A Jira admin is responsible for managing the Jira platform within an organization. This includes tasks like user management, project creation, customizing workflows, troubleshooting issues, integrating Jira with other tools, and overall system administration. Jira has become one of the most widely used project management and issue tracking platforms, especially among software teams. As Jira continues to grow in popularity, there is strong demand for skilled Jira administrators. But how much does this type of role actually pay? Let’s take a closer look at Jira admin salaries below.
The National Average Jira Admin Salary
According to data from PayScale, the average salary for a Jira Admin in the United States is $77,174 per year. Salaries typically range between $56,000 on the low end up to $103,000 at the high end of the spectrum. The median salary is $75,000 meaning half of all Jira admins earn less than this and half earn more.
Some key factors that influence Jira admin pay include:
- Years of experience with Jira and other Atlassian tools
- Industry (tech companies tend to pay more)
- Company size and budget
- Cost of living and location
- Level of responsibility and complexity of the Jira environment
Of course, salaries can vary quite a bit based on these factors. Entry-level Jira admins or those in junior roles will be at the lower end of the pay scale. Senior-level admins with 5+ years of experience can command much higher salaries exceeding $100K.
Jira Admin Salaries by City
Below is a comparison of average Jira admin salaries in several major metro areas according to PayScale:
City | Average Salary |
---|---|
San Francisco | $99,000 |
New York City | $91,000 |
Chicago | $78,000 |
Atlanta | $76,000 |
Los Angeles | $83,000 |
As expected, salaries tend to be higher in big tech hubs like San Francisco and New York City where the cost of living is more expensive. Jira admin pay in these cities can exceed $100K for those in senior roles. In other areas with lower costs of living, average salaries tend to be closer to the national median.
Factors That Impact Jira Admin Salaries
There are several key factors that influence how much a Jira admin makes within an organization:
Years of Experience
More experienced Jira admins can earn significantly higher salaries. Entry-level roles may start between $50K-$65K per year. After 3-5 years, Jira admins can expect to earn closer to the national average. With 5-10 years of experience managing enterprise-scale Jira environments, salaries of $90K-$120K are attainable.
Education and Certifications
While not always required, having a bachelor’s degree in information technology, computer science or a related field can boost earning potential for Jira admins. Relevant certifications like the Axelos ITIL certification or Atlassian certifications in Jira administration can also help qualify candidates for higher pay.
Company and Industry
The company itself and its industry play a big role in compensation. Large tech companies or software firms with sizable budgets will pay on the higher end for skilled Jira admins. Startups or smaller companies will pay less. Certain industries like tech, finance, healthcare tend to pay better for IT roles.
Cost of Living
Salaries are adjusted based on the cost of living in different cities and regions. Jira admins in expensive metro areas like San Francisco or New York City will be paid more compared to lower cost of living cities.
Scope and Scale
Jira admins who manage large complex environments with thousands of users and multiple linked applications can command higher salaries than those in simpler environments. The scope of responsibility is directly tied to pay.
Bonuses, Perks and Benefits
In addition to base salary, many Jira admins receive bonuses, perks and benefits as part of their total compensation package:
– **Annual Bonuses** – Bonuses are often awarded based on individual performance and can range from 5% to 20% of salary.
– **Stock Options/Equity** – Tech companies may offer stock options or equity in addition to salary. This provides the potential for future financial gain.
– **Paid Time Off** – Most Jira admins receive standard paid vacation time, sick days, and holidays. Many also get >15 days of PTO.
– **Insurance** – Medical, dental, vision and life insurance plans are common. Some companies cover 100% of premiums.
– **Retirement** – 401(k) plans or pensions help Jira admins save for retirement. Many companies offer matching contributions.
– **Tuition Reimbursement** – Several companies offer tuition reimbursement or assistance for career development.
– **Flexible Schedules** – Flex time, remote work or hybrid arrangements provide work-life balance for Jira admins.
These additional perks and benefits can significantly enhance the total compensation beyond just base salary. Candidates should take the full package into consideration when comparing job offers.
Job Growth and Outlook for Jira Admins
According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), demand for software developers and IT roles will grow much faster than average over the next decade. Software development jobs are expected to grow 22% while IT management jobs should grow about 11%. This bodes very well for Jira administrators.
With Atlassian tools continuing to dominate the project management software market, more companies will invest in Jira for tracking issues, tasks and defects. This will fuel strong demand for qualified Jira admins to manage these systems. Candidates with the right mix of technical skills and Atlassian tool knowledge should see excellent job prospects. The increased adoption of cloud-based Jira Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) may also open up more remote work opportunities.
Overall, the future looks bright for Jira administrators from a growth and job stability standpoint. Given the rapid pace of technological change, it will remain important for Jira admins to keep their skills current through ongoing education and certifications. But those who stay up-to-date on the latest Jira releases and features should continue to be handsomely rewarded with salaries at or above the current national averages.
Conclusion
In summary, Jira administrators currently earn an average salary of around $77K per year in the United States. This can vary from around $56K for entry-level roles up to over $100K for experienced senior-level admins. Key factors like location, industry, company size, years of experience and certifications impact average pay. Jira admins working for tech giants or software companies in major metropolitan hubs tend to be at the higher end of the pay range. Perks, equity, bonuses and benefits also enhance the compensation. With demand growing for skilled Jira admins, salaries should remain competitive for qualified candidates, especially those with cloud experience as Jira SaaS adoption accelerates.