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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a System Specialist in Virginia is $97,332 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $47.
However, a System Specialist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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System Specialist Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $101,905 | $8,492 | $1,960 | $49 |
| Average | $97,332 | $8,111 | $1,872 | $47 |
| 25th Percentile | $87,988 | $7,332 | $1,692 | $42 |
US Government Jobs - Portsmouth, VA
Thermo Fisher Scientific - Richmond, VA
Virginia Department of Human Resource Management - Lexington, VA
Booz Allen Hamilton - Arlington, VA
A System Specialist'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 System Specialist'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 System Specialist | $76,143 |
| System Sp... Level System Specialist | $96,996 |
| Systems A... Level System Specialist | $114,866 |
| Systems A... Level System Specialist | $133,466 |
| Systems A... Level System Specialist | $156,846 |
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 System Specialists. 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 System Specialist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 41% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, System Specialist positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view System Specialist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmaceuticals | $116,799 | $56.0 | 20% |
| Biotechnology | $111,932 | $54.0 | 15% |
| Insurance | $109,012 | $52.0 | 12% |
| Energy & Utilities | $107,065 | $51.0 | 10% |
| Financial Services | $107,065 | $51.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a System Specialist'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 | $101,905 | $8,492 | $1,960 | $49 |
| Average | $97,332 | $8,111 | $1,872 | $47 |
| 25th Percentile | $87,988 | $7,332 | $1,692 | $42 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current System Specialist job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
CoAspire, LLC
Manassas, VA
CoAspire, LLC | Manassas, VA
Job Description. Job Description. CoAspire is a cutting-edge defense manufacturing leader in Northern Virginia, specializing in the precision assembly of a... more
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General Dynamics
Manassas, VA
General Dynamics | Manassas, VA
Senior Tech Writing Specialist - Tactical Control System. Ready to be a leader with the company that is committed to pushing the limits of truly advanced t... more
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ManTech International
LAUREL, MD
ManTech International | LAUREL, MD
ManTech International seeks a System Administrator to support mission-critical national security systems within our Information Technology & Technical Supp... more
7 Days Ago
ManTech International
TRIANGLE, VA
ManTech International | TRIANGLE, VA
ManTech International seeks a System Administrator to support mission-critical national security systems within our Information Technology & Technical Supp... more
8 Days Ago
SimVentions, Inc
SAINT MARYS, MD
SimVentions, Inc | SAINT MARYS, MD
SimVentions, Inc. seeks a System Administrator to support Defense & Aerospace IT and cybersecurity operations. You will manage Windows/Linux servers, netwo... more
11 Days Ago
SimVentions, Inc
BARSTOW, MD
SimVentions, Inc | BARSTOW, MD
SimVentions, Inc. seeks a System Administrator to support Defense & Aerospace IT and cybersecurity operations. In this role, you will install, configure, a... more
11 Days Ago
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