Q: How much money do system administrators make?

System administrators make an average of $63,510 a year. However, the range in earning potential can be as low as $52,370 a year to as high as $132,520 a year. There is a high degree of variability in the potential earnings of a system administrator. One major factor in this is based on the location of the position does play a big factor in the range in salaries.

Q: Is a systems administrator a good job?

Yes, being a system administrator is a good job. Systems administrators have great earning potential relative to the level of study required instead of some of the other disciplines in IT.

Question 1

System Engineer vs. System Administrator

Accepted Answer

A system engineer is someone who focuses on the implementation of a network system, while a system administrator is a professional who manages the ongoing support of a system.

System engineers deal mostly with the planning, design, design changes, and implementation of a network or system. Their job is to determine problems within specific systems. They provide solutions for issues they find in the process, including designing new systems, upgrading hardware, and maintaining an existing system.

Question 2

How long does it take to become a Systems Administrator?

Accepted Answer

It takes 5 years of professional experience to become a systems administrator. That is the time it takes to learn specific systems administrator skills, but does not account for time spent in formal education. If you include the normal education requirements to complete a college degree, then it takes 8 to 10 years years to become a systems administrator.

Question 3

Do you need a degree to be a system administrator and why?

Accepted Answer

No, you do not need a degree to become a systems administrator. However, it will certainly help your chances of landing a job.

Only around 6% of systems administrators have just a high school diploma. While 45% of system administrators have a bachelor's degree and 29% have an associate's degree in network systems administration.

Question 4

How do I become a system administrator without a degree?

Accepted Answer

To become a systems administrator without a degree, learn the necessary skills and earn a certification.

Not having a degree does make it harder to land a position as a systems administrator. Around 6% of systems administrators have only a high school diploma.

Question 5

How much money do system administrators make?

Accepted Answer

System administrators make an average of $63,510 a year. However, the range in earning potential can be as low as $52,370 a year to as high as $132,520 a year.

There is a high degree of variability in the potential earnings of a system administrator. One major factor in this is based on the location of the position does play a big factor in the range in salaries.

Question 6

Is a systems administrator a good job?

Accepted Answer

Yes, being a system administrator is a good job. Systems administrators have great earning potential relative to the level of study required instead of some of the other disciplines in IT.

Question 7

What is the career path for a systems administrator?

Accepted Answer

The career path for a systems administrator includes jobs as a systems administrator, network engineer, and engineering director. Most systems administrators before beginning work have completed at least a bachelor's degree program as well as done some internships.

Question 8

What qualifications do you need to be a systems administrator?

Accepted Answer

The qualifications you need to become a systems administrator are a strong understanding of computer systems hardware and software, networking, programming, IT security, and either a college degree or technical certification in systems administration.

Question 9

What is a good starting salary for a Systems Administrator?

Accepted Answer

A good starting salary for a systems administrator is $61,000 in the United States. That puts you in the 10th percentile of annual income for a systems administrator in the U.S., which is about what you would expect if you were new to the field. The average salary for systems administrators is $80,851, but that normally requires some level of experience to achieve. Furthermore, a good starting salary for a systems administrator can vary by state.

Question 10

Can a systems administrator make 100k?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can make $100,000 per year as a systems administrator. The chances of earning over $100k for a systems administrator are actually pretty good because the highest-paid systems administrator positions typically pay at least $105,000 per year. The average annual salary is $80,851 for systems administrator jobs. For example, systems administrators in Washington whose salaries are in the 90th percentile earn an average salary of $132,000.

Question 11

What percentage of Systems Administrators are female?

Accepted Answer

17.6% of systems administrators are female in the United States. This is 2.0 percentage points higher than last year. Additionally, the percentage of female systems administrators has decreased by -0.2 percentage points since 2010. That means there are a total of 56,054 female systems administrators in the U.S. and 262,439 male systems administrators in the United States. Note that Zippia's estimate accounts only for the 318,493 people with the specific job title of systems administrator and doesn't include grouping similar job titles, or people with potentially similar credentialing.

Question 12

How do I write system administrator on a resume?

Accepted Answer

You write system administrator on a resume by including it as your work title in the 'Professional Experience' section. Then list your duties and accomplishments in that role.

Show the hiring manager your experience with different operating systems, security, and data recovery, as well as your communication skills and working with others.

Question 13

How do you list active directory skills on a resume?

Accepted Answer

You list active directory skills on a resume individually in a 'skills section' or as part of your duties in the 'work experience' section. This is a great background for system administration.

Question 14

What is a system administrator's job description?

Accepted Answer

A system administrator's job description focuses on overseeing servers and computer systems. The role maintains, upgrades, and manages the company's technical interface.

It requires a background in IT or computing. Hiring managers search for admins who are competent in the operating system used by their company:

Question 15

What skills are needed for a system administrator?

Accepted Answer

The skills needed for a system administrator are both technical and service-oriented. While you are spending much of your time working in front of a screen or setting up systems, you are also the go-to problem solver for employees at various levels of technical knowledge.

Frequently asked questions about systems administrators

Questions about becoming a systems administrator