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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Systems Administrator in Virginia is $111,952 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 | $122,689 | $10,224 | $2,359 | $59 |
| Average | $111,952 | $9,329 | $2,153 | $54 |
| 25th Percentile | $102,981 | $8,582 | $1,980 | $50 |
ARES Corporation - 23337, VA
INflow Federal - Springfield, VA
Red Canyon Engineering & Software - Wallops Island, VA
Watershed Security - Norfolk, VA
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 | $73,688 |
| Systems A... Level Systems Administrator | $93,868 |
| Systems A... Level Systems Administrator | $111,162 |
| Systems A... Level Systems Administrator | $129,163 |
| Systems A... Level Systems Administrator | $151,789 |
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 | $123,147 | $59.0 | 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 | $122,689 | $10,224 | $2,359 | $59 |
| Average | $111,952 | $9,329 | $2,153 | $54 |
| 25th Percentile | $102,981 | $8,582 | $1,980 | $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.
GRVTY
Springfield, VA
GRVTY | Springfield, VA
Job Description. Job Description. Requires an active TS/SCI Security Clearance with the ability to obtain a CI Poly. What Impact You'll Have. We are seekin... more
7 Days Ago
ManTech International
Chantilly, VA
ManTech International | Chantilly, VA
ManTech is looking for a Linux Systems Administrator who will be responsible for maintaining and administering our servers and related computing environmen... more
7 Days Ago
ManTech International
Trade, VA
ManTech International | Trade, VA
ManTech is looking for a Linux Systems Administrator who will be responsible for maintaining and administering our servers and related computing environmen... more
7 Days Ago
NS2 Mission
Chantilly, VA
NS2 Mission | Chantilly, VA
Job Description. Job Description. At NS2 Mission, reliable infrastructure is the foundation of mission success. We're seeking a. Systems Administrator. to ... more
9 Days Ago
Point Solutions Group
Springfield, VA
Point Solutions Group | Springfield, VA
Job Description. Job Description. PSG is seeking an individual with IT Systems Engineering & Administrative experience with Windows and Linux environments.... more
9 Days Ago
J5 Consulting
Chantilly, VA
J5 Consulting | Chantilly, VA
Job Description. Job Description. J5 Consulting is a Maryland based company established in 2006 to provide computing and consulting services for government... more
9 Days Ago
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