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Systems Administrator I Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Systems Administrator I in the United States is $73,662 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $35.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $81,971
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $67,286 to $78,011
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $61,481
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Systems Administrator I Salaries

A Systems 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 Administrator I Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Systems 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 Administrator I (0-2 years): $73,662
  • Systems Administrator II (2-4 years): $93,835
  • Systems Administrator III (4-7 years): $111,123
  • Systems Administrator IV (7+ years): $129,117
  • Systems Administrator V (7-10 years): $151,735
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Systems Administrator I0-2 years$73,662
Systems Administrator II2-4 years$93,835
Systems Administrator III4-7 years$111,123
Systems Administrator IV7+ years$129,117
Systems Administrator V7-10 years$151,735
View as Graph

How Do Systems Administrator Is 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 Administrator Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $81,559.
  • California: $81,249.
  • Massachusetts: $80,166.

Top Paying Cities for Systems Administrator I

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: $92,910
  • San Francisco: $91,893
  • Oakland: $89,956

What Skills Can Increase a Systems 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 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 $80,292
9%
Cisco $78,082
6%
AWS $78,082
6%
Get Latest Data

Systems Administrator I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Systems Administrator I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $82,460. While startup companies pay approximate $69,760.

Systems Administrator I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $69,760
Growth Stage 51~500 $73,779
Established 501~5000 $79,630
Enterprise 5000+ $82,460

Systems Administrator I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

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

The top paying industries for a Systems Administrator I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$95,761$46.030%
Biotechnology$89,868$43.022%
Pharmaceuticals$86,921$42.018%
Internet$84,711$41.015%
Software & Networking$84,711$41.015%

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

Understanding how a Systems 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 August 01, 2026
$67,286
Average $73,662/year
$78,011
$5,607
Average $6,139/month
$6,501
$1,294
Average $1,417/week
$1,500
$32
Average $35/hour
$38
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $78,011 $6,501 $1,500 $38
Average $73,662 $6,139 $1,417 $35
25th Percentile $67,286 $5,607 $1,294 $32

Systems Administrator I Salary Growth & Career Path

Systems Administrator I

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Systems 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 Administrator $93,835 27%
Mail Server Administrator $99,255 35%
Systems Administrator II $93,835 27%
UNIX Systems Administrator II $110,829 50%

Most common benefits for Systems Administrator I

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

Common company salaries for Systems Administrator I

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

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FAQ about Systems Administrator I

1. Where can a Systems Administrator I earn the most?

A Systems Administrator I'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 Systems Administrator I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Systems Administrator I is $92,910.

2. What is the highest pay for Systems Administrator I?

The highest pay for Systems Administrator I is $81,971.

3. What is the lowest pay for Systems Administrator I?

The lowest pay for Systems Administrator I is $61,481.

4. What are the responsibilities of Systems Administrator I?

Maintains and supports the integrity of the operating system environment and various computer systems. Performs systems maintenance tasks, such as system back-up, recovery, and file maintenance to promote uptime and efficient performance. Acquires, installs, and tests system software upgrades and computer components. Configures software and resolves technical problems. Maintains documentation of IT infrastructure and troubleshooting procedures. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager. Work is closely managed. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience.

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

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