ZipRecruiter

Log In

2

Entry Level System Administrator Jobs in Virginia

Maximus

Junior ICAM System Administrator

VA · On-site +1

The Jr. ICAM System Administrator provides entry-level operational support for Identity, Credential, and Access Management (ICAM) services supporting enterprise systems. This role operates within a ...

Peraton

Systems Administrator Advisor, Shift 2

Herndon, VA · On-site

$86K - $138K/yr

Responsibilities Peraton is seeking an entry level Systems Administrator (Shift 2) to join our national intelligence program that delivers engineering, application development, deployment, operations ...

Peraton

Systems Administrator Advisor, Shift 2

Herndon, VA · On-site

$86K - $138K/yr

Responsibilities Peraton is seeking an entry level Systems Administrator (Shift 2) to join our national intelligence program that delivers engineering, application development, deployment, operations ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsSystem Administrator JobsEntry Level System Administrator JobsEntry Level System Administrator Jobs in Virginia

Entry Level System Administrator information

See Virginia salary details

$40.6K

$88.2K

$136.3K

How much do entry level system administrator jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level system administrator in Virginia is $88,164.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $69,400.00 and $103,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an entry level system administrator?

An Entry Level System Administrator is a professional responsible for maintaining, troubleshooting, and supporting the IT infrastructure of an organization. They typically handle basic system monitoring, user account setup, software and hardware installations, and routine maintenance tasks under the supervision of more experienced administrators. This role is ideal for individuals starting their careers in IT, as it provides hands-on experience with servers, networks, and security protocols. Entry level system administrators also help ensure that systems run smoothly and efficiently, minimizing downtime for users.

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

AspectEntry Level System AdministratorNetwork Technician
CertificationsCompTIA A+, Network+ (preferred)CompTIA A+, Network+ (preferred)
Work EnvironmentManaging servers, networks, and IT infrastructureInstalling, troubleshooting, and maintaining network hardware
Employer UsageIT departments across various industriesTelecom, ISPs, corporate IT support

Both roles often require similar certifications and work in IT environments, but Entry Level System Administrators focus on managing overall systems and servers, while Network Technicians specialize in network hardware and connectivity issues. The roles are complementary and often overlap in entry-level IT support settings.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an entry level system administrator?

To thrive as an Entry Level System Administrator, you need a solid understanding of computer networks, operating systems like Windows and Linux, and basic IT troubleshooting skills, often supported by a relevant degree or certifications such as CompTIA A+ or Network+. Familiarity with system monitoring tools, Active Directory, and ticketing systems is typically required. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication help you excel in supporting end-users and collaborating with IT teams. These skills are crucial for maintaining system uptime, resolving technical issues efficiently, and ensuring secure, reliable IT operations.

What are some common challenges faced by entry level system administrators in their first year on the job?

Entry level system administrators often encounter challenges such as managing time effectively while responding to multiple support tickets, learning to navigate complex IT environments with diverse hardware and software, and keeping up with documentation requirements. Additionally, adapting to on-call rotations and troubleshooting unfamiliar problems can be demanding. However, these challenges are valuable learning opportunities and are typically supported by more experienced team members, which helps new admins build technical confidence and collaborative skills.
What are the most commonly searched types of System Administrator jobs in Virginia? The most popular types of System Administrator jobs in Virginia are:
What are popular job titles related to Entry Level System Administrator jobs in Virginia? For Entry Level System Administrator jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Entry Level System Administrator jobs in Virginia look for? The top searched job categories for Entry Level System Administrator jobs in Virginia are:
What cities in Virginia are hiring for Entry Level System Administrator jobs? Cities in Virginia with the most Entry Level System Administrator job openings:
Entry Level System Administrator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level System Administrator job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 85% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $88,164 per year, or $42.4 per hour.

System Administrator Junior

ASM Research

Arlington, VA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 14 days ago

ASM Research rating

8.6

Company rating: 8.6 out of 10

Based on 14 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

32nd of 223 rated it services

Job description

The System Administrator Junior supports the daily administration, maintenance, security, and availability of mission-critical IT infrastructure in a highly regulated government environment, with a focus on user account management and core server operations. This role performs routine configuration, patching, monitoring, backup verification, and troubleshooting under established procedures while maintaining accurate system documentation and contributing to after-hours support as required.
The administrator uses scripting and automation tools to streamline recurring administrative activities, assists in identifying performance or security anomalies, and applies approved security baselines and hardening standards across Windows and Linux systems.
Key Responsibilities
  • Administer user accounts, group memberships, permissions, and role-based access controls in alignment with approved security and operational policies.
  • Perform routine installation, configuration, patching, and health monitoring of Windows and/or Linux servers and associated infrastructure components.
  • Monitor event logs, performance metrics, storage utilization, system services, and alerts to identify operational or security issues and escalate per established procedures.
  • Execute documented backup, restoration, and recovery procedures, verifying that scheduled backup jobs complete successfully and resolving exceptions.
  • Troubleshoot common server, operating system, application, hardware, connectivity, and authentication problems using standard diagnostic methods and tools.
  • Develop and maintain basic PowerShell, Bash, or comparable scripts to automate account management, reporting, system health checks, and other repeatable tasks.
  • Maintain configuration records, operating procedures, troubleshooting guides, asset inventories, and change documentation to support audit and operational needs.
  • Apply system-hardening standards, vulnerability remediation instructions, least-privilege principles, and approved configuration baselines across supported systems.

Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or related field, or equivalent relevant experience consistent with entry-level IT administrator roles.
  • 0-3 years of hands-on experience in information technology, systems administration, infrastructure support, or closely related technical roles, with at least 1-3 years preferred for this environment.
  • Strong knowledge of Microsoft operating systems and products (e.g., Windows, Windows Server, Microsoft 365, Teams, SharePoint) and basic familiarity with Linux administration.
  • Demonstrated ability to analyze, troubleshoot, and resolve routine system hardware, software, or networking problems and follow escalation protocols for complex issues.
  • Ability to plan and coordinate deployment of updates or new technology in accordance with change management procedures and maintenance windows.
  • Must have a current TS/SCI clearance.
  • Must have a DoD 8140 compliant certification for IAT-II such as Security+.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Microsoft Windows Server, Azure, Linux, or comparable platform certification.
  • Experience with cloud infrastructure, digital workspace, and storage technologies in an enterprise or federal IT environment.
  • Familiarity with system hardening, vulnerability remediation, and least-privilege access control practices.

Compensation Ranges
Compensation ranges for ASM Research positions vary depending on multiple factors; including but not limited to, location, skill set, level of education, certifications, client requirements, contract-specific affordability, government clearance and investigation level, and years of experience. The compensation displayed for this role is a general guideline based on these factors and is unique to each role. Monetary compensation is one component of ASM's overall compensation and benefits package for employees.
EEO Requirements
It is the policy of ASM that an individual's race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation or national origin are not and will not be considered in any personnel or management decisions. We affirm our commitment to these fundamental policies.
All recruiting, hiring, training, and promoting for all job classifications is done without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, or age. All decisions on employment are made to abide by the principle of equal employment.
Physical Requirements
The physical requirements described in "Knowledge, Skills and Abilities" above are representative of those which must be met by an employee to successfully perform the primary functions of this job. (For example, "light office duties' or "lifting up to 50 pounds" or "some travel" required.) Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with qualifying disabilities, who are otherwise qualified, to perform the primary functions.
Disclaimer
The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.

What ASM Research employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Apply