What are the main factors that influence an Operating Systems Administrator I's salary?

The primary factors are: 1) Experience Level, 2) Geographic Location, 3) Education/Skills, 4) Company Size & Industry

What industry pays the highest salary for Operating Systems Administrator I?

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Operating Systems Administrator I roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

How does experience change An Operating Systems Administrator 's salary?

An Operating Systems Administrator 's salary grows with experience: an Operating Systems Administrator I (0-2 years)earns $81,560, an Operating Systems Administrator II (2-4 years)earns $103,895, an Operating Systems Administrator III (4-7 years)earns $123,031, an Operating Systems Administrator IV (7+ years)earns $142,951, an Operating Systems Administrator V (7-10 years)earns $168,000,

What are the highest paying states for an Operating Systems Administrator I?

Operating Systems Administrator I salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for Operating Systems Administrator I roles are District of Columbia $81,600, California $81,300, Massachusetts $80,200. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of Operating Systems Administrator roles make?

Salaries for Operating Systems Administrator level roles vary by specialization: Operating Systems Administrator V: $151,800; Operating Systems Administrator IV: $129,200; UNIX Operating Systems Administrator III: $124,700; Operating Systems Administrator III: $111,200; UNIX Operating Systems Administrator II: $110,820.

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Operating Systems Administrator I Salary in District of Columbia

How much does an Operating Systems Administrator I make in District of Columbia?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for an Operating Systems Administrator I in District of Columbia is $81,600 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $39.

However, an Operating Systems Administrator I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

Top Earners (90th percentile): $90,770
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $74,600 to $86,400
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $68,227

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Operating Systems Administrator I Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$86,400	$7,200	$1,662	$42
Average	$81,600	$6,800	$1,569	$39
25th Percentile	$74,600	$6,217	$1,435	$36

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Key Factors That Influence Operating Systems Administrator I Salaries

An Operating Systems Administrator I's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Operating Systems Administrator Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Operating Systems Administrator I's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

Operating Systems Administrator I (0-2 years): $81,560
Operating Systems Administrator II (2-4 years): $103,895
Operating Systems Administrator III (4-7 years): $123,031
Operating Systems Administrator IV (7+ years): $142,951
Operating Systems Administrator V (7-10 years): $168,000

Job Role	Years of Experience	Average Salary
Operating Systems Administrator I	0-2 years	$81,560
Operating Systems Administrator II	2-4 years	$103,895
Operating Systems Administrator III	4-7 years	$123,031
Operating Systems Administrator IV	7+ years	$142,951
Operating Systems Administrator V	7-10 years	$168,000

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What Am I Worth?

How Do Operating Systems Administrator I Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Operating Systems Administrator Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

District of Columbia: $81,600.
California: $81,300.
Massachusetts: $80,200.

District of Columbia $81,600 California $81,300 Massachusetts $80,200 Washington $79,900 New Jersey $79,900 Alaska $79,800 Connecticut $78,800 New York $78,400

Hawaii $77,000 Rhode Island $76,400 Maryland $76,000 Minnesota $75,400 Colorado $75,200 Illinois $75,100 Oregon $74,900 Delaware $74,600

New Hampshire $74,500 Virginia $74,200 Pennsylvania $73,400 Nevada $73,000 North Dakota $72,800 Michigan $72,600 Wisconsin $72,500 Vermont $72,400

Maine $71,900 Texas $71,900 Arizona $71,800 Ohio $71,800 Georgia $71,100 Indiana $70,800 Wyoming $70,700 Utah $70,600

Iowa $70,500 Kansas $70,200 Louisiana $70,100 North Carolina $70,100 Missouri $70,000 Florida $69,700 Montana $69,600 Nebraska $69,400

Kentucky $69,400 South Carolina $69,100 Tennessee $68,900 Idaho $68,800 New Mexico $68,300 Oklahoma $68,200 Alabama $67,700 South Dakota $67,000

Arkansas $66,600 West Virginia $66,400 Mississippi $65,700

Top Paying Cities for Operating Systems Administrator Is

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

Parcel Return Service: $81,200
Washington: $81,200
Naval Anacost Annex: $81,200

Parcel Return Service, DC $81,200 Washington, DC $81,200 Naval Anacost Annex, DC $81,200 Washington Navy Yard, DC $81,200

Operating Systems Administrator I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Operating Systems Administrator I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $91,269. While startup companies pay approximate $77,186.

Operating Systems Administrator I Salary by Company Size

Company Size	Employees	Average Salary
Startup	1~50	$77,186
Growth Stage	51~500	$81,637
Established	501~5000	$88,138
Enterprise	5000+	$91,269

Operating Systems Administrator I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Operating Systems Administrator I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Operating Systems Administrator positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Operating Systems Administrator I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Operating Systems Administrator I

Industry Sector	Average Annual Salary	Average Hourly Rate	Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services	$106,080	$51.0	30%
Biotechnology	$99,552	$48.0	22%
Pharmaceuticals	$96,288	$46.0	18%
Internet	$93,840	$45.0	15%
Software & Networking	$93,840	$45.0	15%

Operating Systems Administrator I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Operating Systems Administrator I's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on July 01, 2026

$74,600

Average $81,600/year

$86,400

$6,217

Average $6,800/month

$7,200

$1,435

Average $1,569/week

$1,662

$36

Average $39/hour

$42

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$86,400	$7,200	$1,662	$42
Average	$81,600	$6,800	$1,569	$39
25th Percentile	$74,600	$6,217	$1,435	$36

Operating Systems Administrator I Salary Growth & Career Path

Operating Systems Administrator I

Linux- Red Hat Administration

Email Server Administrator

Operating Systems Administrator II

Systems Administrator - Intermediate - UNIX

SVP of Operating Systems Administration

UNIX Operating Systems Administrator III

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As an Operating Systems Administrator I, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Operating Systems Administrator I Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role	Estimate Salary	Projected Raise
Linux- Red Hat Administration	$103,900	27%
Email Server Administrator	$109,900	35%
Operating Systems Administrator II	$103,900	27%
Systems Administrator - Intermediate - UNIX	$122,700	50%

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