Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.
Network and Computer Systems Administrators salary by state
Long-term incentive is not shown for this role. Equity awards are only disclosed publicly for the named executive officers of public companies, so no market figure exists for most jobs. See executive pay disclosures.
About this role
Network and Computer Systems Administrators is a professional role within the function in the Computer and Mathematical job family.
Typical entry preparation: Bachelor's Degree and up to 2 years of related work experience, per O*NET occupational data. Advancement typically requires additional years in role.
What Network and Computer Systems Administratorss do
Typical education: Bachelor's Degree
Maintain and administer computer networks and related computing environments, including computer hardware, systems software, applications software, and all configurations.
Perform data backups and disaster recovery operations.
Diagnose, troubleshoot, and resolve hardware, software, or other network and system problems, and replace defective components when necessary.
Configure, monitor, and maintain email applications or virus protection software.
Operate master consoles to monitor the performance of computer systems and networks and to coordinate computer network access and use.
Top skills:Systems AnalysisReading ComprehensionJudgment and Decision MakingCritical ThinkingTroubleshootingSystems Evaluation
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
Network and Computer Systems Administrators pay by experience level
Entry level$65,000
Typical starting pay (about the 10th percentile)
Early career$80,500
A few years in (about the 25th percentile)
Experienced$102,500
Mid-career median pay
Senior$131,000
Seasoned professionals (about the 75th percentile)
Top earners$160,500
Highest earners (about the 90th percentile)
Experience tiers are derived from the BLS wage percentile distribution for this occupation, aged to 2026. Actual pay varies by employer, location, and specialization.
Job outlook
-4.2%
projected change in jobs, 2024–2034
14,300
projected openings per year
Declining
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2024–2034). Openings include growth and replacement needs.
Network and Computer Systems Administrators salary by industry
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
81,880 workers
$114,000
Computer Systems Design and Related Services
51,700 workers
$112,500
Educational Services
37,860 workers
$96,000
Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Schools and Hospitals and USPS
25,770 workers
$101,000
Management of Companies and Enterprises
23,490 workers
$112,500
Management of Companies and Enterprises
23,490 workers
$112,500
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools
17,500 workers
$96,000
Local Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation)
17,260 workers
$102,000
Educational Services, Local Government Owned
16,010 workers
$96,000
Elementary and Secondary Schools
15,530 workers
$94,500
National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
Typical duties and FLSA status
Core duties
Maintain and administer computer networks and related computing environments, including computer hardware, systems software, applications software, and all configurations.
Perform data backups and disaster recovery operations.
Diagnose, troubleshoot, and resolve hardware, software, or other network and system problems, and replace defective components when necessary.
Configure, monitor, and maintain email applications or virus protection software.
Operate master consoles to monitor the performance of computer systems and networks and to coordinate computer network access and use.
FLSA classification (typical)
Typically Exempt · Professional, Administrative, or Executive exemption
Occupations in this SOC group are typically classified as Exempt when paid above the salary threshold, provided they satisfy the duties test for one of the FLSA exemption categories. Actual classification depends on the specific job duties, salary basis, and any applicable state or local rules. The current federal salary threshold for exemption is $684 per week ($35,568 per year), per the 2020 Department of Labor rule; the 2024 rule that would have raised the threshold was struck down by federal court in November 2024.
How this role compares
Network and Computer Systems Administrators pays 13% below the average across 38 roles in the Computer and Mathematical job family (family average $123,500).
Related occupations from O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Network and Computer Systems Administrators make?
The average base salary for a Network and Computer Systems Administrators in the United States is $107,500 per year, or about $51.68 per hour.
What is the typical salary range?
Pay typically falls between $80,500 and $131,000 per year (25th to 75th percentile) depending on experience, location, industry, and organization size.
How does this compare with other Computer and Mathematical roles?
The Computer and Mathematical job family averages $123,500 across 38 roles tracked by WePayFairly.
Need a defensible market price for this role? WePayFairly data is compiled from published survey sources and maintained by compensation professionals.
Need Network and Computer Systems Administrators pay benchmarked for your organization, or defensible compensation analysis for a dispute or valuation? Grahall builds it from primary sources, backed by an expert who testifies.
