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Systems Maintenance Administrator III Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Systems Maintenance Administrator III in the United States is $111,190 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $53.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $131,441
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $102,190 to $121,790
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $93,996
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Systems Maintenance Administrator III Salaries

A Systems Maintenance 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 Systems Maintenance Administrator Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Systems Maintenance 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
  • Systems Maintenance 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
Systems Maintenance 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 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 Systems Maintenance Administrator IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $123,090.
  • California: $122,590.
  • Massachusetts: $120,990.

Top Paying Cities for Systems Maintenance 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: $140,190
  • San Francisco: $138,690
  • Oakland: $135,790

What Skills Can Increase a Systems Maintenance 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 a Systems Maintenance 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 $114,526
3%
AWS $114,526
3%
Insight $113,414
2%
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Systems Maintenance Administrator III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Systems Maintenance Administrator III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $124,259. While startup companies pay approximate $105,111.

Systems Maintenance Administrator III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $105,111
Growth Stage 51~500 $111,165
Established 501~5000 $119,988
Enterprise 5000+ $124,259

Systems Maintenance Administrator III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Systems Maintenance 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, Systems Maintenance Administrator positions in Biotechnology or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Systems Maintenance Administrator III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Systems Maintenance Administrator III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$122,309$59.010%

How Education impacts a Systems Maintenance Administrator III's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Systems Maintenance 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 a Systems Maintenance Administrator III with a Associate's Degree is between $107,638 and $114,486).

Systems Maintenance Administrator III Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Systems Maintenance 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

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

Understanding how a Systems Maintenance 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
$102,190
Average $111,190/year
$121,790
$8,516
Average $9,266/month
$10,149
$1,965
Average $2,138/week
$2,342
$49
Average $53/hour
$59
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $121,790 $10,149 $2,342 $59
Average $111,190 $9,266 $2,138 $53
25th Percentile $102,190 $8,516 $1,965 $49

Systems Maintenance Administrator III Salary Growth & Career Path

Systems Maintenance Administrator III

Next Role

Advancement

For a Systems Maintenance 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 Systems Maintenance Administrator III

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

Common company salaries for Systems Maintenance Administrator III

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

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FAQ about Systems Maintenance Administrator III

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

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

2. What is L1 L2 L3 administrator?

L1, L2, and L3 refer to levels of support in IT/software companies. L1 support is the first point of contact for customer issues. If unresolved, the ticket escalates to L2, and then to L3, which consists of the most technically skilled personnel. Salaries for Systems Maintenance Administrators range from $102,090 to $126,990, with a midpoint of $114,490.

3. Do administrators make good money?

Administrators can earn competitive salaries, especially in specialized roles like Systems Maintenance Administrator. The salary range for this position is between $102,090 and $126,990, with a mid-salary of $114,490. This indicates that administrators in this field can make good money compared to the average salary of $79,653 for general administrators.

4. Is system administrator stressful?

System Administrators often face high-pressure situations, managing critical infrastructure and responding to unforeseen issues. Stress levels can peak during system outages or security breaches. However, with robust processes, continuous learning, and effective time management, they can mitigate stress. The salary for this role ranges from $102,090 to $126,990, reflecting its importance and demands.

5. What is the salary of L3 system administrator?

The estimated salary for a Systems Maintenance Administrator ranges from $102,090 to $126,990 per year, with a midpoint average of $114,490. This range reflects the varying levels of experience and expertise within the role, providing a comprehensive overview of potential earnings in this position.

6. How much do system administrators make in the US?

The estimated total pay for a Systems Maintenance Administrator in the US ranges from $102,090 to $126,990 per year, with a mid-salary of $114,490. These figures reflect the salary range based on industry data, providing a clear picture of potential earnings in this role.

7. Which IT jobs pay the most?

In the IT sector, high-paying roles include Systems Maintenance Administrator, with salaries ranging from $102,090 to $126,990. These positions demand a blend of technical expertise, problem-solving skills, and experience in system management, making them essential for maintaining organizational IT infrastructure.

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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