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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 April 01, 2026, the average salary for a Systems Administrator I in the United States is $73,666 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): $81,957
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $67,323 to $78,006
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $61,548
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View as table View as graph 25% $67,323 10% $61,548 90% $81,957 75% $78,006 $73,666 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Systems Administrator I Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $78,006 $6,501 $1,500 $38
Average $73,666 $6,139 $1,417 $35
25th Percentile $67,323 $5,610 $1,295 $32
Check out Systems Administrator I Job Openings in the United States
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Pivotal Solutions - Cleveland, OH

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Phenom People - Columbus, OH

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The Davey Tree Expert Company - Kent, OH

Systems Administrator

Versar, Inc. - Columbus, OH

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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 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): $73,666
  • Systems Administrator II (2-4 years): $93,838
  • Systems Administrator III (4-7 years): $111,108
  • Systems Administrator IV (7+ years): $129,089
  • Systems Administrator V (7-10 years): $151,731
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Systems Administrator I0-2 years$73,666
Systems Administrator II2-4 years$93,838
Systems Administrator III4-7 years$111,108
Systems Administrator IV7+ years$129,089
Systems Administrator V7-10 years$151,731
$73,666 Systems A...
$93,838 Systems A...
$111,108 Systems A...
$129,089 Systems A...
$151,731 Systems A...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Systems 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: $92,915
  • San Francisco: $92,001
  • Oakland: $89,961

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.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Troubleshooting 6.75%
Azure 2.62%
Cisco 1.75%
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
 $80,296
9%
Cisco
 $78,086
6%
AWS
 $78,086
6%
VMware
 $76,613
4%
Azure
 $76,613
4%
Coordination
 $76,613
4%
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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.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on April 01, 2026
$67,323
Average $73,666/year
$78,006
$5,610
Average $6,139/month
$6,501
$1,295
Average $1,417/week
$1,500
$32
Average $35/hour
$38
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $78,006 $6,501 $1,500 $38
Average $73,666 $6,139 $1,417 $35
25th Percentile $67,323 $5,610 $1,295 $32

Systems Administrator I Salary Growth & Career Path

Systems Administrator I
Linux Administrator
Mail Server Administrator
Systems Administrator II
UNIX Systems Administrator II
SVP of Systems Administration
UNIX Systems Administrator III

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.

Systems Administrator I Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Linux Administrator $93,838 27%
Mail Server Administrator $99,237 35%
Systems Administrator II $93,838 27%
UNIX Systems Administrator II $110,764 50%

Salaries of jobs related to Systems Administrator I

Salary Trends for Systems Administrator I

Salaries for a Systems Administrator I can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $64,354 in 2023 to around $63,342 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Systems Administrator I salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Systems Administrator I Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$64,354
2024
$63,587
2025
$63,342
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $64,354
2024 $63,587
2025 $63,342
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Systems Administrator I

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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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 $92,915.

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

The highest pay for Systems Administrator I is $81,957.

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

The lowest pay for Systems Administrator I is $61,548.

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.

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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