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Systems Administrator Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Morfologica

Systems Administrator

Reston, VA

Morfologica, Inc. is seeking several Systems Administrators to work at various Federal Facilities throughout Northern Virginia. Multiple positions are available at different sites. ONLY CANDIDATES ...

Tecolote Research

Systems Administrator

Arlington, VA · On-site

$70K - $110K/yr

Overview We are seeking a Systems Administrator to support the Cost Assessment Data Enterprise (CADE) office on-site at The Pentagon. The ideal candidate is a bright, energetic, customer service ...

Na Oiwi Kane

Systems Administrator

Washington, DC · On-site

The Systems Administrator provides Tier 1 and Tier 2 support, participates in RMF lifecycle activities, implements STIGs and security controls, and works closely with cybersecurity teams to maintain ...

GDIT

Systems Administrator

Fort George G Meade, MD · On-site

As a Systems Administrator you will help ensure today is safe and tomorrow is smarter. Our work depends on TS/SCI cleared Systems Administrator joining our team to support our intelligence customer ...

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$46.4K

$100.7K

$155.7K

How much do systems administrator jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 24, 2026, the average yearly pay for systems 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 systems administrator?

Systems Administrators, often called SysAdmins, are IT professionals responsible for managing, maintaining, and supporting computer systems and networks within an organization. Their duties include installing hardware and software, monitoring system performance, troubleshooting technical issues, and ensuring system security and data integrity. They play a key role in minimizing downtime, performing regular backups, and updating systems to keep an organization's IT infrastructure running smoothly.

What does a systems administrator do?

The primary duties of a system administrator are to install, update, and maintain computer systems while managing user access regimes. As a systems administrator, you have administrative privileges to change settings, install or remove software, and access security functions unavailable to normal users. A systems administrator might oversee multiple machines at once, or even an entire network. You provide technical support to users who are experiencing problems and collaborate with network administrators to ensure the continued performance of the network. As a systems administrator, you determine the level of access a user has to network information and what operations they can perform, limiting users to only what they need to perform their job.

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

To thrive as a Systems Administrator, you need a solid understanding of operating systems, network management, and security protocols, typically supported by a relevant degree or certifications like CompTIA Network+, Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA), or Linux+. Familiarity with tools such as Active Directory, virtualization platforms, and configuration management systems is essential. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help you respond quickly to issues and work collaboratively with IT teams. These skills and qualifications are crucial for maintaining system reliability, minimizing downtime, and ensuring secure, efficient IT operations.

What are some typical challenges a systems administrator faces when managing both on-premises and cloud infrastructure?

Systems Administrators often juggle responsibilities across on-premises servers and cloud-based platforms, which can introduce challenges such as ensuring seamless integration, maintaining consistent security policies, and managing access controls. Balancing updates, backups, and monitoring tools across different environments requires strong organizational skills and up-to-date technical knowledge. Effective communication with other IT team members and end users is also crucial for troubleshooting and minimizing downtime.

What is the difference between Systems Administrator vs Network Administrator?

AspectSystems AdministratorNetwork Administrator
CertificationsCompTIA Server+, Microsoft Certified: Windows Server FundamentalsCompTIA Network+, Cisco CCNA
Work EnvironmentManage servers, operating systems, and enterprise applicationsFocus on network infrastructure, routers, switches, and connectivity
Employer & Industry UsageIT departments across various industries, supporting internal systemsOrganizations with complex networks, telecom, and internet service providers

While both roles support IT infrastructure, Systems Administrators primarily manage servers and software systems, whereas Network Administrators focus on network hardware and connectivity. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right career path or job focus within IT.

More about Systems Administrator jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Systems Administrator jobs in Washington?

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What cities in Washington are hiring for Systems Administrator jobs?

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Systems Administrator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Systems Administrator job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 75% Full Time, and 25% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $100,719 per year, or $48.4 per hour.

Systems Administrator

Alexandria, VA

Systems Planning and Analysis
Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing • 1 - 5K employees
Learn more about Systems Planning and Analysisexternal

$105K - $125K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement

Re-posted 10 days ago

Job description

Overview

Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc. (SPA) delivers high-impact, technical solutions to complex national security issues. With over 50 years of business expertise and consistent growth, we are known for continuous innovation for our government customers, in both the US and abroad. Our exceptionally talented team is highly collaborative in spirit and practice, producing Results that Matter. Come work with the best! We offer opportunity, unique challenges, and clear-sighted commitment to the mission. SPA: Objective. Responsive. Trusted.  

The Classified Operations team under SPA's Information Technology department establishes and maintains the security posture of classified infrastructure required by our analysts to deliver timely, objective, and cost-effective analysis.

SPA has an immediate need for a Classified System Administrator. 

Responsibilities

The System Administrator implements technical controls to support the Cybersecurity Program, which ensures secure operations in network and computing environments at various classification levels. The System Administrator is also responsible for providing mentorship and guidance for junior system administrators troubleshooting and performing end-user support services for classified systems. In this role, you will report to the Operations Manager while designing, building, installing and configuring physical and virtual servers/systems, virus updates, patching, maintenance, and performance tuning. As the System Administrator, you will be expected to collaborate with team members to develop creative, secure, and innovative solutions for complex technical issues. You will also support Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) Technical Reviews and Command Cybersecurity Readiness Inspections (CCRI) as the subject matter expert for systems administration.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's degree in an Information Technology related field or equivalent work experience and certifications.
  • Minimum of five (5) years system administration experience with two (2) or more years direct experience administrating networked classified systems in a Windows / Active Directory environment.
  • Must meet Department of Defense 8140 certification requirements at IAT Level II.  Acceptable certifications include Security+ CE, CCNA Security, CySA+, GISCP, and GSEC.
  • Experience configuring systems for compliance using Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) Security Technical Implementation Guides (STIGs) and STIG Viewer.
  • Expertise managing Microsoft Domains and Domain Services (AD, DNS, DHCP, File Services, GPOs, etc.).
  • Experience managing Microsoft Exchange 2016/2019 including system configuration, hardening, and patching.
  • Experience administering and patching RHEL 9 syslog servers.
  • Experience evaluating Information System security posture by evaluating STIGs and identifying and remediating vulnerabilities.
  • Ability to exercise independent judgement and manage a team of up to six (6) system administrators with varying levels of expertise.
  • Superior problem solving and time management capabilities.
  • Excellent customer relations and customer support skills.
  • Active DoD Top Secret security clearance.

Desired Qualifications: 

  • Experience validating system compliance using the Security Content Automation Protocol (SCAP) Validation Tool and Evaluate STIG (E-STIG).
  • Experience using WSUS / IVANTI to manage updates and patches.
  • Experience using VMWare virtualization technologies including ESXi, vCenter, and vSphere.
Pay Range InformationAt SPA, we strive to deliver a robust total compensation package that will attract and retain top talent. Elements of the compensation package include competitive base pay and variable compensation opportunities. SPA provides eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including health insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life and disability insurance programs, and a number of programs that provide for both paid and unpaid time away from work. The specific programs and options available to any given employee may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, etc. Please note that the salary information shown below is a general guideline only. Salaries are commensurate with experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations. Virginia, Pay Transparency Salary range: USD $105,000.00/Yr. - USD $125,000.00/Yr.Employment Type: FULL_TIME

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