Network and Systems Administrator Salaries

Network and computer systems administrators manage an organization's computer networks and systems — configuring servers, maintaining network infrastructure, troubleshooting connectivity, and ensuring security and uptime. It's a role that exists in virtually every organization of meaningful size.

National Wage Overview

Systems administrator wages sit in the upper-middle tier of the workforce — above the overall median, but typically below software developer and data science salaries. The role requires significant technical skill but generally doesn't command the same premium as software engineering. Browse wages in the Computer and Mathematical Occupations group.

Cloud's Effect on the Role

Cloud computing has shifted the systems administrator role significantly. Traditional on-premises server management is declining; cloud infrastructure management (AWS, Azure, GCP) requires new skills — and administrators who have made this transition command higher wages than those working purely on legacy systems.

Certifications

AWS Solutions Architect, Microsoft Azure Administrator, and Cisco CCNA/CCNP are among the certifications most correlated with higher wages in network and systems administration roles. Employers specifically seek these credentials and pay premiums for them.

Top-Paying States

California, Washington, Virginia, and Maryland rank among the top states for systems administrator wages — driven by tech sector concentration and federal government IT demand respectively.