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UNIX Systems Administrator III Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a UNIX Systems Administrator III in the United States is $124,637 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $60.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $147,299
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $114,567 to $136,499
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $105,399
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence UNIX Systems Administrator III Salaries

A UNIX 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 UNIX Systems Administrator III Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a UNIX 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:

  • UNIX Systems Administrator I (0-2 years): $99,588
  • UNIX Systems Administrator II (2-4 years): $110,845
  • UNIX Systems Administrator III (4-7 years): $124,637
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
UNIX Systems Administrator I0-2 years$99,588
UNIX Systems Administrator II2-4 years$110,845
UNIX Systems Administrator III4-7 years$124,637
View as Graph

How Do UNIX 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 UNIX Systems Administrator IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $137,998.
  • California: $137,475.
  • Massachusetts: $135,642.

Top Paying Cities for UNIX 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: $157,205
  • San Francisco: $155,483
  • Oakland: $152,207

What Skills Can Increase a UNIX 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 3.47% 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 3.47%
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 UNIX Systems Administrator III's salary.

  • Attention to Detail: Can increase your salary by up to 20%.
  • Computer Systems: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Commitment: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Attention to Detail $149,564
20%
Computer Systems $130,869
5%
Commitment $130,869
5%
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UNIX Systems Administrator III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

UNIX 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 $139,287. While startup companies pay approximate $117,823.

UNIX Systems Administrator III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $117,823
Growth Stage 51~500 $124,609
Established 501~5000 $134,499
Enterprise 5000+ $139,287

UNIX Systems Administrator III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For UNIX Systems Administrator III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 38% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, UNIX Systems Administrator positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view UNIX Systems Administrator III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a UNIX Systems Administrator III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$149,564$72.020%
Financial Services$149,564$72.020%
Energy & Utilities$137,101$66.010%
Pharmaceuticals$137,101$66.010%
Software & Networking$137,101$66.010%

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

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many UNIX Systems Administrator III enter the field with a Bachelor's 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 UNIX Systems Administrator III with a Bachelor's Degree is between $125,481 and $132,589.

UNIX Systems Administrator III Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for UNIX Systems Administrator III
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.3%
High School 26.5%
Associates 20.8%
Bachelors 42.9%
Masters 8.4%
Doctorate 0.0%
View as Graph

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

Understanding how a UNIX 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
$114,567
Average $124,637/year
$136,499
$9,547
Average $10,386/month
$11,375
$2,203
Average $2,397/week
$2,625
$55
Average $60/hour
$66
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $136,499 $11,375 $2,625 $66
Average $124,637 $10,386 $2,397 $60
25th Percentile $114,567 $9,547 $2,203 $55

UNIX Systems Administrator III Salary Growth & Career Path

UNIX Systems Administrator III

Next Role

Advancement

For a UNIX Systems Administrator III, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Systems Administrator IV role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $129,124 - a projected growth of 4% over your current level.

Most common benefits for UNIX Systems Administrator III

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

Common company salaries for UNIX Systems Administrator III

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

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FAQ about UNIX Systems Administrator III

1. Where can a UNIX Systems Administrator III earn the most?

A UNIX Systems Administrator III's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a UNIX Systems Administrator III earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a UNIX Systems Administrator III is $157,205.

2. What is the highest pay for UNIX Systems Administrator III?

The highest pay for UNIX Systems Administrator III is $147,299.

3. What is the lowest pay for UNIX Systems Administrator III?

The lowest pay for UNIX Systems Administrator III is $105,399.

4. What are the responsibilities of UNIX Systems Administrator III?

Responsible for the installation, configuration and maintenance of the organization's UNIX operating systems and all related systems or software. Analyzes and resolves problems associated with server hardware/software and applications software and ensures scalability and appropriate integration with other systems. Detects, diagnoses, and reports UNIX related problems on both UNIX server and UNIX desktop systems. Responsible for backup or recovery procedures. May require a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager. Work is generally independent and collaborative in nature. Contributes to moderately complex aspects of a project. Typically requires 4-7 years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for UNIX Systems Administrator III?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for UNIX Systems Administrator III roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

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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