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Active Directory Systems Administrator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Castalia Systems

$124K - $136K/yr

Job Summary A Systems Administrator (Windows Active Directory) will ensure the reliability, security, and compliance of Windows systems and applications within HQ USINDOPACOM networks. Managing over ...

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How much do active directory systems administrator jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 23, 2026, the average hourly pay for active directory systems administrator in the United States is $52.74, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $40.38 and $64.18 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Active Directory Systems Administrator, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Active Directory Systems Administrator, you need a solid understanding of Windows Server environments, directory services, and network protocols, often backed by a degree in information technology or related certifications like Microsoft Certified: Windows Server or Azure Administrator. Familiarity with tools such as Active Directory Users and Computers (ADUC), PowerShell scripting, and group policy management is typically required. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help you troubleshoot issues and collaborate with IT teams. These skills ensure the secure, efficient, and reliable management of user access and system resources critical to organizational operations.

What are some common challenges Active Directory Systems Administrators face when managing large-scale environments?

Active Directory Systems Administrators working in large organizations often encounter challenges such as maintaining consistent security policies across multiple domains, ensuring high availability and disaster recovery, and efficiently managing user and group permissions. They also need to regularly monitor replication health and address issues that arise from complex organizational structures or legacy systems. Staying updated on best practices and automation tools can help mitigate these challenges and improve overall system reliability.

What are Active Directory Systems Administrators?

Active Directory Systems Administrators are IT professionals responsible for managing and maintaining Microsoft Active Directory environments within an organization. They handle user account management, authentication, group policy implementation, and the overall security of network resources. Their work ensures that only authorized users have access to sensitive information and that the organization’s IT infrastructure runs smoothly and efficiently. Additionally, they often troubleshoot issues, perform system upgrades, and implement best practices for directory services.

What is the difference between Active Directory Systems Administrator vs Network Administrator?

AspectActive Directory Systems AdministratorNetwork Administrator
CertificationsMicrosoft Certified: Windows Server, CompTIA Network+Cisco CCNA, CompTIA Network+
Work EnvironmentFocus on Active Directory, user management, permissionsManage entire network infrastructure, including routers and switches
Industry UsageIT departments in various industries, enterprise environmentsBroadly used across organizations with complex networks

The Active Directory Systems Administrator specializes in managing and maintaining Active Directory services, user accounts, and permissions within an organization's IT infrastructure. In contrast, the Network Administrator oversees the broader network infrastructure, including hardware, routing, and switching. While both roles require networking certifications and work closely within IT teams, the Active Directory Systems Administrator focuses more on directory services and user management, whereas the Network Administrator handles overall network connectivity and hardware.

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Active Directory Systems Administrator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Active Directory Systems Administrator job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $109,697 per year, or $52.7 per hour.
Active Directory Systems Administrator - TS/SCI w/Poly

Active Directory Systems Administrator - TS/SCI w/Poly

GDIT

Washington, DC • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 15 days ago

General Dynamics Information Technology rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 63 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

76th of 213 rated it services

Job description

Type of Requisition:

Pipeline

Clearance Level Must Currently Possess:

Top Secret SCI + Polygraph

Clearance Level Must Be Able to Obtain:

Top Secret SCI + Polygraph

Public Trust/Other Required:

None

Job Family:

IT Infrastructure and Operations

Job Qualifications:

Skills:

Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS), Active Directory Federation Services (AD FS), Domain Controllers, Group Policy, Group Policy Objects (GPO)

Certifications:

None

Experience:

4 + years of related experience

US Citizenship Required:

Yes

Job Description:

ACTIVE DIRECTORY SYSTEMS ADMINISTRATOR

YOUR IMPACT

Own your opportunity to support national defense. Your work will help keep critical operations secure and connected across the global enterprise directly, contributing to a mission that protects our nation every day.

CIO Infrastructure Services (CIS) is growing, and we invite both our experienced incumbents and new team members to be part of what's next. Incumbents bring invaluable mission insight, while new talent adds fresh ideas and energy. Together, we'll strengthen continuity and drive the next generation of innovation.

MEANINGFUL WORK AND PERSONAL IMPACT

As an Active Directory Systems Administrator supporting CIS, you will sustain and secure enterprise directory services that enable authentication, authorization, and identity management across complex, multinetwork environments. You will maintain Active Directory forests, domains, and Group Policy, ensure directory service availability, and deliver reliable identity driven capabilities that underpin critical mission systems. Your work strengthens security, consistency, and operational readiness across the enterprise.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Administer and maintain Active Directory forests, domains, trust relationships, replication services, and enterprise directory components
  • Manage and troubleshoot identity services, including DNS integrated AD functions, authentication, Kerberos/NTLM, group membership, and object lifecycle management
  • Create, maintain, and troubleshoot Group Policy Objects (GPOs) to enforce secure, standardized configurations across multiple networks and client baselines
  • Perform Tier 2/3 directory service support, resolving complex AD, DNS, GPO, and authentication issues across distributed environments
  • Support AD integrated services including certificate services, federation services, domain controllers, and directory dependent applications
  • Execute domain controller deployments, configuration updates, schema extensions, and lifecycle upgrades in alignment with operational and security requirements
  • Monitor AD health, replication status, event logs, and performance to ensure availability and integrity of directory services
  • Maintain directory service documentation, configuration baselines, and operational procedures
  • Collaborate with engineering, cybersecurity, and operations teams to support design changes, new identity capabilities, and secure directory implementations
  • Execute patching and compliance tasks for AD, DNS, and directory integrated systems
  • Identify and remediate patching gaps, and document corrective actions


WHAT YOU'LL NEED TO SUCCEED

  • EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
    Active DirectorySystems Administrator Senior - Requires a Bachelor's degree in an ITrelated field or 8+ years of relevant IT experience in lieu of a degree.
    Active DirectorySystems Administrator Principal- Requires a Bachelor's degree in an ITrelated field or 10+ years of relevant IT experience in lieu of a degree.

  • CERTIFICATION: Meet DoD 8140 Information Assurance Workforce certification requirements (e.g. Security+ CE, etc.)

  • CLEARANCE: Active TS/SCI clearance with a favorable polygraph

  • Hands-on experience administering AD, Group Policy, DNS, and authentication services in enterprise or multidomain environments
  • Strong knowledge of AD health monitoring, replication, domain controller management, OU structure design, and secure configuration practices
  • Experience troubleshooting complex authentication, GPO, DNS, and directory integrated application issues
  • Familiarity with STIGs, patching workflows, vulnerability remediation, and configuration compliance requirements
  • Strong documentation, communication, and cross team collaboration skills
  • US citizenship required
  • LOCATION: Onsite

GDIT IS YOUR PLACE

At GDIT, the mission is our purpose, and our people are at the center of everything we do.
Growth: AI-powered career tool that identifies career steps and learning opportunities
Support: An internal mobility team focused on helping you achieve your career goals
Rewards: Comprehensive benefits and wellness packages, 401K with company match, and competitive pay and paid time off
Community: Award-winning culture of innovation and a military-friendly workplace
OWN YOUR OPPORTUNITY
Explore an enterprise IT career at GDIT and you'll find endless opportunities to grow alongside colleagues who share your desire to drive operations forward.

#CIS

The likely salary range for this position is $96,569 - $130,651. This is not, however, a guarantee of compensation or salary. Rather, salary will be set based on experience, geographic location and possibly contractual requirements and could fall outside of this range.

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

40

Travel Required:

None

Telecommuting Options:

Onsite

Work Location:

USA MD Annapolis Junction

Additional Work Locations:

USA CO Colorado Springs - 8610 Explorer Dr (COC036), USA DC Washington, USA FL MacDill AFB - 7115 S Boundary Blvd (FLC096), USA VA Springfield - 7770 Backlick Rd (VAS110)

Total Rewards at GDIT:

Our benefits package for all US-based employees includes a variety of medical plan options, some with Health Savings Accounts, dental plan options, a vision plan, and a 401(k) plan offering the ability to contribute both pre and post-tax dollars up to the IRS annual limits and receive a company match. To encourage work/life balance, GDIT offers employees full flex work weeks where possible and a variety of paid time off plans, including vacation, sick and personal time, holidays, paid parental, military, bereavement and jury duty leave. To ensure our employees are able to protect their income, other offerings such as short and long-term disability benefits, life, accidental death and dismemberment, personal accident, critical illness and business travel and accident insurance are provided or available. We regularly review our Total Rewards package to ensure our offerings are competitive and reflect what our employees have told us they value most.

Our Identity Verification Process:

As part of the hiring process, we will ask you to complete an identity verification process that leverages advanced biometrics and artificial intelligence to ensure authenticity and protect against identity fraud. You are expected to be on camera during virtual interviews. We reserve the right to take your picture to verify your identity and prevent fraud. By proceeding, you authorize the collection, processing, and use of your biometric data for identity verification and security purposes.

About Our Work:

We are GDIT. A global technology and professional services company that delivers technology solutions and mission services to every major agency across the U.S. government, defense and intelligence community. Our 26,000 experts extract the power of technology to create immediate value and deliver solutions at the edge of innovation. We operate across 50+ countries worldwide, offering leading mission-ready capabilities in AI, cloud, cyber and software development.Join our Talent Community to stay up to date on our career opportunities and events at

gdit.com/tc.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Individuals with Disabilities / Protected Veterans

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About General Dynamics Information Technology

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GDIT is a global technology and professional services company that delivers technology solutions and mission services to every major agency across the U.S. government, defense, and intelligence community. Its 30,000 experts extract the power of technology to create immediate value and deliver solutions at the edge of innovation. The company operates across 50+ countries worldwide, offering leading capabilities in digital modernization, AI/ML, cloud, cyber, and application development.

Industry

It services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Falls Church, VA, US

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