How much does a network and computer systems administrator make?
The median network and computer systems administrator in the United States earns $99,130 per year, about $47.66 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all network and computer systems administrators earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 15-1244.
Network and computer systems administrator salary range
Pay for network and computer systems administrators spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $62,640 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $155,050. The average (mean) wage of $103,680 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $62,640 | $30.11 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $78,010 | $37.51 | |
| Median (50th) | $99,130 | $47.66 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $126,640 | $60.89 | |
| 90th percentile | $155,050 | $74.55 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for network and computer systems administrators (SOC 15-1244), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Network and computer systems administrator salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Network and computer systems administrators earn the most in Maryland at $118,290 a year, and the least in West Virginia at $74,490. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland | $118,290 | 9,230 |
| New Jersey | $116,420 | 9,280 |
| Massachusetts | $110,980 | 8,270 |
| District of Columbia | $110,970 | 1,320 |
| Virginia | $109,610 | 12,430 |
| California | $106,440 | 26,170 |
| Connecticut | $105,880 | 2,170 |
| New York | $105,810 | 18,220 |
| Washington | $103,910 | 8,600 |
| Nevada | $103,440 | 1,980 |
| Colorado | $103,370 | 8,360 |
| Rhode Island | $103,100 | 1,060 |
| Oregon | $102,000 | 4,880 |
| Minnesota | $101,870 | 4,550 |
| Hawaii | $101,450 | 1,490 |
| Texas | $101,240 | 34,840 |
| New Hampshire | $100,230 | 1,660 |
| Illinois | $100,080 | 9,820 |
| Ohio | $97,570 | 15,130 |
| Alaska | $97,500 | 920 |
| Georgia | $97,170 | 9,190 |
| Utah | $95,820 | 2,050 |
| North Carolina | $95,230 | 13,850 |
| Florida | $95,200 | 26,890 |
| Delaware | $94,200 | 850 |
| Michigan | $92,750 | 6,900 |
| South Carolina | $92,520 | 3,580 |
| Idaho | $91,880 | 1,010 |
| New Mexico | $90,790 | 1,220 |
| Arizona | $90,280 | 5,810 |
| Louisiana | $90,160 | 1,790 |
| Tennessee | $88,100 | 5,070 |
| Kentucky | $87,020 | 2,800 |
| North Dakota | $86,450 | 930 |
| Pennsylvania | $86,140 | 7,750 |
| Vermont | $86,020 | 560 |
| Nebraska | $84,700 | 1,560 |
| Indiana | $84,550 | 4,310 |
| Iowa | $84,500 | 3,110 |
| Oklahoma | $83,990 | 2,580 |
| Maine | $83,890 | 920 |
| Wisconsin | $83,650 | 8,470 |
| Kansas | $83,340 | 4,100 |
| Arkansas | $81,590 | 1,750 |
| Alabama | $81,400 | 5,040 |
| Montana | $80,950 | 850 |
| Missouri | $80,870 | 5,810 |
| Mississippi | $79,990 | 1,380 |
| Wyoming | $75,220 | 610 |
| South Dakota | $75,010 | 1,690 |
| West Virginia | $74,490 | 1,510 |
State median wages for network and computer systems administrators (SOC 15-1244), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for network and computer systems administrators
The BLS projects employment of network and computer systems administrators to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 4.1%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 323,600 jobs in 2025 moving toward 310,400 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 13,400 openings a year for network and computer systems administrators. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a network and computer systems administrator
The typical entry-level education for network and computer systems administrators is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a network and computer systems administrator earns
Seniority, employer, location, and specialization matter most. Workers at large tech firms and in expensive metros like San Francisco, Seattle, and New York cluster near the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Maryland, $118,290) and the lowest (West Virginia, $74,490) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 314,340 people work as network and computer systems administrators in the United States. At $99,130 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Network and computer systems administrator salary FAQ
How much does a network and computer systems administrator make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a network and computer systems administrator is $47.66. The middle half of network and computer systems administrators earn between $37.51 and $60.89 per hour.
What is the highest network and computer systems administrator salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of network and computer systems administrators earn more than $155,050 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a network and computer systems administrator make a year?
The median annual salary for a network and computer systems administrator is $99,130. The average (mean) wage of $103,680 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a network and computer systems administrator a well paid job?
At $99,130 a year, a network and computer systems administrator earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 314,340 people work as network and computer systems administrators in the United States.
Which state pays network and computer systems administrators the most?
Maryland has the highest median salary for network and computer systems administrators at $118,290 a year. New Jersey ($116,420) and Massachusetts ($110,980) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a network and computer systems administrator a good career?
Employment of network and computer systems administrators is projected to shrink 4.1% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 13,400 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a network and computer systems administrator?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for network and computer systems administrators as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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