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System Administrator Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

The System Administrator is responsible for effective provisioning, installation/configuration, operation, and maintenance of systems hardware and software and related infrastructure. The System ...

Summary/Objective The system administrator provides support to critical systems to ensure computer systems are stable and available when needed. The position is responsible for maintaining current ...

System Administrator

Annapolis Junction, MD · On-site

$55.38 - $75.97/hr

As a system administrator on our team, you'll ensure the current infrastructure is functional and available. You'll help clients overcome tough challenges through monitoring and performance ...

System Administrator

Annapolis Junction, MD · On-site

$55.38 - $75.97/hr

As a system administrator on our team, you'll ensure the current infrastructure is functional and available. You'll help clients overcome tough challenges through monitoring and performance ...

System Administrator Location: Washington, D.C. (Onsite) Terms: Full-time Salary: 100,000 - 130,000 DOE Clearance: Active Top Secret with SCI eligibility Travel: Position Description We have an ...

System Administrator Location: Washington, D.C. (Onsite) Terms: Full-time Salary: 100,000 - 130,000 DOE Clearance: Active Top Secret with SCI eligibility Travel: Position Description We have an ...

System Administrator Location: Washington, D.C. (Onsite) Terms: Full-time Salary: 100,000 - 130,000 DOE Clearance: Active Top Secret with SCI eligibility Travel: Position Description We have an ...

System Administrator

Fort George G Meade, MD · On-site

$114K - $164K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Belay Technologies is seeking a System Administrator to join our intel team. This position is for System Administrator support for development and production environments for a mission critical ...

Showing results 41-60

System Administrator information

See Washington salary details

$46.4K

$100.7K

$155.7K

How much do system administrator jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average yearly pay for 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 a system administrator?

System Administrators, often called sysadmins, are IT professionals responsible for installing, configuring, maintaining, and supporting computer systems and servers within an organization. They ensure that networks and systems run efficiently and securely, manage user accounts, oversee backups, and troubleshoot hardware and software issues. System Administrators play a key role in maintaining system uptime, implementing security protocols, and updating systems to prevent vulnerabilities. Their work is critical for the smooth and secure operation of a company's IT infrastructure.

What does a system administrator do?

The job of a System Administrator is to assume a range of IT responsibilities and technical services for your company’s internet and intranet presence. This will include such duties as installing anti-virus and malware protection software, undertaking regular systems maintenance, and troubleshooting problems. Additional duties can include serving as a digital technology information resource for employees and consulting with company leaders on the possible adoption of new technologies. Aside from this, you might be asked to evaluate and boost network system performance, make needed upgrades and repairs, and add approved users to the network and train them in proper usage.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a system administrator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a System Administrator, you need a solid understanding of computer networks, operating systems (Windows, Linux), and troubleshooting, often backed by a degree in IT or related certifications like CompTIA Network+ or Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate. Familiarity with tools such as Active Directory, virtualization platforms, backup solutions, and monitoring systems is typically required. Strong problem-solving, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help you manage incidents and work with diverse teams. These abilities ensure reliable system performance, minimize downtime, and support seamless business operations.

What are some common challenges system administrators face when managing a large IT infrastructure, and how can these be addressed?

System Administrators often encounter challenges such as ensuring system security, managing software updates across numerous devices, and troubleshooting network issues in large-scale environments. Keeping up with rapidly evolving technology and balancing routine maintenance with unexpected incidents can be demanding. Effective solutions include automating repetitive tasks, implementing robust monitoring tools, and regularly communicating with other IT team members to proactively address potential problems. Continuous learning and staying current with best practices in cybersecurity and system management are also essential for long-term success in this role.

What is the difference between System Administrator vs Network Administrator?

AspectSystem AdministratorNetwork Administrator
CertificationsCompTIA Server+, Microsoft Certified: Windows Server FundamentalsCompTIA Network+, Cisco CCNA
Work EnvironmentManage servers, operating systems, and internal IT infrastructureFocus on network hardware, configurations, and connectivity
ResponsibilitiesMaintain servers, troubleshoot OS issues, manage backupsConfigure routers/switches, monitor network performance, ensure security

While both roles support IT infrastructure, System Administrators primarily manage servers and operating systems, whereas Network Administrators focus on network hardware and connectivity. They often collaborate but have distinct technical focuses within an organization.

How much do system administrators make?

System administrators typically earn a median annual salary of around $70,000 to $90,000, depending on experience, certifications, and location. Entry-level roles may start lower, while experienced administrators with specialized skills or certifications like CompTIA or Cisco can earn higher salaries. Salaries can also vary based on the size and industry of the organization.

How much is the salary of a system administrator?

The average salary of a system administrator varies by experience and location but typically ranges from $50,000 to $85,000 annually in the United States. Entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced administrators with certifications like CompTIA or Cisco can earn higher salaries, especially in larger organizations or tech hubs.

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 cities in Washington are hiring for System Administrator jobs?

Cities in Washington with the most System Administrator job openings:

Infographic showing various System Administrator job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 10% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 7% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $100,719 per year, or $48.4 per hour.

System Administrator

Open Systems Technologies Corporation

Annapolis Junction, MD • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 11 days ago


Job description

System Administrator (All Levels)

Network Engineers | Storage Engineers | Platform Engineers
Locations: Maryland and Utah
Clearance Required: Active TS/SCI with Polygraph
Citizenship: U.S. Citizenship Required

Position Overview

Open Systems Technologies Corporation (OST) is seeking System Administrators at all experience levels to support mission-critical operations in Maryland and Utah. These funded positions support high-performance computing (HPC) environments and mission operations sustainment activities, including monitoring, troubleshooting, maintenance, and optimization of complex Linux-based infrastructures.

We are seeking candidates with strong Linux administration skills and a passion for solving complex technical challenges. Whether your expertise is in platform engineering, networking, or storage systems, you will play a critical role in ensuring the reliability, performance, and availability of mission-essential environments.

Responsibilities

  • Monitor, maintain, and troubleshoot mission operations systems and infrastructure.
  • Install, configure, and administer Linux operating systems and applications.
  • Configure and manage file systems, networking services, and system resources.
  • Perform operating system and application troubleshooting in complex environments.
  • Develop and maintain Bash scripts to automate administrative tasks.
  • Compile, install, configure, and support software applications.
  • Support infrastructure automation and configuration management initiatives.
  • Collaborate with engineering and operations teams to resolve system issues and improve performance.
  • Document configurations, procedures, and troubleshooting processes.
  • Participate in system upgrades, maintenance activities, and operational support.

Note: Regardless of specialization, all team members are expected to perform core Linux system administration functions and contribute to overall system sustainment efforts.

Required Qualifications

  • Active TS/SCI with Polygraph security clearance.
  • U.S. Citizenship.
  • Experience administering Linux operating systems, including:
    • Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)
    • CentOS
    • Rocky Linux
    • SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES)
    • Ubuntu
  • Experience with:
    • Linux installation and configuration
    • File system administration
    • TCP/IP networking
    • Operating system troubleshooting
    • Application troubleshooting
    • Bash scripting
    • Software compilation and installation
  • Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills.
  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively in dynamic mission environments.

Desired Qualifications

  • Understanding of High-Performance Computing (HPC) architectures.
  • Experience supporting large-scale enterprise or mission-critical environments.
  • Knowledge of high-speed networking technologies including:
    • InfiniBand
    • Slingshot
  • Experience with:
    • Jira
    • Confluence
    • Grafana
    • Prometheus
    • Nagios
    • Slurm
    • Git
    • Salt
    • Ansible

Storage & Network Engineering Preferred Experience

Candidates with storage, networking, or infrastructure engineering backgrounds are highly encouraged to apply.

Storage Technologies

  • Lustre file system configuration, administration, and troubleshooting.
  • Experience with DDN Exascaler file system appliances.
  • Storage fabric design, implementation, and support.
  • Storage performance tuning and optimization.

Networking Technologies

  • TCP/IP networking and storage networking concepts.
  • Experience with enterprise routing and switching platforms, including:
    • Cisco
    • Juniper
    • Arista

Emerging Technologies

Experience or interest in learning:

  • E1000 Storage Systems
  • Elastic Storage Nodes (ESNs)
  • DAOS (Distributed Asynchronous Object Storage)
  • Weka Data Platform

Performance and Benchmarking Tools

Experience with one or more of the following:

  • IOR
  • iperf
  • FIO
  • lnet_selftest

What We're Looking For

Successful candidates are naturally curious problem-solvers who enjoy working in complex environments and continuously expanding their technical expertise. Our environments are highly customized, and effective troubleshooting often requires creativity, critical thinking, and a willingness to investigate beyond standard solutions.

We value professionals who:

  • Demonstrate initiative and ownership.
  • Thrive in collaborative environments.
  • Enjoy learning new technologies.
  • Have a strong commitment to mission success.
  • Possess excellent troubleshooting and analytical skills.

Benefits

OST has been providing mission-critical support to Government agencies since 1996 and offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

  • 3 Weeks Paid Time Off
  • 11 Federal Holidays
  • Medical and Dental Coverage
  • Short-Term Disability (STD)
  • Long-Term Disability (LTD)
  • Life Insurance
  • Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Coverage
  • 401(k) with up to 4% Company Match

About OST

Open Systems Technologies Corporation (OST) is an Equal Opportunity Employer dedicated to delivering innovative technology solutions and exceptional support to Government customers. We foster a culture of technical excellence, continuous learning, and professional growth while supporting some of the nation's most critical missions.