How to hire a junior systems administrator

How to hire a junior systems administrator, step by step

Here's a step-by-step junior systems administrator hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a junior systems administrator job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new junior systems administrator
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a junior systems administrator do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a junior systems administrator, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a junior systems administrator to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a junior systems administrator that fits the bill.

   This list shows salaries for various types of junior systems administrators.

   Type of Junior Systems Administrator	Description	Hourly rate
   Junior Systems Administrator	Computer networks are critical parts of almost every organization. Network and computer systems administrators are responsible for the day-to-day operation of these networks.	$24-35
   Systems Support	A systems support agent is responsible for resolving system applications and network issues, performing technical configuration, and upgrading systems infrastructure. A systems support representative conducts regular maintenance and diagnostic tests on the computer applications to ensure its optimal performance and efficiency to support business operations and avoid delays in deliverables... Show more	$21-42
   Systems Support Analyst	A systems support analyst is responsible for supporting the operations of the technology department of an organization, resolving network issues, and maintaining the safety and security of the system database. Systems support analysts must have excellent knowledge of the technology industry, identifying system process improvements, upgrading system infrastructure, and assisting end-users with navigation... Show more	$27-54

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Windows Server
   • Troubleshoot
   • Technical Support
   • System Administration
   • Switches
   • OS
   • SAN
   • Unix
   • VMware
   • NAS
   • Desktop Support
   • User Accounts
   • DNS
   • PowerShell

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage Linux servers, running primarily CentOS.
   • Manage customer accounts and cases in Salesforce.
   • Load and manage customer provide encryption files.
   • Create, run and manage server back-ups monthly.
   • Develop PowerShell scripts to revamp and automate server build process.
   • Maintain and manage windows 2012 R2 in a virtual environment.

   More junior systems administrator duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your junior systems administrator job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A junior systems administrator salary can be affected by several factors, such as geography, experience, seniority, certifications, and the prestige of the hiring company.

   For example, the average salary for a junior systems administrator in Florida may be lower than in Washington, and an entry-level junior systems administrator usually earns less than a senior-level junior systems administrator. Additionally, a junior systems administrator with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.

   Average junior systems administrator salary

   $62,225yearly

   $29.92 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level junior systems administrator salary

   $51,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 1, 2026

   Average junior systems administrator salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$70,925	$34
   2	Washington	$70,829	$34
   3	Delaware	$69,151	$33
   4	Connecticut	$68,029	$33
   5	New York	$67,515	$32
   6	Massachusetts	$67,435	$32
   7	Wisconsin	$67,149	$32
   8	Minnesota	$66,732	$32
   9	Ohio	$66,410	$32
   10	New Jersey	$66,215	$32
   11	Michigan	$65,850	$32
   12	Pennsylvania	$65,775	$32
   13	North Carolina	$65,356	$31
   14	Arizona	$65,213	$31
   15	Illinois	$65,145	$31
   16	Texas	$64,819	$31
   17	Virginia	$64,481	$31
   18	Missouri	$64,308	$31
   19	Georgia	$63,123	$30
   20	Tennessee	$62,785	$30

   Average junior systems administrator salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Jacobs Engineering Group	$74,840	$35.98
   2	SOS International	$68,445	$32.91	10
   3	The Center for Health Care Services	$68,331	$32.85	4
   4	Cancer Treatment Centers of America	$67,660	$32.53
   5	One Legal	$67,099	$32.26	1
   6	Chrysalis	$66,747	$32.09
   7	Sargent & Lundy	$65,898	$31.68	12
   8	Vallarta Supermarkets	$65,251	$31.37
   9	Wipro Limited	$65,117	$31.31	30
   10	Van Ness Feldman	$64,922	$31.21
   11	Columbia Helicopters	$64,667	$31.09	1
   12	By Light Professional IT Services	$64,290	$30.91	9
   13	Riverside Research	$64,019	$30.78	2
   14	Sur La Table	$64,006	$30.77
   15	INDUS Technology	$63,930	$30.74	5
   16	ABS Global	$63,800	$30.67
   17	Innovative Solutions & Support	$63,220	$30.39
   18	NuAxis Innovations	$63,015	$30.30	7
   19	Federal Data Systems	$62,965	$30.27
   20	Rite-Solutions	$62,965	$30.27	2

4. Writing a junior systems administrator job description

   A job description for a junior systems administrator role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a junior systems administrator job description:

   Junior systems administrator job description example

   Provide system administration for workstations, servers, and various network and infrastructure devices, to include installation/imaging, patching, maintenance, and troubleshooting of systems to resolution on the required Operating System (Windows, Linux/UNIX, Solaris, Macintosh, etc.).
   
   Ensure all servers, workstations, and various network and infrastructure devices adhere to DoD, Navy, and NIWC Pacific security and compliance requirements. Performing configuration changes, conducting log analysis, system hardening in accordance with Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) Security Technical Implementation Guidelines (STIGs), and managing/maintaining endpoint security compliance.
   
   Provide design, deployment, management, maintenance, and troubleshooting of systems in the below environments: Enterprise software distribution and management tools (such as Microsoft Endpoint Manager Configuration Manager); Directory structure management (such as Microsoft Active Directory or Lightweight Active Directory Protocol); Virtualization infrastructure; Storage arrays; Endpoint security servers (such as Host Based Security System); and Databases.
   
   Design and build data communication networks, which can include but are not limited to: Local Area Networks (LANs), Wide Area Networks (WANs), and intranets.
   
   Design, secure, maintain, and deploy solutions to a multi-cloud environment composed of, but not limited to, Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure. The contractor shall understand the Cloud Computing Security Requirements Guide and cloud computing industry best practices and utilize these tools to advise on business rules for operating in cloud environments, and design/implement technical controls to enforce these business rules. Support Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI), Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS) solutions, and other cloud technologies as determined by the government.
   
   This position is responsible for providing for professional and technical Information Technology (IT) system administrators to Navy RDT&E Networks, in the following areas: General system administration; Specialized system administration; Network administration; and Cloud administration.
   Mandatory Skill Requirements (must have) for System Administrator Level I: Three to five years of experience performing installation, management, and troubleshooting of computer and infrastructure devices Three to five years of experience with ensuring/maintaining compliance with cybersecurity policies and practices Ability to interact and effectively communicate with customers Education/Equivalent : Degree not required (but is desired) for System Administrator Level I or II Special Considerations or Comments : Secret Level Clearance

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right junior systems administrator for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with junior systems administrators they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit junior systems administrators who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your junior systems administrator job on Zippia to find and recruit junior systems administrator candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit junior systems administrators, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   If your interviews with junior systems administrator applicants aren't enough to make a decision, you should also consider including a test project. These are often the best, most straightforward, and least bias-prone ways of determining who will likely succeed in the role. If you don't know how to design an appropriate test, you can ask someone else on the team to create it or take a look at these websites to get a few ideas:

   • TestDome
   • CodeSignal
   • Testlify
   • BarRaiser
   • Coderbyte

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new junior systems administrator

   Once you've decided on a perfect junior systems administrator candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire a junior systems administrator?