ZipRecruiter

Log In

2

Entry Level System Administrator Jobs in Washington

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 ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

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

Entry Level System Administrator information

See Washington salary details

$46.4K

$100.7K

$155.7K

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

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level system administrator in Washington is $100,719.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $79,300.00 and $117,800.00 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, and why are they important?

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 Washington? The most popular types of System Administrator jobs in Washington are:
What are popular job titles related to Entry Level System Administrator jobs in Washington? For Entry Level System Administrator jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Entry Level System Administrator jobs in Washington look for? The top searched job categories for Entry Level System Administrator jobs in Washington are:
What cities in Washington are hiring for Entry Level System Administrator jobs? Cities in Washington 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 Washington as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 11% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $100,719 per year, or $48.4 per hour.
System Administrator

System Administrator

Oceaneering International, Inc.

Suitland, MD • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 14 days ago

Oceaneering rating

6.8

Company rating: 6.8 out of 10

Based on 22 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

365th of 485 rated machine equipment manufacturers

Job description


Oceaneering International is seeking a Systems Administrator to partner on a large enterprise IT contract for the DOD. The Systems Administrator provides technical system administration and operations. This role maintains enterprise network infrastructure to ensure proper configuration, availability, performance, capacity, and maintenance (including application of the latest patches and upgrades). This role monitors technology obsolescence, manages upgrades, and evaluates alternatives across on-premises and IT infrastructures, both virtual and physical.
The qualified candidate will be a part of a small, agile, embedded team that provides on-site support to include system administration, network administration, information assurance, communication, and infrastructure. Embedded personnel are considered mission essential.
Responsibilities
This role is responsible for installation, configuration, administration, support, and maintenance of networks, including associated hardware. Duties include updating to new technologies, tuning performance, and prioritizing the implementation of critical system patches. This infrastructure includes on-premises.
ESSENTIAL
  • Develop, collaborate, and implement technical solutions.
  • Support customer requirements.
  • Develop and update technical solutions, operations, and maintenance documentation for personnel.
  • Data center support including racking and cabling diverse equipment.
  • Resolves network problems in cooperation with senior network engineers.
  • Troubleshoots problems using tools and routine procedures; escalates as appropriate.
  • Active Directory
    • Executes scheduled maintenance routines in accordance with standard procedures.
    • Interfaces with users and/or vendors.
    • Administer, maintain, and troubleshoot Microsoft Active Directory infrastructure, including user and group account management, OU structure, and Group Policy Objects (GPOs).
    • Monitor domain controllers, replication, and DNS configurations to ensure high availability and performance of the AD environment.
    • Implement and manage Group Policy to enforce security settings, software deployment, and user environment configurations.
    • Collaborate with Cyber teams to implement role-based access control (RBAC) to systems and network storage, administer account lifecycle management
  • System Administration
    • Plan, configure, and deploy Microsoft Windows Servers, Desktops, and Laptops, including installation, patch management, and baseline system configuration.
    • Implement standard configuration baselines and security settings on all deployed systems in line with organizational policies.
    • Implement and maintain system security baselines, including firewall settings, antivirus configurations, and user access controls aligned with organizational policies.
    • Provide post-deployment support including troubleshooting hardware/software issues and validating adherence to baseline configurations.
  • VMWare
    • Install, configure, and maintain VMware ESXi hosts and vCenter Server to ensure a stable and scalable virtualization infrastructure.
    • Monitor and manage virtual machines (VMs), including provisioning, cloning, migrating (vMotion), and resource allocation.
    • Perform regular updates, patches, and upgrades of ESXi hosts and related VMware tools to maintain security and performance.
  • Cisco Networking
    • Configure, deploy, and maintain Cisco switches, including Catalyst and Nexus series, to support enterprise network infrastructure.
    • Perform VLAN setup, trunking, and inter-VLAN routing to segment and optimize network traffic.
    • Configure and maintain security features such as port security, Access Control Lists (ACLs), and 802.1X authentication.
    • Manage switch stacking and link aggregation (EtherChannel) to enhance network bandwidth and resilience.
    • Document network configurations, topology changes, and maintain accurate inventory of hardware and software versions.
  • NetApp
    • Manage and maintain NetApp storage arrays, including configuration, provisioning, and monitoring of storage volumes and aggregates.
    • Configure and optimize storage protocols such as NFS, CIFS/SMB, iSCSI, and Fibre Channel for diverse client environments.
    • Implement data protection strategies including snapshots, replication (SnapMirror), and backups to ensure data availability and disaster recovery.
    • Troubleshoot storage-related issues, perform root cause analysis, and coordinate with vendor support for timely resolution.
    • Monitor system health, capacity utilization, and performance metrics.
  • Work independently and as a team member.
  • Individual contributor that works under limited supervision.
  • Determines approach to work, monitored / supervised based on key objective check-ins.
  • Lead assignments for specific job function or projects.
  • Lead entry level individual contributors to ensure the work completion as per set standards and procedures.

ADDITIONAL
  • Other duties as assigned.
  • Travel (~ two weeks annually)
  • Scheduled weekly hours: 40
  • Day shift - With occasional afterhours and weekends (< 3%)

Qualifications
REQUIRED
  • Must have 2-6 years of relevant experience with Associate's Degree in information technology, computer science. Equivalent work experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
  • Basic cybersecurity knowledge.
  • Work Environment - IT Infrastructure program, preferably a classified environment.
  • Oral and written communication for change procedures, and management updates.
  • Domain and expert technical knowledge.
  • Experience working independently on technical network activities in support of a client
  • Must have or be able to obtain a TS security clearance, be able to take/pass a polygraph, and be able to maintain both for the tenure of this position.
  • Position tenure ship is dependent on completing the full security clearance application process successfully within 1-2 years of accepting position.
  • Must have all required IT / Security certifications and maintain for the tenure of this position.
  • Must be a U.S. Citizen.

DESIRED
  • Technology: Prior experience in Storage, VMWare, System/Network Admin
  • Tools: NetApp
  • Industry: DoD or similar Federal Agency
  • Continuing Learner: Aware of industry changes, through associations, journals, media consumption etc.
  • Personal Growth - Individual activity pursuing or maintaining Microsoft certifications

We offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package. Employee benefits vary by role, however, may include Health and Wellness, Mental Health, Retirement Savings, Life and Disability, Paid Maternity and Parental Leave, Paid Time Off, Tuition Reimbursement, and an Employee Assistance Program.
Salary range for this position is $74,600 - $112,000
About Us
Oceaneering is a global provider of engineered services and products, primarily to the offshore energy industry. We develop products and services for use throughout the lifecycle of an offshore oilfield, from drilling to decommissioning. We operate the world's premier fleet of work class ROVs. Additionally, we are a leader in offshore oilfield maintenance services, umbilicals, subsea hardware, and tooling. We also use applied technology expertise to serve the defense, material handling, aerospace, science, and renewable energy industries.
Equal Opportunity Employer:
All qualified candidates will receive consideration for all positions without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or other non-merit factor.
About the Team
Oceaneering Aerospace and Defense Technologies (AdTech) delivers solutions that enable humans to work safely and effectively in harsh environments - from underwater to the outer reaches of space. Our innovative solutions support the development and application of practical, cost-effective systems that meet our customers' challenges - from routine to extreme. Our experience and expertise across multiple industries uniquely positions us as a leader in the government, space, and maritime services markets. Our products and services meet the rigorous demands of the complex environments in which they operate, delivering results without compromising safety or reliability.

What Oceaneering employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Apply