ZipRecruiter

Log In

2

Entry Level Linux System Administrator Jobs in Kentucky

360care

IT Junior DevOps Engineer

Louisville, KY · On-site

$50.75 - $69.50/hr

Collaborate with software developers, system administrators, database administrators, and network ... Technical foundation on either side of the DevOps discipline - systems administration (Linux and/or ...

Flexential

Incident Response Analyst I

Louisville, KY · Hybrid

$24 - $27/hr

High paced work environment, where our system administrators will need to prioritize workloads ... Linux (or other *nix platforms) * VLAN's, ACL's, IP subnets * Networking and Switching concepts

Aerotek

Maintenance Technician

Elizabethtown, KY

$60K - $65K/yr

This is an entry-level role ideal for candidates looking to start immediately. The position ... Use handheld scanners or basic inventory systems (training provided) * Maintain cleanliness and ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsLinux System Administrator JobsEntry Level Linux System Administrator JobsEntry Level Linux System Administrator Jobs in Kentucky

Entry Level Linux System Administrator information

See Kentucky salary details

$17

$45

$65

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

As of Jul 21, 2026, the average hourly pay for entry level linux system administrator in Kentucky is $45.13, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $35.72 and $54.28 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What Does an Entry-Level Linux System Administrator Do?

An entry-level Linux system administrator focuses on the maintenance and optimization of the network of an organization or business running on the Linux operating system. Your primary duties in this career involve maintaining software instead of hardware. Your responsibilities also include keeping it up to date with the latest updates and ensuring its security against hackers. Training new users is often a part of your job as well. Individuals in this position provide support to a senior team member and technical help for others. Opportunities exist in a myriad of industries.

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

AspectEntry Level Linux System AdministratorLinux Support Technician
CertificationsLinux+, LPIC-1Linux+, CompTIA A+
Work EnvironmentData centers, server rooms, cloud environmentsHelp desks, technical support centers
ResponsibilitiesServer setup, maintenance, user managementIssue troubleshooting, user support, software installation
Industry UsageIT companies, hosting providers, cloud services

The Entry Level Linux System Administrator focuses on managing Linux servers and infrastructure, while the Linux Support Technician primarily handles end-user support and troubleshooting. Both roles require similar certifications but differ in daily tasks and work environments, with the administrator working more on backend systems and the technician providing front-line support.

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

To thrive as an Entry Level Linux System Administrator, you need a solid understanding of Linux operating systems, basic networking, and scripting fundamentals, typically backed by a relevant degree or coursework. Familiarity with command-line interfaces, shell scripting, and tools like SSH, as well as certifications such as CompTIA Linux+ or LPIC-1, are highly valuable. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and the ability to communicate technical information clearly help you excel in this role. These skills ensure reliable system performance, efficient troubleshooting, and effective collaboration in IT environments.

What does an Entry Level Linux System Administrator do?

An Entry Level Linux System Administrator is responsible for maintaining, configuring, and supporting Linux-based servers and systems. Their tasks typically include monitoring system performance, installing updates and patches, managing user accounts, and troubleshooting technical issues. They work closely with other IT staff to ensure that systems are secure, stable, and optimized for performance. This role usually serves as a starting point for those pursuing a career in system administration or IT infrastructure management.

What are some typical challenges faced by entry level Linux system administrators, and how can they prepare for them?

Entry level Linux system administrators often face challenges such as troubleshooting unfamiliar issues, managing time effectively during multiple support requests, and understanding the complexities of different Linux distributions. To prepare, it's helpful to build a strong foundation in command-line tools, practice reading system logs, and familiarize yourself with common administrative tasks like user management and system updates. Collaborating with more experienced team members and actively participating in documentation and knowledge sharing can also accelerate learning and confidence in the role.
More about Entry Level Linux System Administrator jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Linux System Administrator jobs in Kentucky? The most popular types of Linux System Administrator jobs in Kentucky are:
What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Linux System Administrator jobs in Kentucky? For Entry Level Linux System Administrator jobs in Kentucky, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Entry Level Linux System Administrator jobs in Kentucky look for? The top searched job categories for Entry Level Linux System Administrator jobs in Kentucky are:
What cities in Kentucky are hiring for Entry Level Linux System Administrator jobs? Cities in Kentucky with the most Entry Level Linux System Administrator job openings:
Entry Level Linux System Administrator jobs near you
Systems Administrator

Systems Administrator

Murray State University

Murray, KY • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 12 days ago

Murray State University rating

5.5

Company rating: 5.5 out of 10

Based on 13 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

534th of 555 rated colleges and universities

Job description

Job Details
Position Information
Posting Number
20260048EX
Job Title
Systems Administrator
Number of Vacancies
1
About Murray State
Located in the West Kentucky region, Murray State University is a public, comprehensive University which offers a low cost of living, low property taxes, and a four-season climate. Murray has a friendly, small-town atmosphere with locally-owned specialty shops and restaurants, an acclaimed community theater, art guild and award-winning public schools. The area is home to Kentucky Lake and Land Between the Lakes, a 170,000-acre National Recreation Area, which offers a wide-range of activities and amenities for residents and visitors alike. Located in close proximity to major cities and nearby access to Interstate 24, Murray is just a few hours from Nashville, St. Louis, Louisville and Memphis. Learn more about Careers at Murray State University.
About Murray State Benefits
Faculty and staff of Murray State University have access to a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, retirement, tuition waivers, generous paid holidays, vacation, sick, and paid parental leave, as well as many other benefit offerings. Please refer to the Murray State Benefits page for more information.
Equal Opportunity Employment
Equal Opportunity Employer/AA. Murray State University does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, gender, identity, sexual orientation, religion, age, veteran status, disability or political or social viewpoint. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.
Type of Employment
Regular Full-Time
If Part Time, Enter Hours Per Week
Work Location
Murray, KY
Employment Term
12 Months
Position Type
Staff - Exempt (Monthly)
Department
Systems Administration
Summary of Job Duties and Responsibilities
Reporting to the Director of Systems Administration, the Systems Administrator assists the team in maintaining, upgrading and securing multiple data centers between on-prem and cloud services, to support enterprise computing, storage, data integrity and backup infrastructure and services.
  • Deploy, support and maintain Windows, Linux and Unix virtual and physical environments.
  • Patch and maintain the enterprise virtualization infrastructure. Monitor cluster resource utilization to ensure high availability and performance. Coordinate with networking administrators to configure virtual networking and VLAN assignments.
  • Active Directory (AD/Entra), Group Policies (GPOs), LAPS and core domain server upgrades and patching. Implement, coordinate and communicate AD hygiene best practices.
  • Execute the patching lifestyle for all servers and core infrastructure for vulnerability mitigation.
  • Monitor and manage enterprise storage arrays (SAN/NAS). Oversee the daily backup and replication schedules, verify backup integrity, and participate in regular Disaster Recovery exercises.
  • Administer, setup and maintain network file shares across NFS and CIFS environments. Troubleshoot access issues, manage quotas, and ensure data classification compliance.
  • Utilize and maintain enterprise monitoring tools to track system performance, incidents and communicate to system stakeholders for proactive mitigation. Install endpoint monitoring and detection agents and maintain detection rules for servers. Assist and respond to system incidents.
  • Maintain the back-end VDI infrastructure through patching and upgrades.
  • Act as a liaison between vendors, technical personnel and end users, utilizing internal ticketing and vendor support sites as necessary. Provide technical support to vendors and end users as appropriate.
  • Assist in installation and care of physical hardware within data centers. Rack and relocate servers and blades.
  • Understanding of SSL/TLS certificate request and installation to secure endpoints. Monitor certificate expiration timelines.
  • Demonstrable knowledge of scripting and automation techniques (i.e. Powershell, Bash, Ansible).
  • Basic understanding of networking fundamentals, firewalls and secure access principles.
  • Demonstrated understanding in system monitoring, auditing, alerting, and troubleshooting practices.
  • Develop and maintain technical system documentation and procedures.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Education Requirements
  • Bachelor's Degree required.

Minimum Experience and Skill Requirements
  • One year of experience as a Windows and/or Linux Systems administrator within a virtual environment is required.
  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
  • Ability to learn new technologies and adapt to change.
  • Excellent troubleshooting, communication, documentation, and organizational skills.

Preferred Education and/or Experience Qualifications
  • Degree in computer-related field preferred.

Physical Demands
  • Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.

Work Hours
  • Normal business hours.
  • Will be required to participate in an on-call rotation and schedule maintenance windows outside of normal business hours as needed.

Hourly Rate/Annual Salary
$50,878 (grade minimum) -$66,560 (grade midpoint). Final salary will be dependent upon applicant's qualifications.
Staff Grade
114
Posting Details
Posting Date
07/09/2026
Closing Date
07/30/2026
Open Until Filled
No
Special Instructions to Applicants
This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.
Along with the application, the following items must be included:
  • Letter of application
  • Resume

What Murray State University employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Apply