsible for project management, vendor management, and budgeting in addition to technical tasks. They collaborate closely with other IT experts, such as network engineers and software developers, to ensure that systems and applications are properly linked and functional. They may also diagnose difficulties with end users and give technical assistance and training.

How Much Does a System Administrator Make?

According to the data we uncovered, the typical system administrator’s income in the United States is $84,363 per year. The price range is fairly wide, with values ranging from roughly $43,000 to $145,000.

Years of experience and geographic location are two major elements that influence a sysadmin’s salary. Let’s take a closer look at each of them:

The Average Salary of a System Administrator by Experience Level

Here are the national average salary for a systems administrator based on their years of experience:

• 3 years of experience — $57,974
• 4–9 years of experience — $69,097
• 10–14 years of experience — $79,400
• 15+ years of experience — $89,306

Senior System Administrator Salary

A Senior systems administrator salary varies greatly by area, with the national average salary being $81,745.

A typical senior system administrator job description includes:

• Experience with a variety of operating systems, backup and recovery techniques, and system performance monitoring tools is required.
• A thorough understanding of the ideas and methods of good management, as they frequently oversee junior administrators, even though they all report to the same manager.
• A non-disclosure agreement is required since they frequently work with sensitive personal information that is subject to data protection regulations.

Junior System Administrator Salary

A junior role is a standard for a less experienced system administrator. According to our research, the median yearly compensation for junior system administrators is $51,533.

A bachelor’s degree is unquestionably valuable in terms of competitive pay and job advancement in any information technology field, and system administration is no exception.

Updating hardware and software packages, reviewing documentation, installing computer and network systems, monitoring computer systems using a variety of tools, addressing risks, and enabling disaster recovery are typical duties of a junior system administrator. They can also provide IT support for both local and remote personnel, as well as train users on new software programs and technology.

The Average Salary of a System Administrator by Location

According to our data, a systems administrator salary either as an IT, network, entry-level, or Linux varies substantially by geography – in fact, sysadmins in the highest-paying state (Maryland) earn 41% more than those in the lowest-paying state (Kentucky).

States with the Highest Average Salaries

States with higher wages are typically ones with higher economic activity – they are home to Fortune 500 corporations or offer a diverse range of business options. Maryland, New York, and California are a few examples.

Here are the top ten states for system administrators’ annual salaries:

Washington, DC, would make the list if it were a state, as it has an average annual salary of $99,953.

It is crucial to note that the salary of a systems administrator either as an IT, network, Linux, or entry-level systems administrator might vary greatly within a state. California is a wonderful example: the average wage in San Francisco ranges from $109,998 to $97,130 in Los Angeles to $82,745 in San Diego. Similarly, salaries in Texas, which rated 11th overall, range from $70,640 in Dallas to $135,000 in Houston.

States with the Lowest Average Salaries

Many states in the South, Midwest, and Rust Belt have substantially lower average salaries for system administrators due to weak economic growth, industry crises, and a reliance on agriculture rather than manufacturing and business. Illinois is the sole exception in the Midwest, with an average pay of $85,313 that nearly places the state in the top ten.

The following are the ten states with the lowest annual pay for system administrators:

Where Is the Best Place to Work and Live for System Administrators?

Of course, the fact that the cost of living is higher in various areas contributes to higher wages. We investigated how rent differs by state (via Zillow.com) to get a better idea of how far your salary will actually go. By dividing the average rent by the average sysadmin salary in each state, a distinct picture of the greatest places to live from an economic standpoint emerges.

Here are the states with the greatest rent-to-sysadmin-salary ratios:

And here are the states with the lowest ratios:

As you can see, several of the states with the highest sysadmin salaries also have the highest monthly rent-to-income ratios (for example, California, New York, and New Jersey). Other places with exorbitant living costs cannot even brag about high sysadmin wages (for example, Alaska, Illinois, and Vermont). Florida, which is now regarded as one of the most appealing locations for startups, also has a high rent-to-income ratio (25%).

States with the lowest rent-to-income ratios include those with low staff wages (for example, Alabama and West Virginia). However, we were shocked to discover that certain states with high sysadmin salaries (for example, Maryland) do not have the most expensive rentals in the country.

How Do Systems Administrator Wages Compare to Other Jobs?

Systems administrators earn almost the same as their counterparts in the United States. They earn less than intelligence analysts but more than web engineers.

How to Increase Your Salary as a Systems Administrator

A position as a systems administrator is frequently the beginning of a long career in IT. A solid foundation in devices, networks, and communication technologies, along with a few years of systems administration experience, can lead to professionals planning and architecting large data centers, installing complicated security configurations, or inventing new networking software. Before you can reach those tremendous heights, though, you must first master the fundamentals.

A rookie systems administrator, or an experienced one seeking advancement and promotion, should prioritize education, certifications, experience, and industry. With your career in mind, you can approach each of those elements as a slider. For example, if you’re stuck in a company that isn’t going to promote you anytime soon, utilize the time to obtain a few certifications and apply to a company that will provide you with experience with a different type of network.

Whatever path you choose, it’s always a good idea to keep an eye on what other system administrators are paid. Check not only your immediate job market but also cities where you might consider relocating.

What Does the Typical Systems Administrator Career Path Look Like?

While there is no set path to becoming a system administrator, most system administrators often get a degree, gain practical experience, and then continue their education and training in system administration. Each step is broken down below:

#1. Get a degree

A bachelor’s degree in an IT-related subject, such as computer science, information science, computer engineering, or electrical engineering, is often required for most computer systems administrators to begin their careers. Courses in computer programming, system design, cybersecurity, and coding may also be beneficial as you begin your career in IT.

#2. Get experience

Experience is an important component of any IT profession. Most businesses prefer system administrators with three to five years of experience. A greater income is likely for Systems Administrators with more experience.

#3. Obtain Certification

Professional certification can not only offer you more information and expertise that will enhance your work as a sysadmin, but it can also result in a higher income and greater marketability as your administrative career progresses. The following are examples of common system administrator certifications:

• CompTIA credentials: CompTIA offers some of the most common sysadmin certifications, including CompTIA Security+, A+, and Network+.
• Red Hat certificates: Red Hat provides Linux-specific certificates in areas such as Red Hat OpenStack, shell scripting, security and access control, and others.
• Linux Professional Institute Certifications: The Linux Professional Institute offers credentials ranging from basic to advanced in distribution-neutral Linux operations.

What Does a System Administrator Do?

System administrators manage, support, and troubleshoot computer servers and networks. System administrators, often known as sysadmins, are information technology (IT) specialists that ensure that an organization’s computer systems are operational and suit its demands.

What Is the Maximum Salary for a System Administrator?

The average annual income for a Systems Administrator in the United States is $112,849 USD.

Is It Hard Being a System Administrator?

It necessitates a combination of difficult-to-acquire technical capabilities and communication abilities. And while some are good at first, they may struggle with the latter or vice versa. Wearing numerous hats requires a special person, which is why being a sysadmin is a difficult and in-demand career.

Do You Need a Degree to Be a System Administrator?

Sysadmins are IT experts who have worked in software development or engineering. A bachelor’s degree in computer science or information technology is required to work as a systems administrator.

How Do I Become a System Administrator With No Experience?

You are not needed to have any professional experience as an entry-level employee, although completing an internship can help you stand out from other system administrators.

What Certifications Do You Need to Be a Systems Administrator?

The following are the best system administrator certifications:

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert
• Professional Oracle Linux 8 System Administrator
• RHCE: Red Hat Certified Engineer
• CompTIA Server+
• VCAP-DCV Design

Conclusion

A big wage is no assurance that you will be able to live comfortably. States that offer high annual salaries, a diverse range of professional prospects, and a pleasant climate (for example, California) are frequently prohibitively expensive to live in. States with lower average annual salaries may be more inexpensive. Of course, you must select what is most important to you.

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References

• blog.netwrix
• careerexplorer
• cbtnuggets
• pdq