RHCSA Salary Potential

Becoming a Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA) can not only bolster your confidence in the value of Red Hat technologies and your ability to use current technologies and adopt new Red Hat ones, but it can also offer you a path to increasing your salary as well. As more businesses start to rely on Linux-based software systems, a certification that validates your skills and knowledge around managing a Linux environment can lead to increased credibility in the field, skill development, and opportunities to secure higher-paying positions. 

Learn more about the RHCSA salary, including specifics on an RHCSA entry-level salary and other factors that may affect your pay if you choose to become an RHCSA. Explore details, such as the job outlook and potential job titles, about RHCSA jobs.

What is RHCSA certification?

RHCSA certification aims to verify that those who hold it possess the system administration skills required to manage Red Hat Enterprise Linux environments. Linux, an operating system similar to Windows, IOS, or Mac OS, allows the software on your device to function by managing the communication between that software and whichever type of hardware you are using to access it. Red Hat, the company that developed Linux, offers a variety of Linux training options. Whether you are learning Linux for the first time or are a seasoned professional, Red Hat likely offers training to fit your needs.

If you are already an experienced Red Hat Enterprise Linux system administrator, a DevOps professional, or an experienced Linux administrator wanting to become a Red Hat Certified Engineer, an RHCSA certification may be an appropriate choice for you to prove your expertise and move forward in your career. 

Consider the eligibility requirements, the exam format and contents, and the potential benefits of certification as you decide if this is the right path for you.

Eligibility requirements

Note that although Red Hat encourages the following prerequisite and preparation courses as a guide to ensure proper preparation for the exam, none are required. You can choose to just take the exam. 

If you prefer to prepare with one of Red Hat’s recommendations, consider taking the complimentary assessment they provide to help you determine which preparation course will best support you: Red Hat System Administration I and II or the RHCSA Rapid Track course, both offered by Red Hat, are the recommended prerequisite courses. Comparable work experience as a Red Hat Enterprise Linux system administrator may serve as a substitute for these courses. Red Hat also recommends reviewing the Red Hat Certified System Administrator exam objectives to help you decide if this certification is right for you. 

Exam format and content

The certification exam, offered in person or virtually, is hands-on and requires you to complete real-world tasks that highlight your knowledge in the following areas:

• Understanding and using essential tools

• Creating shell scripts

• Operating running system

• Configuring local storage

• Creating and configuring file systems

• Deploying, configuring, and maintaining systems

• Managing basic networking

• Managing users and groups

• Managing security

• Managing containers

Benefits

Earning the RHCSA certification can provide you with many benefits, including industry recognition and credibility, career advancement opportunities, skill development, and relevance in the job market. 

How much does RHCSA certification impact salary?

An RHCSA certification has the potential to increase your salary. It offers verification of the skills and experience companies value—and are willing to pay for—in a system administrator. In addition to certification, though, a variety of factors, such as level of education (including certification) and experience, industry, and location, can affect your salary potential. 

RHCSA-certified professionals take on a variety of roles. Entry-level titles include Linux system administrator or system administrator. Mid- and senior-level job titles might include Linux system engineer, Linux support system engineer, information system engineer, and senior system administrator. Explore how various factors might influence your salary in some of these roles.

Linux system administrator

Linux system administrators commonly hold degrees in computer science, electrical engineering, or information technology, with 74 percent of those in the profession holding a bachelor’s degree [1]. 

Consider the following data regarding Linux administrator salary [1]:

• Experience: At an entry-level, you can expect an average Linux administrator salary of $64,000 per year. This number increases to $83,032 for a mid-level administrator and to $94,000 for a senior-level administrator.

• Industry: The highest-paying industry for Linux system administrators is currently the finance industry, with professionals in this industry earning a median annual salary of $101,017. Manufacturing, technology, and health care round out the industries with the highest pay for Linux system administrators. 

• Location: To earn an average yearly salary over $90,000, you might consider looking for a Linux administrator position in one of these states: Washington, California, Washington DC, South Dakota, Iowa, Pennsylvania, or Oregon. Linux system administrators in Washington earn the highest average annual salary at $98,968.

System administrator

System administrators often study computer science, business, or computer information systems. Sixty percent of professionals with this title hold a bachelor’s degree, while 24 percent hold an associate degree and 9 percent a master’s degree [2].

The following data represent how certain factors might affect your salary as a system administrator [2]:

• Experience: You can expect an annual average salary of $59,000 as an entry-level system administrator. As a mid-level professional in this role, expect an average salary of $77,156, with senior-level system administrators earning an annual average salary of $88,000.

• Industry: Of the top-paying industries for system administrators, those working in the tech industry tend to earn the highest salaries, with an average annual salary of $86,962. Salaries for system administrators working in the manufacturing industry average $86,352 annually, a close second to those in the tech industry. 

• Location: System administrators in the following states earn the highest salaries, with all nine listing average annual salaries over $80,000: California, Washington, Vermont, Massachusetts, Maryland, Washington DC, New York, Oregon, and Connecticut.

Linux system engineer

The majority of Linux system engineers hold some sort of degree, with 67 percent having earned a bachelor’s degree, 15 percent an associate degree, and 14 percent a master’s degree [3]. Computer science, computer engineering, and information technology are common areas of study for Linux system engineers.

Consider how the following factors might influence your salary as a Linux system engineer [3]:

• Experience: The average annual salary for a mid-level Linux system engineer is $109,078. An entry-level annual salary is $80,000, and those at the senior level can expect $127,000 per year on average. 

• Industry: The highest-paying industries for Linux system engineers are technology, pharmaceutical, retail, manufacturing, and telecommunication, with the tech industry paying the highest average annual salary of $113,271.

• Location: Working in New Hampshire, New Jersey, California, New York, or Massachusetts as a Linux system engineer will likely earn you the most money. Professionals in these states earn over $120,000 per year on average, with those in New Hampshire making the highest salary—$131,481 on average per year.

Senior system administrator

Like many roles available to those with RHCSA certification, senior system administrators typically hold a degree, with 62 percent having a bachelor’s degree, 21 percent an associate degree, and 11 percent a master’s degree [4]. Senior system administrators often study computer science, business, or computer information systems. 

Consider how the following factors might influence your salary as a senior system administrator [4]:

• Experience: The average annual salary for a senior system administrator in an entry-level role is $75,000, while those in mid- and senior-level roles earn average annual salaries of $98,146 and $112,00,0, respectively.

• Industry: Finance, manufacturing, health care, tech, and government industries make up the top five highest-paying industries for senior system administrators. The finance industry pays the highest average annual salary of $104,418, with manufacturing and health care following closely at $101,786 and $101,354.

• Location: To earn an average annual salary of over $100,000, consider a senior system administrator position in one of the following states: California, Washington, New York, Massachusetts, Nevada, Rhode Island, Oregon, Maine, Washington DC, New Jersey, New Hampshire, or Maryland. Senior system administrators working in California earn the highest average annual salary at $120,52,2, with those working in Washington earning $116,894, a close second to California. 

Job Outlook: Is RHCSA in demand?

Expect general employment in the US to grow 0.4 percent annually over the next decade [5]. You can expect the demand for workers in roles that benefit from RHCSA certification to grow faster than average, indicating that RHCSA certification is in demand.

Growth rates for roles commonly held by those with RHCSA certification are as follows:

• Linux system administrator: 5 percent

• system administrator: 5 percent

• Linux system engineer: 5 percent

• Senior system administrator: 5 percent

Learn how to increase your salary on Coursera

An RHCSA certification can provide you with the credibility and skill development necessary for career advancement and a potential RHCSA salary increase. Sharpen skills that may help you prepare for the RHCSA certification exam on Coursera. IBM’s Information Technology (IT) and Cloud Fundamentals Specialization offers learning opportunities related to operating systems, software management and development, and common security risks. Learn practical skills and how to apply them with the IT Support Professional Certification, also offered by IBM. Find these courses for beginners on Coursera.