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Systems Maintenance Administrator I Salary in the United States

How much does a Systems Maintenance Administrator I make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Systems Maintenance Administrator I in the United States is $73,690 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $35.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $82,096
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $67,290 to $78,090
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $61,463
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Systems Maintenance Administrator I Salaries

A Systems Maintenance 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 Systems Maintenance Administrator Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Systems Maintenance 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:

  • Systems Maintenance 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
Systems Maintenance 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 Systems Maintenance 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 Systems Maintenance Administrator Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $81,590.
  • California: $81,290.
  • Massachusetts: $80,190.

Top Paying Cities for Systems Maintenance 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:

  • San Jose: $92,990
  • San Francisco: $91,890
  • Oakland: $89,990

What Skills Can Increase a Systems Maintenance Administrator I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Troubleshooting (Mentioned in 6.75% 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 2.62% 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.
  • Cisco (Mentioned in 1.75% Job Postings): Cisco Systems, Inc., commonly known as Cisco, is an American-based multinational technology conglomerate corporation headquartered in San Jose, California.
Skills Demand Percentage
Troubleshooting 6.75%
Azure 2.62%
Cisco 1.75%
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 a Systems Maintenance Administrator I's salary.

  • Long Term Care: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Cisco: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • AWS: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Long Term Care $80,322
9%
Cisco $78,111
6%
AWS $78,111
6%
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Systems Maintenance Administrator I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Systems Maintenance Administrator I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $82,352. While startup companies pay approximate $69,661.

Systems Maintenance Administrator I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $69,661
Growth Stage 51~500 $73,674
Established 501~5000 $79,521
Enterprise 5000+ $82,352

Systems Maintenance Administrator I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Systems Maintenance 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, Systems Maintenance Administrator positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Systems Maintenance Administrator I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Systems Maintenance Administrator I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$95,797$46.030%
Biotechnology$89,902$43.022%
Pharmaceuticals$86,954$42.018%
Internet$84,744$41.015%
Software & Networking$84,744$41.015%

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

Understanding how a Systems Maintenance 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 September 01, 2026
$67,290
Average $73,690/year
$78,090
$5,608
Average $6,141/month
$6,508
$1,294
Average $1,417/week
$1,502
$32
Average $35/hour
$38
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $78,090 $6,508 $1,502 $38
Average $73,690 $6,141 $1,417 $35
25th Percentile $67,290 $5,608 $1,294 $32

Systems Maintenance Administrator I Salary Growth & Career Path

Systems Maintenance Administrator I

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Systems Maintenance 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.

Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Linux- Red Hat Administration $93,900 27%
Email Server Administrator $99,300 35%
Operating Systems Administrator II $93,900 27%
Systems Administrator - Intermediate - UNIX $110,900 50%

Most common benefits for Systems Maintenance Administrator I

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

Common company salaries for Systems Maintenance Administrator I

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

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FAQ about Systems Maintenance Administrator I

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Systems Maintenance Administrator I?

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

2. Do administrators get paid more than managers?

Typically, office managers earn a higher base salary than office administrators. For instance, the salary range for a Systems Maintenance Administrator is between $66,590 and $83,290, with a midpoint of $74,090. This suggests that while administrators have a competitive salary, managers generally earn more.

3. What is the salary of a System Administrator in the US?

The salary for a Systems Maintenance Administrator in the US ranges from a minimum of $66,590 to a maximum of $83,290, with a mid-range salary of $74,090 per year. These figures reflect the typical compensation for this role based on current data.

4. What is the highest paying admin job?

The highest paying administrative job is often the Executive Assistant to the CEO, with salaries varying widely. For a Systems Maintenance Administrator, the salary ranges from $66,590 to $83,290, with a mid-point of $74,090. Other high-paying roles include Legal Administrative Assistant and Operations Manager, reflecting the diverse opportunities in the field.

5. What is the best degree for a system administrator?

The best degrees for a Systems Maintenance Administrator include Information Science, Computer Systems Networking, Computer Science, Information Technology, Software Engineering, Systems & Network Administration, and Information Networking and Telecommunications. With a salary range of $66,590 to $83,290, these fields provide valuable knowledge for a successful career.

6. Do administrators make good money?

Administrators can earn a competitive salary. For a Systems Maintenance Administrator, the salary ranges from a minimum of $66,590 to a maximum of $83,290, with a mid-range salary of $74,090. This indicates that administrators can make a good income, depending on their experience and specific role.

7. Do administrators get paid more than managers?

Typically, office managers earn a higher base salary than office administrators. For instance, a Systems Maintenance Administrator has a salary range from $66,590 to $83,290, with a midpoint of $74,090. This suggests that while administrators have a competitive salary, managers generally earn more.

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.)

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