Highest-Paying Administrator Jobs [2026]

Research Summary. The Zippia data team has analyzed a combination of public government and company data, along with insights from thousands of job postings, to create average salary estimates for various jobs across the U.S. This analysis has identified the highest-paying administrator roles based on their average annual salaries.

Here’s a summary of our findings regarding the top-paying types of administrators:

• Senior Administrator tops the list with an average salary of $103,102 and an average hourly rate of $49.57.

• The second highest-paying position is Lead Administrator, with an average salary of $94,444.

• The overall average salary for administrators is $72,882 annually, equating to an hourly rate of $35.04.

Table Of Contents: Background | Table | Methodology | FAQs

Background

Choosing a career path can be challenging, and while salary shouldn’t be the sole consideration, it plays a crucial role. If you’re aiming for a career in administration, understanding the highest-paying roles can guide your career development effectively.

Below are the top salaries for various administrator roles:

1. Senior Administrator

   Average Salary: $103,102

   A Senior Administrator manages overall administrative functions within an organization. This includes collaborating with upper management to identify process improvements and new business opportunities that enhance revenue and profitability. Senior Administrators oversee task delegation among administrative staff, resolve record-keeping discrepancies, respond to customer inquiries, ensure inventory adequacy, and train new employees. They also maintain and update databases for business information and customer details, while addressing complaints or directing them to appropriate departments.

2. Lead Administrator

   Average Salary: $94,444

   Lead Administrators, typically IT professionals, manage and troubleshoot departmental computer operations. They oversee and authorize access to online data systems and create user accounts for data access. Additionally, they handle office supply management and process executive payroll monthly, while coordinating with technicians for repairs on hardware and network components.

3. SharePoint Administrator

   Average Salary: $81,739

   SharePoint Administrators provide support and management for the SharePoint platform within organizations. Their responsibilities include managing sites and accounts, configuring site settings, deploying custom features, monitoring bandwidth, managing storage, and maintaining backups. They ensure server speed and data security and conduct employee training for new features and processes, addressing queries as needed.

4. Nursing Home Administrator

   Average Salary: $80,880

   A Nursing Home Administrator oversees the management of nursing home facilities and staff supervision. Common duties involve budget management, recruitment and training oversight, performance reviews, and communication with residents and families. They advocate for residents, develop facility policies, and ensure safety training for all staff members.

5. Linux Administrator

   Average Salary: $79,996

   A Linux Administrator monitors Linux operating systems to support business operations and ensure high-quality deliverables. They resolve network issues, maintain system stability, and protect against unauthorized access and malware threats. Regular maintenance, configuration, and diagnostic tests are part of their responsibilities, along with providing technical support for server issues.

Below is a comprehensive table detailing the average pay for the highest-paying administrative roles, followed by our methodology explanation.

Highest-Paying Types Of Administrators

Methodology

The Zippia team utilizes publicly available data from government sources such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Foreign Labor Certification Data Center (FLC), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to develop its salary estimates.

Moreover, our data science team reviews job postings and company resources to gather additional up-to-date salary information for administrators.

Upon data collection, the team calculates a weighted average for each job title to estimate a salary. For more details on our salary estimates, you can read the detailed methodology.

FAQs About the Highest-Paying Administrator Jobs

1. What is the highest-paid administrator job?

   The highest-paid administrator job is a Senior Administrator. Senior Administrators earn an average salary of $103,102, translating to $49.57 per hour.

   Senior Administrators are responsible for managing overall administrative functions in an organization, collaborating with upper management to identify process improvements and business opportunities that enhance revenue and profitability. They oversee task delegation among administrative staff, resolve record-keeping discrepancies, and respond to customer inquiries, ensuring efficient operations.

2. What is a good salary for an administrator?

   A good salary for an administrator is $72,882 or more. With an average administrator salary of $72,882, those earning this amount or higher are considered to be above average.

   However, keep in mind that salaries can vary significantly based on location, as companies adjust their pay scales according to the cost of living. It’s advisable to research local salary averages for your level of expertise and experience to better understand your compensation.

   Additionally, if you’re entering the field as a new administrator, the average entry-level salary should not be compared to the $72,882 average, as this figure encompasses all levels of experience.

3. Do Administrator jobs pay well?

   Yes, administrator jobs generally pay well. While some positions receive higher compensation than others, the average administrator salary of $72,882 is significantly higher than the average national income of approximately $44,225 per year.

   Furthermore, many administrative roles offer high earning potential, with the top 10% earning notably more. Keep in mind that salaries can fluctuate based on experience, industry, and location, so it’s essential to research the compensation trends in your area.

4. Where do administrators get paid the most?

   Administrators earn the highest salaries in Massachusetts. In Massachusetts, the average annual salary for administrators is $87,681, with an hourly wage of $42.15.

   Following Massachusetts, states with the highest average salaries for administrators include Washington, Oregon, and District of Columbia, where average salaries are $89,753, $84,490, and $85,736 respectively.

   The cities that offer the highest salaries for administrators are:

   1. San Francisco, CA – $96,252

   2. Seattle, WA – $90,608

   3. East Brunswick, NJ – $88,198

Author

Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.