What does a Systems Administrator do?
A systems administrator works across Windows Server/Linux (RHEL/Ubuntu), VMware/Hyper-V, Active Directory to build and maintain systems in devops & cloud. Day-to-day, you'll be writing code, reviewing pull requests, debugging production issues, and collaborating with product and design teams. It's the kind of role where you need to balance getting things done with doing them well.
The people who do well in this role tend to be strong in Networking (VLANs, Firewalls), PowerShell/Bash, Ansible, but more importantly, they know how to figure out what they don't know. DevOps & Cloud moves fast, and the best systems administrators are the ones who can adapt without needing someone to hand them a playbook every time something changes.
Right now, systems administrator roles pay in the range of $75,000 - $120,000, and most positions are looking for mid level candidates. It's a competitive field, but companies are hiring. If you've got the right skills and can show real project work, you're in a strong position.
How to get there
Build your foundation in systems administrator
Before anything else, get solid on the fundamentals. For systems administrator roles, that means understanding Windows Server/Linux (RHEL/Ubuntu) and VMware/Hyper-V at a level where you can explain them to someone else. Don't try to learn everything at once. Pick the core topics that show up in every job posting for this role and get genuinely good at them.
Get hands-on with Windows Server/Linux (RHEL/Ubuntu) and VMware/Hyper-V and Active Directory
Reading docs and watching tutorials won't get you hired. You need to actually build things with Windows Server/Linux (RHEL/Ubuntu) and VMware/Hyper-V and Active Directory. Set aside time every week to write code, run experiments, or practice in a real environment. Hiring managers can tell the difference between someone who has used a tool and someone who has just read about it.
Work on real projects
Set up a full CI/CD pipeline for a personal project. Deploy something to the cloud with infrastructure as code, monitoring, and automated rollbacks. The goal is to have something concrete you can talk about in interviews. "I built X, it does Y, and here's what I learned" is worth more than any course certificate.
Get certified in CompTIA Server+
For systems administrator roles, certifications like CompTIA Server+ actually carry weight with hiring managers. They won't get you the job on their own, but they signal that you've put in structured effort. If you're choosing between certifications, pick the one you see mentioned most in job postings for roles you want.
Target your first systems administrator role
Most systems administrator positions are mid level and pay around $75,000 - $120,000. When you're applying, tailor your resume for each job. Use the exact skills and keywords from the posting. Don't be picky about company size or brand name early on. A role where you'll learn fast is more valuable than a prestigious name on your resume.
Grow from here
Once you've got a couple years as a systems administrator, you'll have options. Roles like Cloud Solutions Architect, AWS Solutions Architect, Cloud Consultant are natural next steps in devops & cloud. The key is to keep building depth in your specialty while picking up broader skills like leadership, architecture, and cross-team collaboration. Your career path isn't a straight line, but this gives you a strong starting point.
Skills you'll need
These are the skills that show up most often in systems administrator job postings. You don't need all of them on day one, but you should be working toward them.
Certifications that help
These won't get you hired on their own, but they show hiring managers you've put in real study time. Worth it if you're switching careers or don't have much experience yet.
Where this role leads
Related roles in devops & cloud sorted by salary. These are the positions people grow into from systems administrator roles.
Cloud Solutions Architect
AWS Solutions Architect
Cloud Consultant
Platform Engineer
GCP Engineer
Kubernetes Engineer
DevSecOps Engineer
Database Reliability Engineer
Cloud Engineer
DevOps Engineer
Salary Range
Low
$75,000
Midpoint
$97,500
High
$120,000
Build Your Systems Administrator Resume
Create an ATS-optimized resume tailored for systems administrator roles in seconds.
See Systems Administrator Resume Example
View a complete resume with skills, experience bullets, and formatting.
Practice Systems Administrator Interview Questions
The questions hiring managers actually ask, with tips on what they want to hear.