How Much Do System Operators Make?
Having a clear understanding of earnings potential is important, especially if you are researching career paths or considering changing jobs. If you're one of those people, and you're curious what kind of salary system operators make, you've come to the right place.
Using data from Lightcast,™ the Best Adult Colleges and Careers Guide has compiled rich information about salary for system operators and related jobs, including details about average compensation, salary trends and job growth. We've also gathered advertised salaries from actual job postings to provide insight into what employers of system operators are offering as compensation.
Keep reading to learn more about how much system operators can expect to make in the United States.
At a Glance: Salary & Jobs for System Operators
According to data from 2022, there were about 341,644 positions for system operators in the United States. In terms of salary, the national median salary for system operators was reported to be $90,522. Additionally, when examining job demand, employers across the country posted 97,017 job postings related to positions for system operators.
How Much Money Do System Operators Make?
Median salary is just one data point. To build a better understanding of how much money system operators and related positions can expect to make in the United States, it can be helpful to look at the full range of compensation for those jobs.
Let's look more deeply at data that was reported to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for detail into the lowest and highest salary earnings for system operators.
Annual Salary for System Operators
According to the BLS, the lowest earners for system operators and related professions earned about $56,264 per year in 2022. Meanwhile, at the other end of the spectrum, the highest earners made about $140,442 annually.
As mentioned previously, the median salary for system operators in the United States in 2022 was $90,522.
Annual Salary Range For System Operators In 2022
Hourly Salary for System Operators
The BLS also breaks down compensation for system operators by hourly salary, and the median average hourly pay for system operators in 2022 was $44. Lowest hourly earners took home $27 while the highest reported hourly salaries for system operators was $68.
Hourly Salary Range For System Operators In 2022
Top Online College For Working Adults
Franklin University is a top choice for adults who need to balance school with busy lives. Founded in 1902 in Columbus, Ohio, Franklin's main focus has been serving adult students and tailoring education to fit their needs. Nonprofit and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org/800.621.7440), Franklin offers more than 50 affordable bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs — all available 100% online.
Degree Options for System Operators
Learn to translate business requirements into robust yet functional software applications and database designs to help businesses not only run but thrive, and jump start your career as a user support specialist, computer system analyst, or software developer.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
Excel in the rapidly growing healthcare industry with comprehensive training in healthcare management, informatics and systems.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
Design, implement and manage cloud solutions with Franklin’s online, transfer-friendly B.S. Cloud Computing.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
Go beyond basic programming and develop the technical skills necessary to apply, design, and implement software systems.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
Bridge the gap between business and technology and develop the interpersonal skills to become an IT liaison in your organization.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
Harness the power of data by creating data-driven strategies and communicating data insights with a B.S. Information Systems-Analytics Focus.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
Develop your ability to lead, communicate and make strategic decisions that impact projects and processes with a B.S. Information Systems-Business Analysis & Project Management Focus
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
Build technical savvy and business acumen that bridges the gap between business and technology with a B.S. Information Systems with a Business Information Systems focus.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
Get the knowledge to manage healthcare data, navigate regulations and inform ethical decision-making with a B.S. Information Systems-Healthcare Information Systems Focus
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
Play a vital role in any business environment by designing and implementing mission-critical infrastructure, security, and servers.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
Develop the advanced technical skills needed to turn complex programming specifications into well-designed computer programs.
- Class Type: Face-to-face, Online coursework
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
Deliver high-quality software that helps companies and organizations maintain data security and integrity with Franklin’s 20-month online M.S. in Computer Science with a focus in Cybersecurity.
- Class Type: Face-to-face, Online coursework
- Months To Complete: 20
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
Learn to create scalable software systems that Improve organizational effectiveness and efficiency by earning Franklin’s 20-month online M.S. in Computer Science with a focus in Software Systems. The hands-on, theory-to-practice program will prepare you to be an asset in a variety of industries
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
Earn your M.S. in Information Technology degree 100% online in as few as 16 months.
- Class Type: Face-to-face, Online coursework
- Months To Complete: 16
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
Earn your M.S. in Information Technology degree with a focus in Cybersecurity 100% online in as few as 16 months.
- Class Type: Face-to-face, Online coursework
- Months To Complete: 16
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
Earn your M.S. in Information Technology degree with a focus in Data Analytics 100% online in as few as 16 months.
- Class Type: Face-to-face, Online coursework
- Months To Complete: 16
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
Earn your M.S. in Information Technology degree with a focus in Healthcare 100% online in as few as 16 months.
- Class Type: Face-to-face, Online coursework
- Months To Complete: 16
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
Earn your M.S. in Information Technology degree with a focus in IT Leadership 100% online in as few as 16 months.
- Class Type: Face-to-face, Online coursework
- Months To Complete: 16
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
Earn your M.S. in Information Technology degree with a focus in IT Management 100% online in as few as 16 months.
- Class Type: Face-to-face, Online coursework
- Months To Complete: 16
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
Earn your M.S. in Information Technology degree with a focus in Learning Technology 100% online in as few as 16 months.
- Class Type: Face-to-face, Online coursework
- Months To Complete: 16
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
Build your business knowledge while you gain practical understanding of database management, information security and IT-project management with Franklin’s online accredited MBA with a Specialization in Information Technology.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Months To Complete: 12
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
Advertised Compensation for System Operators
Data from the BLS is one way to dig into compensation for system operators, but another way to build a more real-time understanding of salary is to look at actual job postings and see what compensation organizations are currently providing to fill open positions for system operators.
Keep in mind that salary data is not included in every job posting, so the information compiled here is reflective of the data available through Lightcast.™
Annual Salary from Job Postings for System Operators
Advertised Annual Salary
During a review of 151,907 job postings related to system operators, advertised salary was included in 34,946 of them, which was 23%. Based on those postings, the median advertised salary for system operators was $84,352 per year.
Hourly Salary from Job Postings for System Operators
Advertised Hourly Salary
A similar analysis of job postings provides insight into advertised hourly salary for system operators. Based on 36% of postings with advertised compensation, the median hourly salary for open positions for system operators in the United States is about $41.
Salary Trend for System Operators
If you're thinking about pursuing a career in the field, you may want to understand how compensation has changed over time for system operators. The chart below provides a snapshot of advertised salaries over the past three years.
Based on compensation data that was included in job postings for system operators dating back to September 2019, advertised salaries for system operators have increased 5%.
Advertised Wage Trend For System Operators
What's the Job Growth for System Operators?
Another data point that someone thinking about a career path should consider is whether or not jobs are expected to see growth in the future. The chart below looks at projected employment for system operators over the next 10 years.
According to the data obtained through Lightcast,™ there were 341,030 jobs for system operators in the United States in 2022. By 2032, it is expected that about 33,985 jobs will be added. That's a 10% increase over the next 10-year period.
Employment Projections For System Operators
Additional Links
Ready to dig deeper into career information about system operators? Visit our other pages focused on salary and education for system operators.
What do system operators do?
System Operators: How do you become one?
All Occupations
The Best Adult Colleges and Careers Guide has compiled data for dozens of in-demand jobs. Explore our full catalog of occupation data by visiting the link below.