What Network and Computer Systems Administrators do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Network and Computer Systems Administrators this way: "Install, configure, and maintain an organization's local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), data communications network, operating systems, and physical and virtual servers. Perform system monitoring and verify the integrity and availability of hardware, network, and server resources and systems. Review system and application logs and verify completion of scheduled jobs, including system backups. Analyze network and server resource consumption and control user access. Install and upgrade software and maintain software licenses. May assist in network modeling, analysis, planning, and coordination between network and data communications hardware and software."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Perform data backups and disaster recovery operations"; "Maintain and administer computer networks and related computing environments, including computer hardware, systems software, applications software, and all configurations"; "Plan, coordinate, and implement network security measures to protect data, software, and hardware"; "Operate master consoles to monitor the performance of computer systems and networks and to coordinate computer network access and use"; "Perform routine network startup and shutdown procedures, and maintain control records".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is bachelor's degree.
Job outlook for Network and Computer Systems Administrators
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 323,600 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 310,400 in 2035, a decrease of 13,200 jobs (-4.1%). That is slower than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 13,400 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 4.1% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $99,130, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Network and Computer Systems Administrators earn the most
Across the 8 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $99,071 in Texas to $125,430 in District of Columbia, a gap of $26,359 (1.27 times). 7 of those 8 states average above the BLS national median of $99,130 and 1 average at or below it.
Texas employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 31,290, which is 19.8% of the 158,320 counted across them. California follows with 24,160.
Highest-paying states
District of Columbia ($125,430), West Virginia ($118,789) and Maryland ($118,234) lead the ranking, while Texas ($99,071) and California ($110,910) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Network and Computer Systems Administrators: pay against the cost of living
We compare 8 labor markets, each represented by its most populous county. After federal, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes and the four basics (a one-bedroom rental, food, home energy and gasoline), the largest yearly margin is in Jefferson County, WV (Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV) at $71,781. The smallest margin is $39,128 in Los Angeles County, CA.
The median wage for this occupation covers all four basics in 8 of the 8 markets. A one-bedroom apartment takes between 13.8% and 37.9% of take-home pay, depending on the market.
Occupations related to Network and Computer Systems Administrators
Computer Network Architects belong to the same detailed SOC group. Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (15-1000) include Software Developers, Information Security Analysts, Web and Digital Interface Designers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers.
Frequently asked questions about Network and Computer Systems Administrators
What is the national median wage for Network and Computer Systems Administrators?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $99,130. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $99,071 to $125,430.
Which state pays Network and Computer Systems Administrators the most?
District of Columbia, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $125,430. West Virginia is next at $118,789.
What is the job outlook for Network and Computer Systems Administrators?
BLS projects employment to shrink by 4.1% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 13,400 openings a year.
What education do Network and Computer Systems Administrators need?
The typical entry-level education is bachelor's degree, according to BLS.
Where can Network and Computer Systems Administrators afford to live best?
Among the markets covered, Jefferson County, WV leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes, rent, food, energy and gasoline: $71,781 on a median wage of $125,430.