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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Systems Administrator in Illinois is $113,320 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $54.
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 | $124,187 | $10,349 | $2,388 | $60 |
| Average | $113,320 | $9,443 | $2,179 | $54 |
| 25th Percentile | $104,239 | $8,687 | $2,005 | $50 |
MetroSys - Lisle, IL
Hoerbiger - Park, IL
Firstup - Chicago, IL
Datavault AI Inc. - Lisle, IL
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 | $74,588 |
| Systems A... Level Systems Administrator | $95,015 |
| Systems A... Level Systems Administrator | $112,520 |
| Systems A... Level Systems Administrator | $130,740 |
| Systems A... Level Systems Administrator | $153,643 |
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 | $124,652 | $60.0 | 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 | $124,187 | $10,349 | $2,388 | $60 |
| Average | $113,320 | $9,443 | $2,179 | $54 |
| 25th Percentile | $104,239 | $8,687 | $2,005 | $50 |
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.
USG Corporation
Chicago, IL
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Job Description. Job Description. Senior Systems Administrator II. Employment Type: Full Time, Senior-level. Department: Legal/IT. CGS is seeking a Senior ... more
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Chicago, IL
Contact Government Services, LLC | Chicago, IL
Job Description. Job Description. Relativity Senior Systems Administrator. Employment Type: Full Time. Department: Legal/IT. We are seeking a Relativity Sr... more
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Illinois Secretary of State
Springfield, IL
Illinois Secretary of State | Springfield, IL
Job Description. Job Description. Office of the Illinois Secretary of State. Alexi Giannoulias. Job Title. Data Systems Administrator – Network Services more
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Springfield, IL
Illinois Secretary of State | Springfield, IL
Job Description. Job Description. Office of the Illinois Secretary of State. Alexi Giannoulias. Job Title. Information Systems Advisor I – IBM zVM System more
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Illinois Secretary of State
Springfield, IL
Illinois Secretary of State | Springfield, IL
Job Description. Job Description. Office of the Illinois Secretary of State. Alexi Giannoulias. Job Title. Data Systems Administrator – IT Device Operati more
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