QA Engineer vs Systems Administrator salary
In United States, a qa engineer earns about 15% more than a systems administrator — $110,000 vs $95,800 per year.
Showing amounts in USD (USD default). FX as of Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:02:31 +0000. Convert currencies
Pays more
Technology
QA Engineer$110,000/yr
- Monthly
- $9,200
- Hourly
- $53
- Range
- $74,400–$153,600
- 10-yr outlook
- +20%
Technology
Systems Administrator$95,800/yr
- Monthly
- $8,000
- Hourly
- $46
- Range
- $66,500–$131,600
- 10-yr outlook
- +4%
Pay range, side by side
| Percentile | QA Engineer | Systems Administrator |
|---|---|---|
| Entry (10th) | $74,400 | $66,500 |
| 25th | $92,200 | $81,100 |
| Median | $110,000 | $95,800 |
| 75th | $131,800 | $113,700 |
| Senior (90th) | $153,600 | $131,600 |
National United States figures in USD. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.
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Frequently asked questions
- Does a qa engineer or systems administrator earn more in United States?
- A qa engineer earns more, at about $110,000 per year vs $95,800 for a systems administrator — roughly 15% ($14,200) more.
- What is the salary range for these roles in United States?
- A qa engineer typically earns $74,400–$153,600, while a systems administrator earns $66,500–$131,600 per year.
- How much do these jobs pay per month in United States?
- On a monthly basis before tax, a qa engineer averages about $9,200 and a systems administrator about $8,000.
- How do entry-level salaries compare?
- At the 10th percentile in United States, a qa engineer earns about $74,400 while a systems administrator earns about $66,500 per year.
- How do senior-level salaries compare?
- At the 90th percentile in United States, a qa engineer earns about $153,600 while a systems administrator earns about $131,600 per year.
- Are qa engineer and systems administrator similar careers?
- Both roles sit in the Technology category on Pay by Role, which is why we compare them head-to-head. Day-to-day work still differs — review each job page for skills and outlook.