System Administrator: Salary, Skills & How to Become One
System administrators manage servers, networks, and IT infrastructure that keep a company running. The role is a strong bridge from IT support into cloud and DevOps.
Key skills
Certifications that help
How to become a System Administrator
- Build on IT support fundamentals
- Learn Windows Server and Linux administration
- Pick up scripting (PowerShell or Bash)
- Earn a sysadmin certification
- Add cloud skills to move toward cloud/DevOps roles
Career path
Many people reach this role from IT Support Specialist, and grow into Cloud Engineer or DevOps Engineer.
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System Administrator FAQ
What does a system administrator earn?
Remote system administrators in the US and Canada typically earn $65,000-$100,000 depending on experience and stack.
How do I become a system administrator?
Most sysadmins start in IT support, then learn Windows Server, Linux, and scripting, and earn a certification like RHCSA or a Microsoft Server credential.
Is sysadmin a dying career?
It's evolving - pure on-prem work is shrinking, but sysadmins who add cloud and automation skills are in strong demand and well-positioned for cloud/DevOps roles.
Are sysadmin jobs remote?
Many are, especially in cloud-first organizations where infrastructure is managed remotely.