The
reputation system is complicated. Only the original programmer understands it fully. The amount of reputation you can give depends on many factors, including the number of posts you have, how long you've been a member, and your own reputation. So generally the senior members have greater rep-giving power. For example, if I
give rep to somebody, it is worth more than if a new member gives rep. If I recall, members with zero posts cannot
give rep at all; members with at least one post start off with one point of rep-giving power; admins can give ten or fifteen points of rep. I think some people might actually be able to give more than admins, though. (People like you--longtime members with decent post counts and a fair amount of rep received.)