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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Systems Administrator in California is $122,625 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $59.
However, a Systems Administrator's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Systems Administrator Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $134,385 | $11,199 | $2,584 | $65 |
| Average | $122,625 | $10,219 | $2,358 | $59 |
| 25th Percentile | $112,798 | $9,400 | $2,169 | $54 |
Dynamic Solutions Technology LLC - Victorville, CA
Colusa Indian Community Council - Colusa, CA
MGE Underground, Inc. - San Jose, CA
MKS2 Technologies - Los Angeles, CA
A Systems Administrator'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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Systems Administrator'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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Systems A... Level Systems Administrator | $80,713 |
| Systems A... Level Systems Administrator | $102,817 |
| Systems A... Level Systems Administrator | $121,760 |
| Systems A... Level Systems Administrator | $141,476 |
| Systems A... Level Systems Administrator | $166,259 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Administrators. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
For Systems Administrator 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 Administrator positions in Biotechnology or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Systems Administrator as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace & Defense | $134,887 | $65.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Systems Administrator'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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $134,385 | $11,199 | $2,584 | $65 |
| Average | $122,625 | $10,219 | $2,358 | $59 |
| 25th Percentile | $112,798 | $9,400 | $2,169 | $54 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Systems Administrator job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Project Open Hand
San Francisco, CA
Project Open Hand | San Francisco, CA
Systems AdministratorThe Systems Administrator is responsible for maintaining information systems hardware and software, including telecommunications, serv... more
8 Days Ago
Marin Community Clinics
Novato, CA
Marin Community Clinics | Novato, CA
Systems AdministratorMarin Community Clinics, founded in 1972, is today, a multi-clinic network with a wide array of integrated primary care, dental, behav... more
8 Days Ago
South Coast Children's Society
Colton, CA
South Coast Children's Society | Colton, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Description. Position Summary. The IT System Administrator is responsible for implementing new software solutions that en... more
8 Days Ago
PingWind
Dougherty, CA
PingWind | Dougherty, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Location. Camp Parks, CA. Clearance Required. Active DoD TS/SCI with CI Poly (or eligibility to obtain within 60 days). S... more
9 Days Ago
Lahlouh
San Leandro, CA
Lahlouh | San Leandro, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Lahlouh’s business model is built on solving end to end supply chain problems not simply processing transactional print o... more
9 Days Ago
ATD Technology LLC
Irvine, CA
ATD Technology LLC | Irvine, CA
Description:Position Type:REMOTE Length:13-weeks with possibility to extend Requirements:JR to SR Level, 2 years of ICIMS System Admin Experience Shift:Mon... more
9 Days Ago
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