Systems Administrator vs QA Engineer: 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.
QA Engineer
Design and execute test strategies to ensure software quality.
QA Engineer earns more on average — the national median is $5,170/year (5%) 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 QA Engineer — Salary by City
National median figures in USD across top cities.
| City | Systems Administrator | QA Engineer | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $146,173 | $151,085 | Systems $4,912 |
| New York, NY | $120,157 | $126,759 | Systems $6,602 |
| Seattle, WA | $143,912 | $150,155 | Systems $6,243 |
| Austin, TX | $108,712 | $114,009 | Systems $5,297 |
| Chicago, IL | $104,809 | $115,087 | Systems $10,278 |
| Boston, MA | $127,175 | $133,460 | Systems $6,285 |
| London, UK | £76,827 | £82,816 | Systems $5,989 |
| Toronto, Canada | CA$130,867 | CA$136,813 | Systems $5,946 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Systems Administrator or QA Engineer earn more?+
A QA Engineer earns more on average. The national median salary for a Systems Administrator is $99,130/year, compared to $104,300/year for a QA Engineer — a difference of $5,170 (5%).
Which has better career growth — Systems Administrator or QA Engineer?+
Systems Administrator roles are growing at 4% YoY while QA Engineer demand is growing at 12% YoY. QA Engineer has stronger near-term demand growth.
Can you switch from Systems Administrator to QA Engineer?+
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 QA Engineer?+
QA Engineer has a lower AI automation risk (62% vs 64%). Based on Oxford Martin School and McKinsey 2023 analysis.