{"id":169749,"date":"2023-12-29T19:33:18","date_gmt":"2023-12-29T19:33:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/businessyield.com\/?p=169749"},"modified":"2023-12-29T19:33:21","modified_gmt":"2023-12-29T19:33:21","slug":"average-systems-administrator-salary-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/businessyield.com\/careers\/average-systems-administrator-salary-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Average Systems Administrator Salary: 2024 Salary Guide","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"

System administrators\u2014also known as sysadmins\u2014are information technology (IT) professionals who make sure an organization\u2019s computer systems are functioning and meet the needs of the organization. They support, troubleshoot, and maintain computer servers and networks.<\/p>

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. <\/p>

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.\u00a0<\/p>

Who is a system administrator?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>

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.<\/p>

Consider the information in the following table to determine if a career as a computer system administrator is the right career for you.<\/p>

Degree Required<\/strong><\/td>Bachelor’s degree required by most employers<\/td><\/tr>
Education Field of Study<\/strong><\/td>Computer science, information science, computer engineering<\/td><\/tr>
Key Skills<\/strong><\/td>Analytical, communication, computer, multitasking and problem-solving skills<\/td><\/tr>
Job Growth (2020-2030)<\/strong><\/td>5% for all network and computer systems administrators*<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>

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.<\/p>

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. <\/p>

In the event that network security is compromised by a virus or break-in, you may run a system restore or data recovery program.<\/p>

What does a system administrator do?<\/strong><\/h2>

A system administrator, sometimes called a sysadmin, is responsible for the configuration, upkeep, and reliable operation of a company’s network and computer systems. \u00a0In 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. <\/p>

Some of the specific responsibilities that system administrators may have include:<\/p>

Providing technical support<\/strong><\/h3>

System administrators respond to and provide technical support for the systems they manage. This can include answering support\u00a0tickets\u00a0other 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.<\/p>

Managing computer operating systems<\/strong><\/h3>

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.<\/p>

Upgrading systems<\/strong><\/h3>

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.<\/p>

Monitoring systems<\/strong><\/h3>

As part of providing technical support, system administrators often monitor a system to ensure it’s working at peak capacity. This includes identifying\u00a0potential challenges, like heavy traffic and distributed denial-of-service (DDOS) attacks,\u00a0and 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\u00a0information security.<\/p>

Creating data backlogs<\/strong><\/h3>

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.<\/p>

System administrator salary<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>

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.<\/p>

Here are the base salary ranges given by five different organizations that track system administrator salaries:<\/p>

BLS.gov<\/th>Zippia<\/th>Glassdoor<\/th>Indeed<\/th>Lightcast\u2122<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
$80,600<\/td>$77,156<\/td>$76,155<\/td>$81,266<\/td>$89,527.82<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>

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).<\/p>

This suggests that there may be many opportunities for advancement and increased pay based on skill level, location, and years of experience.<\/p>

Salary range by state<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>
State<\/th>Annual Salary<\/th>Monthly Pay<\/th>Weekly Pay<\/th>Hourly Wage<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Washington<\/td>$105,468<\/td>$8,789<\/td>$2,028<\/td>$50.71<\/td><\/tr>
New York<\/td>$94,954<\/td>$7,912<\/td>$1,826<\/td>$45.65<\/td><\/tr>
Vermont<\/td>$93,059<\/td>$7,754<\/td>$1,789<\/td>$44.74<\/td><\/tr>
California<\/td>$90,148<\/td>$7,512<\/td>$1,733<\/td>$43.34<\/td><\/tr>
Massachusetts<\/td>$88,133<\/td>$7,344<\/td>$1,694<\/td>$42.37<\/td><\/tr>
Maine<\/td>$87,757<\/td>$7,313<\/td>$1,687<\/td>$42.19<\/td><\/tr>
Alaska<\/td>$87,396<\/td>$7,283<\/td>$1,680<\/td>$42.02<\/td><\/tr>
Pennsylvania<\/td>$86,973<\/td>$7,247<\/td>$1,672<\/td>$41.81<\/td><\/tr>
Idaho<\/td>$86,447<\/td>$7,203<\/td>$1,662<\/td>$41.56<\/td><\/tr>
Oregon<\/td>$86,237<\/td>$7,186<\/td>$1,658<\/td>$41.46<\/td><\/tr>
North Dakota<\/td>$86,192<\/td>$7,182<\/td>$1,657<\/td>$41.44<\/td><\/tr>
Texas<\/td>$86,057<\/td>$7,171<\/td>$1,654<\/td>$41.37<\/td><\/tr>
New Jersey<\/td>$85,813<\/td>$7,151<\/td>$1,650<\/td>$41.26<\/td><\/tr>
New Hampshire<\/td>$84,730<\/td>$7,060<\/td>$1,629<\/td>$40.74<\/td><\/tr>
Wisconsin<\/td>$84,725<\/td>$7,060<\/td>$1,629<\/td>$40.73<\/td><\/tr>
Hawaii<\/td>$84,577<\/td>$7,048<\/td>$1,626<\/td>$40.66<\/td><\/tr>
Colorado<\/td>$84,516<\/td>$7,043<\/td>$1,625<\/td>$40.63<\/td><\/tr>
Wyoming<\/td>$83,113<\/td>$6,926<\/td>$1,598<\/td>$39.96<\/td><\/tr>
Nevada<\/td>$82,636<\/td>$6,886<\/td>$1,589<\/td>$39.73<\/td><\/tr>
Indiana<\/td>$81,814<\/td>$6,817<\/td>$1,573<\/td>$39.33<\/td><\/tr>
Minnesota<\/td>$81,536<\/td>$6,794<\/td>$1,568<\/td>$39.20<\/td><\/tr>
South Dakota<\/td>$81,460<\/td>$6,788<\/td>$1,566<\/td>$39.16<\/td><\/tr>
New Mexico<\/td>$81,395<\/td>$6,782<\/td>$1,565<\/td>$39.13<\/td><\/tr>
Delaware<\/td>$80,238<\/td>$6,686<\/td>$1,543<\/td>$38.58<\/td><\/tr>
Arizona<\/td>$80,122<\/td>$6,676<\/td>$1,540<\/td>$38.52<\/td><\/tr>
Rhode Island<\/td>$79,876<\/td>$6,656<\/td>$1,536<\/td>$38.40<\/td><\/tr>
Virginia<\/td>$79,398<\/td>$6,616<\/td>$1,526<\/td>$38.17<\/td><\/tr>
Ohio<\/td>$79,342<\/td>$6,611<\/td>$1,525<\/td>$38.15<\/td><\/tr>
Montana<\/td>$78,914<\/td>$6,576<\/td>$1,517<\/td>$37.94<\/td><\/tr>
Connecticut<\/td>$78,123<\/td>$6,510<\/td>$1,502<\/td>$37.56<\/td><\/tr>
Illinois<\/td>$77,968<\/td>$6,497<\/td>$1,499<\/td>$37.48<\/td><\/tr>
Alabama<\/td>$77,930<\/td>$6,494<\/td>$1,498<\/td>$37.47<\/td><\/tr>
Maryland<\/td>$77,786<\/td>$6,482<\/td>$1,495<\/td>$37.40<\/td><\/tr>
Iowa<\/td>$77,753<\/td>$6,479<\/td>$1,495<\/td>$37.38<\/td><\/tr>
Mississippi<\/td>$77,412<\/td>$6,451<\/td>$1,488<\/td>$37.22<\/td><\/tr>
Nebraska<\/td>$76,358<\/td>$6,363<\/td>$1,468<\/td>$36.71<\/td><\/tr>
Tennessee<\/td>$75,750<\/td>$6,312<\/td>$1,456<\/td>$36.42<\/td><\/tr>
Utah<\/td>$75,666<\/td>$6,305<\/td>$1,455<\/td>$36.38<\/td><\/tr>
Missouri<\/td>$75,277<\/td>$6,273<\/td>$1,447<\/td>$36.19<\/td><\/tr>
South Carolina<\/td>$74,502<\/td>$6,208<\/td>$1,432<\/td>$35.82<\/td><\/tr>
Oklahoma<\/td>$73,946<\/td>$6,162<\/td>$1,422<\/td>$35.55<\/td><\/tr>
North Carolina<\/td>$72,965<\/td>$6,080<\/td>$1,403<\/td>$35.08<\/td><\/tr>
Kansas<\/td>$72,884<\/td>$6,073<\/td>$1,401<\/td>$35.04<\/td><\/tr>
Georgia<\/td>$72,598<\/td>$6,049<\/td>$1,396<\/td>$34.90<\/td><\/tr>
Louisiana<\/td>$71,188<\/td>$5,932<\/td>$1,369<\/td>$34.23<\/td><\/tr>
Michigan<\/td>$70,036<\/td>$5,836<\/td>$1,346<\/td>$33.67<\/td><\/tr>
Kentucky<\/td>$69,990<\/td>$5,832<\/td>$1,345<\/td>$33.65<\/td><\/tr>
West Virginia<\/td>$67,171<\/td>$5,597<\/td>$1,291<\/td>$32.29<\/td><\/tr>
Arkansas<\/td>$66,532<\/td>$5,544<\/td>$1,279<\/td>$31.99<\/td><\/tr>
Florida<\/td>$64,249<\/td>$5,354<\/td>$1,235<\/td>$30.89<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>
Data according to ZipRecruiter<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Factors that affect a system administrator\u2019s salary<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>

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.<\/p>

Education<\/strong><\/h3>

System administrators usually need a bachelor\u2019s degree, although some employers may accept an associate and others require a master\u2019s. Common degree fields include computer and information technologies. Additionally, computer system administrators should also consider certification for the products they use.<\/p>

Here are the average system administrator salaries based on education level, according to Zippia as of June 2023:<\/p>