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Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Real salary distribution from 288 tracked cities across 46 states. Compare entry-level, median, and senior compensation — then adjust for cost of living.
Before negotiating salary, check what the market actually pays — city by city. The national median salary for Systems Administrators in 2026 is $104,750, with entry-level positions averaging $75,420 and senior roles reaching $148,745. But those numbers flatten a reality with enormous geographic variation — Sunnyvale pays a median of $190,800, while other markets fall well below the national average. We tracked 288 cities to build the complete picture.
A career as a Systems Administrator sits at the intersection of Technology and Technology. Most professionals enter with Bachelor's in IT, and the field is characterized by steady. The work itself is hybrid. Understanding that context matters: it explains why certain markets pay premiums and others lag.
$116,100 separates the highest and lowest-paying cities. A Systems Administrator in Sunnyvale, California earns a median of $190,800 — $116,100 more than their counterpart in Toledo, Ohio ($74,700). That gap alone is more than many cities' annual rent. That salary-to-cost ratio is genuinely competitive.
The three-tier salary picture for Systems Administrators in 2026: $75,420 at entry (P10), $104,750 at midpoint, and $148,745 at the senior end (P90). The state breakdown adds another layer. The $73,325 range from bottom to top isn't just experience — it's geography, specialization, and industry mixed together. The median itself lands $24,383 above the national median household income of $80,367.
Compare the extremes: the highest-paying trio of cities (Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Irvine) averages $178,200, while the lowest-paying trio (Toledo, Detroit, Akron) averages $75,300. The $102,900 difference is the kind of number that reshapes career strategy — assuming the cost of living cooperates.
A Systems Administrator in Sunnyvale, California earns a median of $190,800 — $116,100 more than their counterpart in Toledo, Ohio ($74,700). That gap alone is more than many cities' annual rent.
The national average entry-level (P10) salary for Systems Administrator is $75,420, while senior-level (P90) earners average $148,745. That $73,325 trajectory represents the earning growth a career in this field can deliver.
California pays the highest average median salary for Systems Administrators at $126,428 across 61 tracked cities. The gap between #1 and #5 (New Jersey at $111,150) is $15,278.
At the 90th percentile, Systems Administrators pull in an average of $148,745. In the top-paying markets, that figure climbs even higher — making this one of the more lucrative career trajectories in its field.
| Country | Coverage | Entry (P10) | Median | Senior (P90) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 288 | $75,420 | $104,750 | $148,745 |
| United Kingdom | 27 | £45,222 | £62,809 | £89,189 |
| Canada | 21 | CA$58,620 | CA$81,416 | CA$115,611 |
| Australia | 13 | A$67,947 | A$94,370 | A$134,006 |
| Sweden | 24 | 427,997 kr | 594,440 kr | 844,104 kr |
| State | Cities | Entry (P10) | Median | Senior (P90) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | 61 | $91,028 | $126,428 | $179,528 |
| Massachusetts | 4 | $87,966 | $122,175 | $173,489 |
| Hawaii | 1 | $87,480 | $121,500 | $172,530 |
| District of Columbia | 1 | $81,000 | $112,500 | $159,750 |
| New Jersey | 4 | $80,028 | $111,150 | $157,833 |
| Washington | 8 | $78,489 | $109,013 | $154,798 |
| New York | 5 | $73,872 | $102,600 | $145,692 |
| Rhode Island | 1 | $73,872 | $102,600 | $145,692 |
| Florida | 22 | $73,312 | $101,823 | $144,588 |
| Colorado | 11 | $72,046 | $100,064 | $142,090 |
| New Hampshire | 1 | $71,928 | $99,900 | $141,858 |
| Nevada | 5 | $71,798 | $99,720 | $141,602 |
| Arizona | 12 | $71,442 | $99,225 | $140,900 |
| Oregon | 5 | $71,280 | $99,000 | $140,580 |
| Idaho | 3 | $71,064 | $98,700 | $140,154 |
| Connecticut | 5 | $70,502 | $97,920 | $139,046 |
| Utah | 4 | $70,308 | $97,650 | $138,663 |
| Virginia | 7 | $69,151 | $96,043 | $136,381 |
| South Carolina | 3 | $68,256 | $94,800 | $134,616 |
| Alaska | 1 | $68,040 | $94,500 | $134,190 |
| Illinois | 5 | $67,262 | $93,420 | $132,656 |
| North Carolina | 9 | $65,592 | $91,100 | $129,362 |
| New Mexico | 3 | $64,800 | $90,000 | $127,800 |
| Montana | 1 | $64,800 | $90,000 | $127,800 |
| Tennessee | 6 | $64,584 | $89,700 | $127,374 |
| Texas | 40 | $64,265 | $89,258 | $126,746 |
| Minnesota | 2 | $64,152 | $89,100 | $126,522 |
| Wisconsin | 2 | $63,828 | $88,650 | $125,883 |
| Georgia | 6 | $63,612 | $88,350 | $125,457 |
| Pennsylvania | 3 | $63,504 | $88,200 | $125,244 |
| Kansas | 4 | $63,180 | $87,750 | $124,605 |
| Michigan | 6 | $62,964 | $87,450 | $124,179 |
| Kentucky | 2 | $62,208 | $86,400 | $122,688 |
| Maryland | 1 | $62,208 | $86,400 | $122,688 |
| Nebraska | 2 | $61,560 | $85,500 | $121,410 |
| South Dakota | 1 | $61,560 | $85,500 | $121,410 |
| Oklahoma | 4 | $59,940 | $83,250 | $118,215 |
| North Dakota | 1 | $59,616 | $82,800 | $117,576 |
| Louisiana | 4 | $58,806 | $81,675 | $115,979 |
| Missouri | 4 | $58,806 | $81,675 | $115,979 |
| Alabama | 5 | $58,579 | $81,360 | $115,531 |
| Indiana | 3 | $57,672 | $80,100 | $113,742 |
| Arkansas | 1 | $57,672 | $80,100 | $113,742 |
| Iowa | 2 | $57,024 | $79,200 | $112,464 |
| Ohio | 6 | $56,916 | $79,050 | $112,251 |
| Mississippi | 1 | $54,432 | $75,600 | $107,352 |
The state salary map for Systems Administrators: California at $126,428, Massachusetts at $122,175, Hawaii at $121,500 lead the pack. The bottom tier — Mississippi ($75,600), Ohio ($79,050), Iowa ($79,200) — shows how regional economics reshape compensation. Across all 46 states with data, the state-level spread alone is $50,828.
When you adjust the top-paying cities for cost of living, the ranking reshuffles. Sunnyvale ($190,800 nominal, 212 cost index) delivers $90,000 in purchasing power — maintaining its lead even after cost adjustment. This is the metric that matters for anyone considering a geo-based career move.
Raw salary divided by the local cost index — this shows where your paycheck buys the most.
| # | City | Nominal Salary | Cost Index | Adjusted Salary | Est. Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sunnyvale California | $190,800 | 212 | $90,000 | $111,993 |
| 2 | Santa Clara California | $178,200 | 198 | $90,000 | $105,057 |
| 3 | Irvine California | $165,600 | 184 | $90,000 | $98,120 |
| 4 | San Francisco California | $162,900 | 181 | $90,000 | $96,634 |
| 5 | Carlsbad California | $160,200 | 178 | $90,000 | $95,148 |
| 6 | San Jose California | $159,300 | 177 | $90,000 | $94,652 |
| 7 | Fremont California | $159,300 | 177 | $90,000 | $94,652 |
| 8 | Berkeley California | $155,700 | 173 | $90,000 | $92,670 |
| 9 | Costa Mesa California | $155,700 | 173 | $90,000 | $92,670 |
| 10 | Huntington Beach California | $152,100 | 169 | $90,000 | $90,689 |
The $73,325 gap between P10 and P90 represents the earning trajectory of a Systems Administrator career. Senior-level earners make 2.0× what entry-level professionals do — a solid progression that justifies the upfront investment. In the Technology sector, steady, which shapes both starting salaries and long-term ceiling.
The weighted national median salary for Systems Administrators is $104,750 in 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics across 288 U.S. metro areas. Entry-level (10th percentile) averages $75,420, while experienced professionals at the 90th percentile average $148,745.
The highest-paying city for Systems Administrators is Sunnyvale, California with a median salary of $190,800. The top 3 cities are Sunnyvale ($190,800), Santa Clara ($178,200), Irvine ($165,600). Note: high-paying cities often have higher costs of living — check the cost-adjusted rankings above for purchasing power.
The lowest median Systems Administrator salary in our data is in Toledo, Ohio at $74,700. However, lower-paying cities often have significantly lower costs of living, which can offset the pay gap. Always compare salary data alongside local cost of living.
Entry-level Systems Administrators (10th percentile) average $75,420 nationally. This varies by city — in the highest-paying markets, entry-level pay can be close to $137,376. Experience, certifications, and employer type all influence starting salary.
At the 90th percentile (senior level), Systems Administrators average $148,745 nationally — $73,325 more than entry-level. In top-paying cities, senior Systems Administrators can earn up to $270,936.
The top-paying states for Systems Administrators are California ($126,428 median), Massachusetts ($122,175 median), Hawaii ($121,500 median). State averages are computed across all tracked cities in each state, weighted equally.
The typical education path for a Systems Administrator involves Bachelor's in IT. The field is in the Technology sector (Technology), and the career outlook is steady. Work style is typically hybrid.
With a national median of $104,750 and representation across 288 metro areas, Systems Administrator offers above-average earning potential compared to national household income. The $73,325 gap between entry and senior pay shows room for salary growth. Industry outlook: steady.
All salary data on this page is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, which surveys employers across U.S. metropolitan areas. We present 10th percentile (entry), 50th percentile (median), and 90th percentile (senior) pay benchmarks. Cost-of-living adjustments use our core database of 288 cities.
Salary data is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, which surveys employers across U.S. metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas. We present the 10th percentile (entry-level), 50th percentile (median), and 90th percentile (senior) pay benchmarks.
Cost-of-living adjustments use Livably's core index derived from Zillow rent data, Census income surveys, and regional BLS price data. Take-home pay estimates apply simplified federal brackets, 7.65% FICA, and state income tax rates from the Tax Foundation.
State and national averages are computed as simple means across all tracked cities with data for this occupation. Rankings are updated monthly as new BLS releases become available.