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Systems Administrator - Intermediate - UNIX Salary in the United States

How much does a Systems Administrator - Intermediate - UNIX make in the United States?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Systems Administrator - Intermediate - UNIX in the United States is $110,900 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $53.

However, a Systems Administrator - Intermediate - UNIX's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $120,643
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $99,500 to $116,000
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $89,121
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View as table View as graph 25% $99,500 10% $89,121 90% $120,643 75% $116,000 $110,900 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Systems Administrator - Intermediate - UNIX Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $116,000 $9,667 $2,231 $56
Average $110,900 $9,242 $2,133 $53
25th Percentile $99,500 $8,292 $1,913 $48
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Key Factors That Influence Systems Administrator - Intermediate - UNIX Salaries

A Systems Administrator - Intermediate - UNIX'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 Systems Administrator - Intermediate - UNIX Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Systems Administrator - Intermediate - UNIX'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:

  • UNIX Operating Systems Administrator I (0-2 years): $99,538
  • Systems Administrator - Intermediate - UNIX (2-4 years): $110,813
  • UNIX Operating Systems Administrator III (4-7 years): $124,603
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
UNIX Operating Systems Administrator I0-2 years$99,538
Systems Administrator - Intermediate - UNIX2-4 years$110,813
UNIX Operating Systems Administrator III4-7 years$124,603
$99,538 UNIX Oper...
$110,813 Systems A...
$124,603 UNIX Oper...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Systems Administrator - Intermediate - UNIXes

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: $139,800
  • San Francisco: $138,300
  • Oakland: $135,400

What Skills Can Increase a Systems Administrator - Intermediate - UNIX's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Troubleshooting (Mentioned in 7.94% 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 3.39% 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 2.14% Job Postings): The activities involved in handling and resolving customer grievances and issues faster and efficient by a ticketing system.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Troubleshooting 7.94%
Azure 3.39%
Help Desk 2.14%
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 a Systems Administrator - Intermediate - UNIX's salary.
  • Integrity: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Commitment: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Virtualization: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Integrity
$116,445
5%
Commitment
$116,445
5%
Virtualization
$115,336
4%
Leadership
$115,336
4%
Innovation
$115,336
4%
Project Management
$115,336
4%
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Systems Administrator - Intermediate - UNIX Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Systems Administrator - Intermediate - UNIX salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $124,041. While startup companies pay approximate $104,901.

Systems Administrator - Intermediate - UNIX Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$104,901
Growth Stage51~500$110,950
Established501~5000$119,785
Enterprise5000+$124,041

Systems Administrator - Intermediate - UNIX Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Systems Administrator - Intermediate - UNIX 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 Internet and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Systems Administrator - Intermediate - UNIX positions in MFG Nondurable or Media typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Systems Administrator - Intermediate - UNIX as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Systems Administrator - Intermediate - UNIX

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Internet$144,170$69.030%
Energy & Utilities$138,625$67.025%
Chemicals$133,080$64.020%
Telecom$133,080$64.020%
Financial Services$127,535$61.015%

How Education impacts a Systems Administrator - Intermediate - UNIX's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Systems Administrator - Intermediate - UNIXes 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 a Systems Administrator - Intermediate - UNIX with a Associate's Degree is between $104,710 and $112,190).

Systems Administrator - Intermediate - UNIX Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Systems Administrator - Intermediate - UNIX
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.4%
High School 16.6%
Associates 13.2%
Bachelors 53.4%
Masters 14.8%
Doctorate 0.6%
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Systems Administrator - Intermediate - UNIX Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Systems Administrator - Intermediate - UNIX'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

Systems Administrator - Intermediate - UNIX Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Systems Administrator - Intermediate - UNIX, 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.

Systems Administrator - Intermediate - UNIX Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Operating Systems Administrator III $111,200 0%
UNIX Operating Systems Administrator III $124,700 12%

Salary Trends for Systems Administrator - Intermediate - UNIX

Salaries for a Systems Administrator - Intermediate - UNIX can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $81,516 in 2023 to around $80,832 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Systems Administrator - Intermediate - UNIX salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Systems Administrator - Intermediate - UNIX Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$81,516
2024
$81,310
2025
$80,832
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $81,516
2024 $81,310
2025 $80,832
2026
View More
2027
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Most common benefits for Systems Administrator - Intermediate - UNIX

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Systems Administrator - Intermediate - UNIX

Here are companies hiring for Systems Administrator - Intermediate - UNIX and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Systems Administrator - Intermediate - UNIX

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Systems Administrator - Intermediate - UNIX?

The Internet industry offers the highest average compensation for Systems Administrator - Intermediate - UNIX roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

2. What is the highest paid system administrator?

The highest paid Systems Administrator is typically at the Systems Administrator Manager level, earning between $105K and $177K per year. For an Intermediate UNIX Systems Administrator, the salary ranges from $98,100 to $124,700, with a midpoint of $111,600.

3. Which IT jobs pay the most?

In the IT sector, roles like Systems Administrator - Intermediate - UNIX can offer competitive salaries, with a minimum of $98,100, a mid-range of $111,600, and a maximum of $124,700. High-paying positions often require a blend of experience, advanced technical skills, and leadership capabilities, making them highly sought after in the industry.

4. Do you need a degree to be a Linux system administrator?

A college degree can be advantageous for a Linux System Administrator, providing a solid foundation in computer science and networking. However, it's not mandatory. The field values technical skills, certifications like CompTIA Linux+ or RHCE, and hands-on experience. Salaries for intermediate positions range from $98,100 to $124,700, with a midpoint of $111,600.

5. What does a UNIX system administrator do?

A UNIX System Administrator installs, configures, and maintains UNIX operating systems in a business environment. They analyze and resolve issues related to servers, hardware, applications, and software. The salary for this role typically ranges from $98,100 to $124,700, with a midpoint of $111,600, reflecting the expertise and responsibilities involved.

6. What is the salary of Linux Administrator for 2 years experience?

The salary for a Systems Administrator - Intermediate - UNIX with 2 years of experience typically ranges from ₹98,100 to ₹124,700. The average salary is around ₹111,600, reflecting the compensation for professionals in this role based on current market data.

7. What is the salary of a UNIX technician?

The salary for a Systems Administrator - Intermediate - UNIX ranges from a minimum of £98,100 to a maximum of £124,700, with an average (mid) salary of £111,600. This reflects the competitive compensation for professionals in this field.

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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