Systems Administrator: Career Overview
Official government data · Updated April 2026
Systems Administrators earn a national median of $96,800/yr with -4.2% projected employment growth over 2024–2034. The role draws on expertise in Computers and Electronics, English Language, Customer and Personal Service.
Median Salary
$96,800
National · 2024
10-Year Growth
-4.2%
Declining
Employed Nationally
318,570
2024 data
Typical Education
Bachelor's degree
Entry-level
What Employers Expect From a Systems Administrator
These are the competencies recruiters screen for in Systems Administrator candidates, ranked by importance. Your resume should demonstrate each one:
Knowledge Areas
Core knowledge domains most important for Systems Administrator performance, based on verified occupational data.
Tools & Technologies
High-demand tools and technologies for Systems Administrator roles.
Job Outlook: 2024–2034
Employment is projected to grow -4.2% for Systems Administrator roles over the 2024–2034 decade. That's declining compared to the 4% average across all occupations.
- Current Employment
- 318,570
- Projected Growth
- -4.2%
- Typical Education
- Bachelor's degree
Top Employers
Companies actively hiring for Systems Administrator roles, ranked by disclosure volume. Salaries reflect base pay from employer disclosure records.
| Company | Median Disclosed Salary | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Cisco Systems Inc | $114,300 | 63 |
Base salary only — excludes equity and bonuses.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does a Systems Administrator do?
- Systems Administrators apply expertise in Computers and Electronics, English Language, Customer and Personal Service to perform their core responsibilities. Key competencies include Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, Judgment and Decision Making, Systems Analysis.
- How much does a Systems Administrator make?
- The national median salary for a Systems Administrator is $96,800 per year based on official government wage survey data. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.
- Is Systems Administrator a good career in 2026?
- Employment for Systems Administrator roles is projected to grow -4.2% over the 2024–2034 decade — declining compared to all occupations. There are currently 318,570 workers in this occupation nationally.
- What education do you need to become a Systems Administrator?
- The typical entry-level education for a Systems Administrator is Bachelor's degree. Requirements vary by employer and specialization.
- What skills do Systems Administrators need?
- The most important skills for Systems Administrator roles based on verified occupational data: Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, Judgment and Decision Making, Systems Analysis, Active Listening, Monitoring, Complex Problem Solving, Troubleshooting, Systems Evaluation, Programming. Key tools and technologies include: Amazon Web Services AWS software, Ansible software, Atlassian JIRA, Bash, Firewall software.
Does Your Resume Cover These Skills?
Tap the skills that are currently on your resume.
Salary, employment, and skills figures sourced from official U.S. government records and occupational databases. Actual compensation and requirements vary by location, experience, and employer. Salary and employment figures from official U.S. government records. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.