Best cities for a systems administrator
The best cities for systems administrators are Seattle, WA, Fremont, CA, and San Jose, CA, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for systems administrators vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for systems administrators in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a systems administrator or considering a move, this list of the best cities for systems administrators to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for systems administrators. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a systems administrator. While the absolute best city for systems administrators is Seattle, WA, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for systems administrators in 2024.
If you're looking for a systems administrator job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for systems administrators in 2025
1. Seattle, WA
Systems administrator jobs in SeattleTotal systems administrator jobs: 240 Average annual salary: $84,712 Lowest 10 percent warn: $62,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $115,000 Location quotient: 8.10 2. Fremont, CA
Systems administrator jobs in FremontTotal systems administrator jobs: 186 Average annual salary: $95,147 Lowest 10 percent warn: $69,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $130,000 Location quotient: 4.16 3. San Jose, CA
Systems administrator jobs in San JoseTotal systems administrator jobs: 67 Average annual salary: $95,070 Lowest 10 percent warn: $69,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $130,000 Location quotient: 3.68 4. Dallas, TX
Systems administrator jobs in DallasTotal systems administrator jobs: 47 Average annual salary: $72,550 Lowest 10 percent warn: $55,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $94,000 Location quotient: 9.76 5. Irving, TX
Systems administrator jobs in IrvingTotal systems administrator jobs: 164 Average annual salary: $72,531 Lowest 10 percent warn: $55,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $94,000 Location quotient: 19.37 6. Austin, TX
Systems administrator jobs in AustinTotal systems administrator jobs: 170 Average annual salary: $73,934 Lowest 10 percent warn: $56,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $96,000 Location quotient: 4.59 7. Plano, TX
Systems administrator jobs in PlanoTotal systems administrator jobs: 126 Average annual salary: $72,331 Lowest 10 percent warn: $55,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $94,000 Location quotient: 5.23 8. Charlotte, NC
Systems administrator jobs in CharlotteTotal systems administrator jobs: 57 Average annual salary: $72,553 Lowest 10 percent warn: $56,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $93,000 Location quotient: 4.32 9. North Las Vegas, NV
Systems administrator jobs in North Las VegasTotal systems administrator jobs: 6 Average annual salary: $77,021 Lowest 10 percent warn: $56,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $104,000 Location quotient: 2.47 10. Scottsdale, AZ
Systems administrator jobs in ScottsdaleTotal systems administrator jobs: 123 Average annual salary: $73,561 Lowest 10 percent warn: $55,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $97,000 Location quotient: 5.32
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Best cities for systems administrators
- Seattle, WA
- Fremont, CA
- San Jose, CA
- Dallas, TX
- Irving, TX
- Austin, TX
- Plano, TX
- Charlotte, NC
- North Las Vegas, NV
- Scottsdale, AZ
- (240 systems administrator jobs)
- (186 systems administrator jobs)
- (67 systems administrator jobs)
- (47 systems administrator jobs)
- (164 systems administrator jobs)
- (170 systems administrator jobs)
- (126 systems administrator jobs)
- (57 systems administrator jobs)
- (6 systems administrator jobs)
- (123 systems administrator jobs)
Detailed list of the best cities for a systems administrator
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $84,712 | $62,000 | 704,352 | 240 |
| 2 | Fremont, CA | $95,147 | $69,000 | 233,136 | 186 |
| 3 | San Jose, CA | $95,070 | $69,000 | 1,025,350 | 67 |
| 4 | Dallas, TX | $72,550 | $55,000 | 1,317,929 | 47 |
| 5 | Irving, TX | $72,531 | $55,000 | 238,289 | 164 |
| 6 | Austin, TX | $73,934 | $56,000 | 947,890 | 170 |
| 7 | Plano, TX | $72,331 | $55,000 | 286,057 | 126 |
| 8 | Charlotte, NC | $72,553 | $56,000 | 842,051 | 57 |
| 9 | North Las Vegas, NV | $77,021 | $56,000 | 238,702 | 6 |
| 10 | Scottsdale, AZ | $73,561 | $55,000 | 246,645 | 123 |
| 11 | Fort Worth, TX | $72,661 | $55,000 | 854,113 | 140 |
| 12 | Phoenix, AZ | $73,591 | $55,000 | 1,615,017 | 45 |
| 13 | Arlington, TX | $72,643 | $55,000 | 392,772 | 38 |
| 14 | Nashville, TN | $68,583 | $53,000 | 660,388 | 181 |
| 15 | Columbus, OH | $71,116 | $54,000 | 860,090 | 11 |
| 16 | Greensboro, NC | $73,427 | $57,000 | 287,027 | 49 |
| 17 | Garland, TX | $72,413 | $55,000 | 234,943 | 14 |
| 18 | Durham, NC | $73,829 | $57,000 | 263,016 | 98 |
| 19 | Lexington, KY | $68,096 | $52,000 | 318,449 | 64 |
| 20 | Raleigh, NC | $73,849 | $57,000 | 458,880 | 152 |
| 21 | San Antonio, TX | $74,239 | $56,000 | 1,492,510 | 177 |
| 22 | Sacramento, CA | $94,305 | $68,000 | 495,234 | 116 |
| 23 | Portland, OR | $79,881 | $58,000 | 639,863 | 20 |
| 24 | Pittsburgh, PA | $75,655 | $58,000 | 303,625 | 147 |
| 25 | Chandler, AZ | $73,465 | $55,000 | 247,477 | 70 |
| 26 | San Francisco, CA | $95,429 | $69,000 | 870,887 | 214 |
| 27 | Toledo, OH | $71,374 | $54,000 | 278,508 | 22 |
| 28 | Philadelphia, PA | $78,026 | $60,000 | 1,567,872 | 206 |
| 29 | Cincinnati, OH | $70,203 | $54,000 | 298,800 | 110 |
| 30 | Cleveland, OH | $71,961 | $55,000 | 385,809 | 57 |
| 31 | Oakland, CA | $95,297 | $69,000 | 420,005 | 43 |
| 32 | Houston, TX | $73,594 | $56,000 | 2,303,482 | 44 |
| 33 | Las Vegas, NV | $77,129 | $56,000 | 632,912 | 76 |
| 34 | Indianapolis, IN | $69,114 | $53,000 | 855,164 | 195 |
| 35 | Reno, NV | $78,982 | $57,000 | 245,255 | 15 |
| 36 | Saint Louis, MO | $69,640 | $53,000 | 311,404 | 63 |
| 37 | Winston-Salem, NC | $73,230 | $56,000 | 242,203 | 20 |
| 38 | Lincoln, NE | $68,283 | $51,000 | 280,364 | 79 |
| 39 | Henderson, NV | $76,683 | $56,000 | 292,969 | 6 |
| 40 | Madison, WI | $68,638 | $52,000 | 252,551 | 104 |
| 41 | Riverside, CA | $86,285 | $64,000 | 324,722 | 39 |
| 42 | Atlanta, GA | $70,451 | $54,000 | 472,522 | 22 |
| 43 | Louisville, KY | $67,751 | $52,000 | 597,337 | 90 |
| 44 | Gilbert, AZ | $73,446 | $55,000 | 237,133 | 11 |
| 45 | Stockton, CA | $94,636 | $68,000 | 307,072 | 10 |
| 46 | Boston, MA | $81,501 | $62,000 | 673,184 | 36 |
| 47 | Memphis, TN | $68,068 | $52,000 | 652,717 | 65 |
| 48 | Colorado Springs, CO | $66,792 | $49,000 | 465,101 | 125 |
| 49 | Jersey City, NJ | $77,443 | $59,000 | 264,152 | 15 |
| 50 | Tucson, AZ | $73,233 | $55,000 | 530,706 | 47 |
Highest paying cities for systems administrators
| Rank | City | Avg. systems administrator salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $95,429 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $84,712 |
| 3 | Boston, MA | $81,501 |
| 4 | Annapolis, MD | $81,494 |
| 5 | Washington, DC | $80,718 |
| 6 | New York, NY | $80,645 |
| 7 | Newtown, CT | $80,245 |
| 8 | Portland, OR | $79,881 |
| 9 | Arlington, VA | $78,659 |
| 10 | Philadelphia, PA | $78,026 |
| 11 | Jersey City, NJ | $77,443 |
| 12 | Portland, ME | $76,904 |
| 13 | San Antonio, TX | $74,239 |
| 14 | Jacksonville, NC | $73,827 |
| 15 | Phoenix, AZ | $73,591 |
| 16 | Chicago, IL | $72,081 |
| 17 | Columbus, OH | $71,116 |
| 18 | Alpharetta, GA | $70,533 |
| 19 | Saint Louis, MO | $69,640 |
| 20 | Indianapolis, IN | $69,114 |
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Updated January 8, 2025