What are the main factors that influence a System Administrator I's salary?

The primary factors are: 1) Experience Level, 2) Geographic Location, 3) Education/Skills, 4) Company Size & Industry

What industry pays the highest salary for System Administrator I?

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for System Administrator I roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

How does experience change A System Administrator 's salary?

A System Administrator 's salary grows with experience: a System Administrator I (0-2 years)earns $81,995, a Systems Administrator II (2-4 years)earns $104,451, a Systems Administrator III (4-7 years)earns $123,700, a Systems Administrator IV (7+ years)earns $143,733, a Systems Administrator V (7-10 years)earns $168,904,

What are the highest paying states for a System Administrator I?

System Administrator I salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for System Administrator I roles are District of Columbia $84,096, California $83,777, Massachusetts $82,661. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of System Administrator roles make?

Salaries for System Administrator level roles vary by specialization: Senior System Administrator: $108,895; Engineering System Administrator: $95,092; Linux System Administrator: $93,379; Intermediate System Administrator: $92,841; Web Administrator I: $84,365.

System Administrator I Salary in Washington

How much does a System Administrator I make in Washington?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a System Administrator I in Washington is $82,357 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $40.

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

Top Earners (90th percentile): $91,750
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $75,541 to $87,273
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $69,337

10% $69,337

50% (Median) $82,357

90% $91,750

System Administrator I Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$87,273	$7,273	$1,678	$42
Average	$82,357	$6,863	$1,584	$40
25th Percentile	$75,541	$6,295	$1,453	$36

Salary Factors Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

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Key Factors That Influence System Administrator I Salaries

A System 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 System Administrator Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a System 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:

Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $81,995
Early Career (1-2 years): $104,451
Mid-Level (2-4 years): $123,700
Senior-Level (5-8 years): $143,733
Expert (over 8 years): $168,904

Levels	Salary
System Ad... Level System Administrator I	$81,995
Systems A... Level System Administrator I	$104,451
Systems A... Level System Administrator I	$123,700
Systems A... Level System Administrator I	$143,733
Systems A... Level System Administrator I	$168,904

View as Graph

How Do System Administrator I 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 System Administrator Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

District of Columbia: $84,096.
California: $83,777.
Massachusetts: $82,661.

District of Columbia $84,096 California $83,777 Massachusetts $82,661 Washington $82,357 New Jersey $82,326 Alaska $82,220 Connecticut $81,172 New York $80,746

Hawaii $79,387 Rhode Island $78,749 Maryland $78,316 Minnesota $77,724 Colorado $77,496 Illinois $77,420 Oregon $77,131 Delaware $76,918

New Hampshire $76,785 Virginia $76,485 Pennsylvania $75,612 Nevada $75,171 North Dakota $75,027 Michigan $74,799 Wisconsin $74,716 Vermont $74,549

Texas $74,085 Maine $74,055 Arizona $74,009 Ohio $73,956 Georgia $73,257 Indiana $72,908 Wyoming $72,840 Utah $72,733

Iowa $72,688 Kansas $72,323 Louisiana $72,217 North Carolina $72,179 Missouri $72,164 Florida $71,867 Montana $71,708 Nebraska $71,556

Kentucky $71,473 South Carolina $71,169 Tennessee $70,979 Idaho $70,903 New Mexico $70,348 Oklahoma $70,227 Alabama $69,779 South Dakota $69,027

Arkansas $68,617 West Virginia $68,396 Mississippi $67,736

Top Paying Cities for System 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:

Auburn: $82,256
Federal Way: $82,220
Bellevue: $83,910

Auburn, WA $82,256

Federal Way, WA $82,220

Bellevue, WA $83,910

Black Diamond, WA $81,816

Bothell, WA $83,513

Burton, WA $82,371

Carnation, WA $82,278

Duvall, WA $82,550

Edmonds, WA $83,250

Enumclaw, WA $80,620

Fall City, WA $82,646

Hobart, WA $82,329

Issaquah, WA $82,933

Kenmore, WA $83,686

Kent, WA $82,328

Kirkland, WA $83,857

Lynnwood, WA $83,081

Maple Valley, WA $82,256

Medina, WA $83,934

Mercer Island, WA $83,905

Mountlake Terrace, WA $83,305

North Bend, WA $81,456

Pacific, WA $82,209

Preston, WA $82,775

Ravensdale, WA $81,598

Redmond, WA $83,736

Redondo, WA $82,313

Renton, WA $83,216

Rollingbay, WA $82,916

Seahurst, WA $83,369

Snoqualmie, WA $82,074

Snoqualmie Pass, WA $79,650

Vashon, WA $82,430

Woodinville, WA $83,229

Sammamish, WA $83,450

Mill Creek, WA $82,715

Seattle, WA $83,959

Bainbridge Island, WA $83,036

Everett, WA $82,797

Acme, WA $78,502

Anacortes, WA $79,242

Blakely Island, WA $78,699

Arlington, WA $81,636

Baring, WA $80,999

Bellingham, WA $78,400

Blaine, WA $78,236

Bow, WA $78,584

Burlington, WA $79,022

Clearlake, WA $79,467

Clinton, WA $82,557

Concrete, WA $78,621

Conway, WA $80,684

Coupeville, WA $81,083

Custer, WA $78,327

Darrington, WA $78,655

Deer Harbor, WA $78,745

Deming, WA $78,477

Eastsound, WA $78,439

Everson, WA $78,343

Ferndale, WA $78,364

Freeland, WA $82,112

Friday Harbor, WA $78,891

Gold Bar, WA $81,171

Granite Falls, WA $81,526

Greenbank, WA $81,855

Hamilton, WA $79,294

Index, WA $79,955

La Conner, WA $79,641

Lake Stevens, WA $82,785

North Lakewood, WA $82,250

Langley, WA $82,367

Lopez Island, WA $79,063

Lummi Island, WA $78,408

Lyman, WA $79,265

Lynden, WA $78,330

Maple Falls, WA $78,303

Marblemount, WA $78,466

Marysville, WA $82,800

Monroe, WA $82,117

Mount Vernon, WA $79,785

Mukilteo, WA $82,761

Nooksack, WA $78,332

Oak Harbor, WA $80,184

Olga, WA $78,542

Orcas, WA $78,684

Point Roberts, WA $78,071

Camano Island, WA $81,474

Rockport, WA $77,414

Sedro Woolley, WA $79,063

Shaw Island, WA $78,819

Silvana, WA $82,112

Skykomish, WA $79,571

Snohomish, WA $82,505

Stanwood, WA $81,806

Startup, WA $81,627

Sultan, WA $81,689

Sumas, WA $78,305

Waldron, WA $78,438

Anderson Island, WA $81,593

Ashford, WA $80,062

Beaver, WA $77,870

Bremerton, WA $82,425

Silverdale, WA $82,288

Brinnon, WA $81,408

Buckley, WA $81,692

Burley, WA $82,146

Carbonado, WA $80,983

Carlsborg, WA $79,541

Chimacum, WA $81,385

Clallam Bay, WA $77,882

Dupont, WA $81,441

Eatonville, WA $80,770

Gig Harbor, WA $81,874

Elbe, WA $80,306

Forks, WA $78,010

Fox Island, WA $82,092

Glenoma, WA $79,154

Graham, WA $81,668

Port Hadlock, WA $81,362

Hansville, WA $82,116

Indianola, WA $83,224

Joyce, WA $78,180

Kapowsin, WA $81,376

Keyport, WA $82,560

Kingston, WA $82,724

La Grande, WA $80,658

Lakebay, WA $81,675

La Push, WA $78,158

Longbranch, WA $81,331

Sumner, WA $82,048

Manchester, WA $83,090

Milton, WA $82,174

Mineral, WA $79,490

Morton, WA $79,247

Neah Bay, WA $77,971

Nordland, WA $81,548

Olalla, WA $82,241

Orting, WA $81,564

Packwood, WA $77,730

Port Angeles, WA $79,539

Port Gamble, WA $82,389

Port Ludlow, WA $81,925

Port Orchard, WA $82,475

Port Townsend, WA $81,041

Poulsbo, WA $82,590

Puyallup, WA $82,170

Quilcene, WA $81,583

Randle, WA $78,379

Retsil, WA $82,439

Seabeck, WA $82,089

Sekiu, WA $77,884

Sequim, WA $80,144

South Colby, WA $82,724

South Prairie, WA $81,707

Southworth, WA $83,065

Spanaway, WA $81,857

Steilacoom, WA $81,853

Bonney Lake, WA $81,940

Suquamish, WA $82,963

Tracyton, WA $82,460

Vaughn, WA $81,668

Wauna, WA $82,023

Wilkeson, WA $81,426

Longmire, WA $79,205

Paradise Inn, WA $79,142

Tacoma, WA $82,152

Camp Murray, WA $81,930

Mcchord Afb, WA $82,146

Lakewood, WA $82,137

University Place, WA $82,151

Olympia, WA $80,534

Lacey, WA $80,717

Tumwater, WA $80,566

Aberdeen, WA $79,253

Adna, WA $79,537

Allyn, WA $81,577

Amanda Park, WA $78,371

Bay Center, WA $78,445

Belfair, WA $81,742

Bucoda, WA $80,539

Centralia, WA $80,414

Chehalis, WA $80,032

Cinebar, WA $79,912

Copalis Beach, WA $78,537

Copalis Crossing, WA $78,400

Cosmopolis, WA $79,697

Curtis, WA $78,949

Doty, WA $79,761

East Olympia, WA $80,676

Elma, WA $80,464

Ethel, WA $79,309

Galvin, WA $80,367

Grapeview, WA $81,244

Grayland, WA $78,507

Hoodsport, WA $80,990

Hoquiam, WA $79,005

Humptulips, WA $78,677

Lebam, WA $78,881

Lilliwaup, WA $81,391

Littlerock, WA $80,538

Mccleary, WA $80,555

Mckenna, WA $80,906

Malone, WA $80,454

Matlock, WA $80,490

Menlo, WA $78,924

Moclips, WA $78,409

Montesano, WA $80,164

Mossyrock, WA $78,690

Napavine, WA $79,825

Neilton, WA $78,606

Oakville, WA $80,379

Ocean Shores, WA $78,642

Onalaska, WA $79,922

Pacific Beach, WA $78,414

Pe Ell, WA $79,118

Quinault, WA $78,819

Rainier, WA $80,674

Raymond, WA $79,020

Rochester, WA $80,405

Roy, WA $81,319

Ryderwood, WA $78,582

Salkum, WA $79,256

Satsop, WA $80,308

Shelton, WA $80,808

Silver Creek, WA $79,229

South Bend, WA $78,410

Taholah, WA $78,319

Tahuya, WA $81,258

Tenino, WA $80,598

Tokeland, WA $78,583

Toledo, WA $78,920

Union, WA $81,032

Vader, WA $78,862

Westport, WA $78,671

Winlock, WA $79,220

Yelm, WA $80,630

Amboy, WA $78,955

Appleton, WA $77,458

Ariel, WA $78,747

Battle Ground, WA $79,179

Bingen, WA $78,129

Brush Prairie, WA $79,278

Camas, WA $79,271

Carrolls, WA $78,618

Carson, WA $78,729

Castle Rock, WA $78,684

Cathlamet, WA $78,415

Centerville, WA $77,188

Chinook, WA $77,813

Cougar, WA $78,393

Dallesport, WA $77,351

Glenwood, WA $77,405

Goldendale, WA $77,162

Grays River, WA $78,327

Heisson, WA $79,133

Husum, WA $77,949

Ilwaco, WA $77,859

Kalama, WA $78,652

Kelso, WA $78,792

Klickitat, WA $77,352

La Center, WA $79,113

Long Beach, WA $78,011

Longview, WA $78,746

Lyle, WA $77,389

Nahcotta, WA $77,997

Naselle, WA $78,079

North Bonneville, WA $78,640

Ocean Park, WA $78,419

Oysterville, WA $78,172

Ridgefield, WA $79,199

Rosburg, WA $77,983

Seaview, WA $77,972

Silverlake, WA $78,715

Skamokawa, WA $78,195

Stevenson, WA $78,610

Toutle, WA $78,507

Trout Lake, WA $77,778

Underwood, WA $78,085

Vancouver, WA $79,505

Wahkiacus, WA $77,258

Washougal, WA $79,108

White Salmon, WA $77,866

Wishram, WA $77,168

Woodland, WA $78,927

Yacolt, WA $78,999

Wenatchee, WA $77,211

East Wenatchee, WA $77,109

Ardenvoir, WA $77,188

Brewster, WA $76,959

Bridgeport, WA $76,867

Carlton, WA $76,983

Cashmere, WA $77,192

Chelan, WA $77,060

Chelan Falls, WA $77,100

Conconully, WA $76,918

Dryden, WA $77,309

Entiat, WA $77,092

Ephrata, WA $76,809

George, WA $77,219

Leavenworth, WA $77,683

Loomis, WA $76,920

Malaga, WA $77,225

Malott, WA $76,944

Mansfield, WA $76,618

Manson, WA $77,079

Marlin, WA $76,463

Mazama, WA $76,999

Methow, WA $76,899

Monitor, WA $77,172

Moses Lake, WA $76,832

Okanogan, WA $76,868

Omak, WA $76,938

Orondo, WA $76,984

Oroville, WA $77,032

Palisades, WA $76,754

Pateros, WA $76,929

Peshastin, WA $77,140

Quincy, WA $77,085

Riverside, WA $76,920

Rock Island, WA $76,946

Soap Lake, WA $76,694

Stehekin, WA $77,019

Stratford, WA $76,501

Tonasket, WA $76,962

Twisp, WA $77,035

Warden, WA $77,123

Waterville, WA $76,771

Wauconda, WA $76,871

Wilson Creek, WA $76,425

Winthrop, WA $77,060

Yakima, WA $76,379

Brownstown, WA $76,379

Buena, WA $76,605

Cle Elum, WA $77,652

Cowiche, WA $76,379

Easton, WA $78,883

Ellensburg, WA $76,458

Naches, WA $77,619

Grandview, WA $78,426

Granger, WA $77,539

Harrah, WA $76,379

Kittitas, WA $76,446

Mabton, WA $77,641

Moxee, WA $76,625

Outlook, WA $77,535

Parker, WA $76,402

Ronald, WA $78,063

Roslyn, WA $77,970

Selah, WA $76,379

South Cle Elum, WA $78,005

Sunnyside, WA $78,757

Thorp, WA $76,715

Tieton, WA $76,379

Toppenish, WA $77,360

Vantage, WA $77,182

Wapato, WA $76,435

White Swan, WA $76,569

Zillah, WA $76,718

Airway Heights, WA $77,442

Chattaroy, WA $77,346

Cheney, WA $77,338

Colbert, WA $77,409

Deer Park, WA $77,329

Edwall, WA $77,239

Elk, WA $77,183

Fairchild Air Force Base, WA $77,432

Fairfield, WA $77,261

Ford, WA $77,275

Four Lakes, WA $77,433

Greenacres, WA $77,384

Lamont, WA $77,086

Latah, WA $77,141

Liberty Lake, WA $77,344

Marshall, WA $77,442

Mead, WA $77,352

Medical Lake, WA $77,395

Mica, WA $77,386

Newman Lake, WA $77,300

Nine Mile Falls, WA $77,401

Otis Orchards, WA $77,375

Reardan, WA $77,333

Rockford, WA $77,320

Spangle, WA $77,352

Sprague, WA $77,101

Tekoa, WA $77,026

Tumtum, WA $77,304

Valleyford, WA $77,411

Veradale, WA $77,428

Waverly, WA $77,234

Wellpinit, WA $77,181

Addy, WA $77,073

Albion, WA $76,975

Almira, WA $76,487

Belmont, WA $76,900

Benge, WA $76,851

Boyds, WA $76,886

Chewelah, WA $77,138

Clayton, WA $77,278

Colfax, WA $76,965

Colton, WA $76,460

Colville, WA $76,978

Coulee City, WA $76,541

Coulee Dam, WA $76,768

Creston, WA $76,775

Curlew, WA $76,923

Cusick, WA $76,659

Danville, WA $76,902

Davenport, WA $77,086

Electric City, WA $76,746

Elmer City, WA $76,947

Endicott, WA $77,007

Evans, WA $76,984

Farmington, WA $76,798

Fruitland, WA $77,058

Garfield, WA $76,864

Gifford, WA $76,997

Grand Coulee, WA $76,699

Harrington, WA $77,008

Hartline, WA $76,432

Hay, WA $76,770

Hunters, WA $77,010

Inchelium, WA $76,826

Ione, WA $76,438

Keller, WA $76,678

Kettle Falls, WA $76,937

Lacrosse, WA $76,851

Lamona, WA $76,751

Laurier, WA $76,881

Lincoln, WA $77,002

Loon Lake, WA $77,212

Malden, WA $77,217

Malo, WA $76,971

Marcus, WA $77,217

Metaline, WA $76,778

Metaline Falls, WA $76,334

Mohler, WA $76,947

Nespelem, WA $76,774

Newport, WA $76,898

Northport, WA $76,988

Oakesdale, WA $77,054

Odessa, WA $76,597

Orient, WA $76,862

Palouse, WA $76,737

Pullman, WA $76,692

Republic, WA $76,888

Rice, WA $76,962

Ritzville, WA $76,915

Rosalia, WA $77,240

Saint John, WA $77,076

Springdale, WA $77,180

Steptoe, WA $77,436

Thornton, WA $77,092

Uniontown, WA $76,387

Usk, WA $76,822

Valley, WA $77,146

Wilbur, WA $76,719

Spokane, WA $77,442

Pasco, WA $79,782

Benton City, WA $79,770

Beverly, WA $77,420

Bickleton, WA $77,212

Burbank, WA $80,064

College Place, WA $78,431

Connell, WA $78,186

Dayton, WA $76,894

Dixie, WA $77,619

Eltopia, WA $79,341

Hooper, WA $76,684

Kahlotus, WA $77,329

Kennewick, WA $80,534

Lind, WA $76,924

Mesa, WA $79,114

Othello, WA $77,807

Paterson, WA $78,850

Plymouth, WA $80,134

Pomeroy, WA $76,887

Prescott, WA $78,070

Mattawa, WA $78,000

Prosser, WA $78,991

Richland, WA $80,063

West Richland, WA $80,064

Roosevelt, WA $76,836

Royal City, WA $77,341

Starbuck, WA $77,110

Touchet, WA $79,254

Waitsburg, WA $77,392

Walla Walla, WA $78,087

Wallula, WA $79,871

Washtucna, WA $76,796

Anatone, WA $76,249

Asotin, WA $76,479

Clarkston, WA $76,656

System Administrator I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

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

The top paying industries for a System Administrator I

Industry Sector	Average Annual Salary	Average Hourly Rate	Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services	$107,064	$51.0	30%
Biotechnology	$100,475	$48.0	22%
Pharmaceuticals	$97,181	$47.0	18%
Internet	$94,710	$46.0	15%
Software & Networking	$94,710	$46.0	15%

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

Understanding how a System 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.

$75,541

Average $82,357/year

$87,273

$6,295

Average $6,863/month

$7,273

$1,453

Average $1,584/week

$1,678

$36

Average $40/hour

$42

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$87,273	$7,273	$1,678	$42
Average	$82,357	$6,863	$1,584	$40
25th Percentile	$75,541	$6,295	$1,453	$36

Find Your Next System Administrator I Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current System Administrator I job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

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System Administrator I Salary in Washington

How much does a System Administrator I make in Washington?

Key Factors That Influence System Administrator I Salaries

How Experience Level Affects System Administrator Salaries?

How Do System Administrator I Salaries Vary from State to State?

Top Paying Cities for System Administrator Is

System Administrator I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

The top paying industries for a System Administrator I

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

Find Your Next System Administrator I Job

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

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System Administrator I Salary in Washington

How much does a System Administrator I make in Washington?

Key Factors That Influence System Administrator I Salaries

How Experience Level Affects System Administrator Salaries?

How Do System Administrator I Salaries Vary from State to State?

Top Paying Cities for System Administrator Is

System Administrator I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

The top paying industries for a System Administrator I

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

Salaries of Jobs related to System Administrator I

Find Your Next System Administrator I Job

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