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Operating Systems Administrator III Salary in the United States

How much does an Operating Systems Administrator III make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Operating Systems Administrator III in the United States is $111,200 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $53.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $131,451
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $102,200 to $121,800
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $94,006
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Operating Systems Administrator III Salaries

An Operating Systems Administrator III'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, education 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 III'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): $73,661
  • Operating Systems Administrator II (2-4 years): $93,834
  • Operating Systems Administrator III (4-7 years): $111,127
  • Operating Systems Administrator IV (7+ years): $129,124
  • Operating Systems Administrator V (7-10 years): $151,736
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Operating Systems Administrator I0-2 years$73,661
Operating Systems Administrator II2-4 years$93,834
Operating Systems Administrator III4-7 years$111,127
Operating Systems Administrator IV7+ years$129,124
Operating Systems Administrator V7-10 years$151,736
View as Graph

How Do Operating Systems Administrator III 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 IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $123,100.
  • California: $122,600.
  • Massachusetts: $121,000.

Top Paying Cities for Operating Systems Administrator IIIs

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:

  • San Jose: $140,200
  • San Francisco: $138,700
  • Oakland: $135,800

What Skills Can Increase an Operating Systems Administrator III's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Troubleshooting (Mentioned in 8.06% Job Postings): Troubleshooting is a form of problem solving, often applied to repair failed products or processes on a machine or a system. It is a logical, systematic search for the source of a problem in order to solve it, and make the product or process operational again. Troubleshooting is needed to identify the symptoms. Determining the most likely cause is a process of elimination—eliminating potential causes of a problem. Finally, troubleshooting requires confirmation that the solution restores the product or process to its working state. In general, troubleshooting is the identification or diagnosis of "trouble" in the management flow of a system caused by a failure of some kind. The problem is initially described as symptoms of malfunction, and troubleshooting is the process of determining and remedying the causes of these symptoms. A system can be described in terms of its expected, desired or intended behavior (usually, for artificial systems, its purpose). Events or inputs to the system are expected to generate specific results or outputs. (For example, selecting the "print" option from various computer applications is intended to result in a hardcopy emerging from some specific device). Any unexpected or undesirable behavior is a symptom. Troubleshooting is the process of isolating the specific cause or causes of the symptom. Frequently the symptom is a failure of the product or process to produce any results. (Nothing was printed, for example). Corrective action can then be taken to prevent further failures of a similar kind.
  • Azure (Mentioned in 3.46% Job Postings): Microsoft Azure, often referred to as Azure, is a cloud computing service operated by Microsoft for application management via Microsoft-managed data centers.
  • Help Desk (Mentioned in 2.18% Job Postings): The activities involved in handling and resolving customer grievances and issues faster and efficient by a ticketing system.
Skills Demand Percentage
Troubleshooting 8.06%
Azure 3.46%
Help Desk 2.18%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on an Operating Systems Administrator III's salary.

  • Innovation: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
  • AWS: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
  • Insight: Can increase your salary by up to 2%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Innovation $114,536
3%
AWS $114,536
3%
Insight $113,424
2%
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Operating Systems Administrator III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Operating Systems Administrator III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $124,271. While startup companies pay approximate $105,120.

Operating Systems Administrator III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $105,120
Growth Stage 51~500 $111,175
Established 501~5000 $119,999
Enterprise 5000+ $124,271

Operating Systems Administrator III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Operating Systems Administrator III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 20% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 10% above the average. In contrast, Operating Systems Administrator positions in Biotechnology or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Operating Systems Administrator III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for an Operating Systems Administrator III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$122,320$59.010%

How Education impacts an Operating Systems Administrator III's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Operating Systems Administrator IIIs enter the field with a Associate's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Operating Systems Administrator III with a Associate's Degree is between $107,648 and $114,496).

Operating Systems Administrator III Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Operating Systems Administrator III
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.5%
High School 22.5%
Associates 15.5%
Bachelors 48.0%
Masters 12.1%
Doctorate 0.3%
View as Graph

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

Understanding how an Operating Systems Administrator III'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 September 01, 2026
$102,200
Average $111,200/year
$121,800
$8,517
Average $9,267/month
$10,150
$1,965
Average $2,138/week
$2,342
$49
Average $53/hour
$59
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $121,800 $10,150 $2,342 $59
Average $111,200 $9,267 $2,138 $53
25th Percentile $102,200 $8,517 $1,965 $49

Operating Systems Administrator III Salary Growth & Career Path

Operating Systems Administrator III

Next Role

Advancement

For an Operating Systems Administrator III, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Operating Systems Administrator IV role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $129,200 - a projected growth of 16% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Operating Systems Administrator III

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Operating Systems Administrator III

Here are companies hiring for Operating Systems Administrator III and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Operating Systems Administrator III

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Operating Systems Administrator III?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Operating Systems Administrator III roles, with salaries approximately 10% above the market median.

2. What is a system administrator III?

A System Administrator III, under the guidance of the Network Operations Manager, installs and configures security devices, servers, and applications. They also operate, monitor performance, and diagnose issues in Local Area Networks (LAN) servers and associated workstations. The salary for this role ranges from $102,100 to $127,000, with a midpoint of $114,500.

3. Do administrators make good money?

Administrators can earn a competitive salary, particularly in specialized roles like Operating Systems Administrator. The salary range for this position is between $102,100 and $127,000, with a median salary of $114,500. This indicates that administrators in this field can make good money compared to many other professions.

4. How much does a Tier 3 system administrator make?

As of now, the salary for an Operating Systems Administrator ranges from $102,100 to $127,000 annually, with a mid-point salary of $114,500. This translates to approximately $49.04 to $61.06 per hour, or $8,425 to $10,583 per month.

5. Which IT jobs pay the most?

With salaries ranging from $102,100 to $127,000, Operating Systems Administrators are among the higher-paying IT roles. These positions demand a solid blend of technical expertise and experience in managing complex systems, making them essential in today's tech-driven landscape.

6. What is the highest salary of an admin?

The highest salary for an Operating Systems Administrator is ₹1,27,000 per year. The salary range typically starts at ₹1,02,100, with a mid-level salary around ₹1,14,500. This data highlights the competitive compensation for this role, reflecting the demand for skilled administrators in the industry.

7. What is the highest paying admin job?

The highest paying admin job is often the Operating Systems Administrator, with a salary range from $102,100 to $127,000, and a mid-salary of $114,500. Other high-paying administrative roles include Executive Assistant to CEO, Legal Administrative Assistant, and Operations Manager, but the Operating Systems Administrator stands out for its competitive compensation.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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