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Entry Level Linux Administrator Jobs in Colorado

Entry Level Linux Administrator information

See Colorado salary details

$10

$53

$81

How much do entry level linux administrator jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 10, 2026, the average hourly pay for entry level linux administrator in Colorado is $53.86, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $44.23 and $62.45 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some typical challenges an Entry Level Linux Administrator may encounter in their first year on the job?

Entry Level Linux Administrators often face challenges such as adapting to a fast-paced environment, managing multiple support tickets, and learning to troubleshoot a wide variety of system issues. Gaining proficiency with command-line tools, scripting, and remote server management can be daunting at first, but these skills are essential for daily tasks. Additionally, newcomers may need time to become familiar with the organization's specific infrastructure and security protocols, but collaborating with experienced team members can help ease this transition.

What does an Entry Level Linux Administrator do?

An Entry Level Linux Administrator is responsible for assisting in the installation, configuration, and maintenance of Linux-based systems. They help monitor system performance, apply updates and patches, manage user accounts, and ensure system security. Their role often involves troubleshooting basic issues, supporting other IT staff, and learning advanced administration tasks. This position is ideal for those starting their career in system administration and looking to build a solid foundation in Linux environments.

What is the difference between Entry Level Linux Administrator vs Network Support Technician?

AspectEntry Level Linux AdministratorNetwork Support Technician
Required CertificationsLinux+, CompTIA A+CompTIA Network+, A+
Work EnvironmentData centers, server rooms, IT departmentsHelp desks, network operations centers, client sites
Employer & Industry UsageTech companies, hosting providers, enterprisesTelecom, ISPs, corporate IT support
Common Search/ComparisonYesYes

The Entry Level Linux Administrator primarily manages Linux servers, focusing on system setup, maintenance, and troubleshooting within data centers or enterprise environments. In contrast, a Network Support Technician handles network hardware, connectivity issues, and basic troubleshooting across various network infrastructures. While both roles require foundational IT certifications and support similar industries, the Linux Administrator specializes in server OS management, whereas the Network Support Technician focuses on network hardware and connectivity issues.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Entry Level Linux Administrator, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Linux Administrator, you need a foundational understanding of Linux operating systems, basic networking, and troubleshooting, often supported by a relevant degree or coursework. Familiarity with command-line tools, shell scripting, and knowledge of systems like Red Hat, Ubuntu, or CentOS—as well as certifications such as CompTIA Linux+ or LPIC-1—are typically required. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication help you collaborate and respond to system issues efficiently. These skills are crucial for ensuring system reliability, security, and smooth operation in IT environments.
What are the most commonly searched types of Linux Administrator jobs in Colorado? The most popular types of Linux Administrator jobs in Colorado are:
What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Linux Administrator jobs in Colorado? For Entry Level Linux Administrator jobs in Colorado, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Entry Level Linux Administrator jobs in Colorado look for? The top searched job categories for Entry Level Linux Administrator jobs in Colorado are:
What cities in Colorado are hiring for Entry Level Linux Administrator jobs? Cities in Colorado with the most Entry Level Linux Administrator job openings:
IT Systems Administrator 2

Other

Retirement, PTO

Posted 6 days ago


Job description

Requisition ID: 1695

Standard Weekly Hours: 40.00 

Location: ULA - Denver, ULA - Cape Canaveral, ULA - Decatur, ULA - Vandenberg AFB 

Relocation: No 

Travel Requirements: 10% 

At ULA, success comes through the efforts of a strong, united team.

Thanks for your interest in United Launch Alliance, the world's most experienced and reliable space launch company! Successfully launching more than 155 consecutive missions with 100% mission success doesn't happen by accident. It's a testament to the commitment and dedication of our team of rocket scientists and support employees combined with the systems and processes we use to pull them together. As a ULA employee, you'll have the opportunity to grow in your career while working in a team-oriented culture that combines technology, innovation, ingenuity and a commitment to the extraordinary. Whether you are in college just launching your career, or, have experience and want to come work with the best rocket team in the world, our unshakable unity yields stronger solutions and better results as we carry out our mission to save lives, explore the universe, and connect the world. Our team is excited to meet you!

Job Overview & Responsibilities

At ULA the System Administrator 2 - Linux is an entry-level to early-career role responsible for supporting the day-to-day administration, maintenance, monitoring, and troubleshooting of Linux systems in a production enterprise environment. This position works under the guidance of senior engineers and architects to help keep infrastructure stable, secure, and operational.

The role includes supporting Linux servers, assisting with patching and upgrades, monitoring system health, reviewing logs, managing user access, documenting work, and helping resolve operational issues. The ideal candidate brings strong foundational Linux skills, a willingness to learn, and a professional, team-oriented approach to day-to-day infrastructure support. Experience with HPC environments is helpful, but Linux administration remains the primary focus.

  • Support the administration, maintenance, and day-to-day operation of Linux servers and related infrastructure.
  • Monitor system health, availability, scheduled jobs, and basic performance indicators, and escalate issues as appropriate.
  • Review system and application logs to identify errors, failures, or abnormal conditions.
  • Assist with patching, upgrades, system maintenance, and routine operational tasks.
  • Help manage user accounts, permissions, and access controls in accordance with team processes.
  • Support backup verification, recovery tasks, and operational checks.
  • Troubleshoot basic to intermediate Linux system issues and work with senior team members on more complex problems.
  • Document system changes, procedures, troubleshooting steps, and operational activities.
  • Participate in incident response, support escalations, and team operating rhythms such as status meetings or daily tag-ups.
  • Assist with automation, scripting, or repeatable operational tasks where appropriate.
  • Partner with teammates across infrastructure, network, security, and support teams to resolve issues and improve service reliability.
  • Provide support for HPC-related systems or workloads when assigned, under guidance from senior staff.

Required Education

Bachelor

Required Years of Experience

Minimum of 2 years of related work experience

Basic Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) field from an accredited college or university
Foundational Linux administration skills (e.g., users, permissions, services, storage, patching, logs, monitoring) 
Experience with Linux CLI and common distributions (e.g., RHEL, Rocky, AlmaLinux, Ubuntu) 
Basic troubleshooting skills and ability to follow procedures and escalation paths 
Understanding of system operations: monitoring, backups, scheduled jobs, and server health 
Basic knowledge of networking, storage, and security concepts in Linux environments 
Ability to perform routine admin tasks with guidance and document work clearly 
Strong communication skills (written and verbal) 
Detail-oriented, dependable, and able to follow processes 
Team-oriented with willingness to learn and take feedback 
Sound judgment on when to troubleshoot independently vs. escalate
Ability to obtain and maintain active DoD TS/SCI is required. US citizenship is required.

Preferred Qualifications

Hands-on Linux experience (internships, coursework, homelab, or prior roles) 
Familiarity with enterprise Linux (e.g., RHEL or similar) and package/service management 
Basic scripting or automation experience (Bash, Python, or similar) 
Exposure to enterprise tools (monitoring, ticketing, documentation, change management) 
Familiarity with virtualization, cloud, or storage platforms 
Exposure to HPC or clustered environments is a plus 
Entry-level certification (RHCSA, Linux+, or similar) is a plus 
Exposure to scripting/automation (Bash, Python, Ansible) is a plus 
Familiarity with virtualization, cloud, or HPC environments is a plus
Understanding of core admin tasks (users/groups, permissions, storage, log analysis, backups) 
Exposure to configuration management or automation concepts 
Organized, dependable, and able to manage multiple tasks 
Collaborative, professional, and patient when supporting others

Summary Salary Range ULA - Denver:  $81,695.00 - $136,159.00 

Summary Salary Range for ULA - Vandenberg AFB: $81,608 - $136,013 

Please note that the salary information shown above is a general guideline only. Salaries are based upon a candidate's experience and qualifications, as well as internal equity, market and business considerations. Employees may be eligible for a discretionary annual bonus in addition to base pay. 

What makes ULA different?

Because we understand launch success comes through the collective efforts of a team, we seek the best to join us. We value ethics, ingenuity, engagement and professional development for employees at all levels.

We offer our employees competitive pay and benefits including:

  • 401(k) match plus an additional employer contribution
  • Discretionary annual incentive bonus for eligible employees
  • Generous paid time off
  • Flexible work environments

Additionally, most salaried ULA team members work a "9/80 schedule," meaning they enjoy every other Friday off.

Benefits and work schedules may vary for union-represented hourly positions and are described in the applicable collective bargaining agreement.

The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.

Security Clearance / International Traffic In Arms Regulations (ITAR). This position requires use of information which is subject to the International Traffic In Arms Regulations (ITAR). Therefore, all applicants must be U.S. Persons as defined in ITAR 22 CFR 120.62 (e.g., U.S. Citizen, Lawful Permanent Resident (Green Card holder) or protected individual. See 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(20) and 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) for additional information).

ULA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment.

ULA is a participant in the federal E-Verify Program. Posters in PDF format pertaining to this program can be accessed by clicking on the links identified below. E-Verify Participation poster (English / Spanish) and Right to Work Poster (English / Spanish).

Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act requires covered employees to follow a post selection notification process. A hired candidate may opt out of this process by notifying the hiring manager in writing at the time the offer is accepted