Systems Administrator vs Penetration Tester: Which Pays More?
Side-by-side salary comparison by city, experience level, and career growth outlook. Data reflects current market rates.
Systems Administrator
Manage servers, operating systems, and IT infrastructure.
Penetration Tester
Conduct authorised attacks on systems to find and report vulnerabilities.
Penetration Tester earns more on average — the national median is $30,050/year (30%) higher than a Systems Administrator. However, salaries vary significantly by city, employer, and experience level — see the city-by-city breakdown below.
Systems Administrator vs Penetration Tester — Salary by City
National median figures in USD across top cities.
| City | Systems Administrator | Penetration Tester | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $146,173 | $193,496 | Systems $47,323 |
| New York, NY | $120,157 | $140,470 | Systems $20,313 |
| Seattle, WA | $143,912 | $188,841 | Systems $44,929 |
| Austin, TX | $108,712 | $145,769 | Systems $37,057 |
| Chicago, IL | $104,809 | $135,251 | Systems $30,442 |
| Boston, MA | $127,175 | $171,501 | Systems $44,326 |
| London, UK | £76,827 | £102,480 | Systems $25,653 |
| Toronto, Canada | CA$130,867 | CA$166,911 | Systems $36,044 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Systems Administrator or Penetration Tester earn more?+
A Penetration Tester earns more on average. The national median salary for a Systems Administrator is $99,130/year, compared to $129,180/year for a Penetration Tester — a difference of $30,050 (30%).
Which has better career growth — Systems Administrator or Penetration Tester?+
Systems Administrator roles are growing at 4% YoY while Penetration Tester demand is growing at 30% YoY. Penetration Tester has stronger near-term demand growth.
Can you switch from Systems Administrator to Penetration Tester?+
Yes. Many professionals transition between these roles, especially since both are in the same category. Shared skills include: analytical thinking, communication, and industry knowledge.
Which is harder to automate — Systems Administrator or Penetration Tester?+
Penetration Tester has a lower AI automation risk (22% vs 64%). Based on Oxford Martin School and McKinsey 2023 analysis.