Systems Administrator Salary in 2026
Systems administrators manage and maintain IT infrastructure including servers, networks, and operating systems. They ensure system uptime, security patches, and user support.
Median Salary
$79,000
$6,583/mo
Entry Level
$54,000
starting pay
Senior Level
$114,000
experienced
Job Growth
+3%
10-yr outlook
Systems Administrator Overview
Systems administrators manage and maintain IT infrastructure including servers, networks, and operating systems. They ensure system uptime, security patches, and user support.
Education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
2-4 years
Industry
Technology
Total Jobs (US)
380K
5-Year Growth
+11%
Category
Technology
Hourly Rate
$37.98/hr
Monthly Pay
$6,583
Systems Administrator Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Systems Administrator salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Systems Administrator Salary
$94,000
$7,833/month · $3,615/biweekly · $45.19/hr
Systems Administrator Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Systems Administrator field.
Entry-level Systems Administrators earn around $54,000, while the top 10% earn $130,000 or more.
Top Paying States for Systems Administrators
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $93,000 | +$14,000 |
| New York | $91,000 | +$12,000 |
| Virginia | $84,000 | +$5,000 |
| Texas | $77,000 | $-2,000 |
| Florida | $77,000 | $-2,000 |
Top Paying Cities for Systems Administrators
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | $99,000 | +$20,000 |
| New York | $93,000 | +$14,000 |
| Washington DC | $91,000 | +$12,000 |
| Dallas | $79,000 | $0 |
| Atlanta | $77,000 | $-2,000 |
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Systems Administrator Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Systems Administrator from entry level to expert.
$54,000
0-2 years
$84,000
3-7 years
$114,000
8-14 years
$146,000
15+ years
Related Technology Jobs
Systems Administrator Salary FAQ
Methodology & Data Sources — Systems Administrator Salary
How we calculate Systems Administrator salary data: Our figures combine BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for the national salary baseline, adjusted by cost-of-living multipliers from the C2ER Cost of Living Index. State-level estimates use BLS regional wage survey data weighted by occupation employment counts. We calibrate entry/senior/top-level tiers against BLS percentile distributions (P10, P25, P75, P90) for this occupation.
- National median salary: $79,000 — sourced from BLS OEWS for SOC code corresponding to Systems Administrator in the Technology sector.
- Entry-level ($54,000) and senior-level ($114,000) figures reflect BLS P25 and P75 percentile wage estimates adjusted for experience.
- Job outlook: +3% projected growth through 2034, from BLS Employment Projections program. Approximately 380K total positions nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 11% over the past 5 years, derived from BLS Employment Cost Index for Technology sector wages.
- Education requirement: Bachelor's Degree, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State-level estimates use BLS regional CPI-U data and OEWS metropolitan area wage surveys, normalized to the national median of $79,000.
Authoritative US data sources for Systems Administrator compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — Systems Administrator job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections — 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index — quarterly compensation trend data for Technology
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary — 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: Systems Administrator salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (Linux, Windows Server, Active Directory), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk · Last updated May 17, 2026 · BLS data current as of latest OEWS annual release
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