How to hire a senior linux systems administrator

How to hire a senior linux systems administrator, step by step

Here's a step-by-step senior linux 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 senior linux systems administrator job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new senior linux systems administrator
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a senior linux systems administrator do?

Post a senior linux systems administrator job for free, promote it for a fee

Post free

1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the senior linux systems administrator you need to hire. Certain senior linux systems administrator roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   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 senior linux 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 senior linux systems administrator that fits the bill.

   Here's a comparison of senior linux systems administrator salaries for various roles:

   Type of Senior Linux Systems Administrator	Description	Hourly rate
   Senior Linux 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.	$39-65
   Lead Administrator	Lead administrators are information technology (IT) professionals who are responsible for managing and troubleshooting departmental computer operations of an organization. These IT professionals must manage and approve access to their online score data as well as create new users directly in the portal to allow access to the score data... Show more	$30-67
   LAN Administrator	LAN administrators are responsible for maintaining the local area network of an organization. These administrators manage the server that connects an organization's network to computers and equipment that need them... Show more	$20-41

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Python
   • Windows
   • Cloud
   • Bash
   • OS
   • Red Hat
   • Unix
   • Ansible
   • SAN
   • LDAP
   • AWS
   • Configuration Management
   • Centos
   • Perl

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage TCP/IP packets and DHCP servers.
   • Administer Jenkins for managing weekly build, test and deploy cycle.
   • Used AWS S3 and EC2 for managing storage, launching virtual servers, configuration of security & networking.
   • Manage NFS and NAS mounting that include adding new mounts, resolving mounting issues on Solaris and RedHat Linux platforms.
   • Lead system virtualization project and reduce server numbers.
   • Experience shell scripting to automate administration jobs including backups for Websphere administration repository.

   More senior linux systems administrator duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your senior linux systems administrator job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A senior linux 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 senior linux systems administrator in North Dakota may be lower than in New Jersey, and an entry-level senior linux systems administrator usually earns less than a senior-level senior linux systems administrator. Additionally, a senior linux 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 senior linux systems administrator salary

   $106,223yearly

   $51.07 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level senior linux systems administrator salary

   $82,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 20, 2026

   Average senior linux systems administrator salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$129,951	$62
   2	District of Columbia	$123,759	$60
   3	Washington	$123,424	$59
   4	Maryland	$113,851	$55
   5	Alabama	$113,371	$55
   6	Massachusetts	$112,501	$54
   7	Wisconsin	$106,616	$51
   8	New York	$106,406	$51
   9	South Carolina	$101,068	$49
   10	Virginia	$100,461	$48
   11	Texas	$99,382	$48
   12	North Carolina	$98,292	$47
   13	Tennessee	$97,108	$47
   14	Georgia	$96,185	$46
   15	New Mexico	$95,257	$46
   16	Iowa	$94,984	$46
   17	Colorado	$92,032	$44
   18	Florida	$88,038	$42
   19	Illinois	$86,654	$42

   Average senior linux systems administrator salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Anaplan	$138,246	$66.46
   2	NVIDIA	$137,871	$66.28	146
   3	QuinStreet	$130,678	$62.83	1
   4	Citi	$127,516	$61.31	3
   5	ServiceNow	$124,508	$59.86	18
   6	Zynga	$116,588	$56.05
   7	Acronis	$116,367	$55.95
   8	Geneva Trading	$114,582	$55.09
   9	Guidewire Software	$113,396	$54.52
   10	Ball	$112,476	$54.08
   11	UMass Lowell	$111,975	$53.83	4
   12	ESM	$111,747	$53.72	6
   13	Nuance Communications	$111,196	$53.46
   14	University of Southern California	$110,384	$53.07	18
   15	TAD PGS	$109,449	$52.62	3
   16	Booz Allen Hamilton	$108,779	$52.30	166
   17	Axient	$108,351	$52.09
   18	SMS Holdings	$107,151	$51.51
   19	Randstad North America, Inc.	$106,708	$51.30	28
   20	Parker Hannifin	$106,430	$51.17	20

4. Writing a senior linux systems administrator job description

   A job description for a senior linux 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 senior linux systems administrator job description:

   Senior linux systems administrator job description example

   Vision IT is a fast growing, woman-owned business that's has supported Federal Government's IT initiatives for two decades. We work side-by-side with our Federal clients as a trusted, long-term partner to offer innovative advice and leadership to solve their most pressing and complex problems. We orchestrate people, strategies, technologies and best-of-breed business processes.
   
   Vision IT provides strategic consulting services to meet mission IT requirements for our government clients. Vision IT is hiring a full-time UNIX/LINUX Senior System Administrator to support the Regional Cyber Center CONUS (RCC-C).
   
   The Unix/Linux SME provides services in support of the U.S. Army Network Enterprise Technology Command (NETCOM) RCC-C. You will provide recommendations to the Government pertaining to industry vision and strategic direction regarding enterprise system design, system implementation, system optimization, system enhancement, systems management processes and technology insertion of network and NetOps capabilities. You will assist the Government in defining and designing system specifications and standards, analyzing system input/output processes, and working parameters for hardware/software compatibility and interoperability in support of system capabilities. Provide planning, design, development, engineering, integration, and technical and operational support to RCC-C projects. Applies new solutions through research and collaboration with team and determines course of action for new application initiatives. Implements new software solutions as required by the business. The core infrastructure technology duties include:
   
   RedHat Linux/ Unix Systems Administrator-Intermediate supporting a 24x7 enterprise support organization. This position will consist of daily maintenance of RedHat Linux systems. This will include but may not be limited to:
   
   Installing, configuring, and maintaining servers using the RedHat Linux operating system based on internally developed processes.
   
   Monitoring log files, performance issues, and the production environment for mission critical systems
   Participate in an on-call rotation for UNIX/Linux support issues Follow standard operating procedures to ensure the security posture of the environment Engaging in continuous learning to stay abreast on new and emerging technologies that relate to the Linux environment Work independently as well as a team member Ability to set priorities and organize work to meet deadlines Ensure compliance with established standards, policies, and configuration guidelines Maintain a cooperative working relationship with those contacted during the course of the work day Education BA/BS or equivalent experience Minimum Qualifications/Certifications HS + 6 yrs. similar experience, AA/AS + 4 years or BA/BS +2 Active in scope SECRET clearance or the ability to obtain Interim SECRET eligibility An IAT II certification (CCNA-Security, CND, CySA+, GICSP, GSEC, Security+ CE, or SSCP) is required at start date RHCSA or similar Linux professional certificate required IAW 8570 Baseline Certification requirements document within 180 days of hire. Ability to perform on-call and after duty hours as needed An ability to communicate effectively both orally and in a written form with users and office staff Work independently and within a team structure An ability to set priorities and organize work to meet deadlines Preferred Qaulifications: Server Administration experience Familiar with the UNIX environment VI Editor experience Vision IT provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Vision IT complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training. Vision IT expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of Vision IT's employees to perform their job duties may result in discipline up to and including discharge.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find senior linux systems administrators for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

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

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with senior linux systems administrator candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

   Sometimes, it's not enough to interview senior linux systems administrator candidates, so you can ask them to do a test project. If you are not a technical person and don't know what a test project should be, you can use these websites:

   • 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 senior linux systems administrator

   Once you've selected the best senior linux systems administrator candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   To prepare for the new senior linux systems administrator first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

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.)

   Sign up to download full list

   Sign up

How much does it cost to hire a senior linux systems administrator?