Web Developer
Median wage · national
$92,650
Range: $64K – $126K
Employed
70K
Openings/yr
5K
Typically: bachelor's degree
STEM
Network Administrator
Network Administrator earn $99,130 nationally at the median. The middle 50% of workers fall between $78,010 and $126,640. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and experience.
About Network Administrator
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.
- Median Wage
- $99,130
- Employed Nationally
- 314K
- Openings / Year
- 14,300
- Entry Education
- Bachelor's degree
- Job Zone
- Zone 4: Considerable Preparation
Also known as:
Administrator (Admin)
AI Security Specialist (Artificial Intelligence Security Specialist)
Application Security Administrator
Application Systems Administrator
Computer Systems Security Administrator
How Much Do Network Administrators Make?
Network Administrator earn $99,130 nationally, well above the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $78,010 and $126,640. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and location.
$99,130
National Median (Annual)
Well above average for college graduates.
$78K–$127K
Middle 50% Range
25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.
Earnings Range
$78,010
Entry-level
$99,130
Median
$126,640
Experienced
What Do Network Administrators Do?
O*NET data identifies 5 core activities and 5 measurable skills for Network Administrator roles. Use this section to judge whether the day-to-day reality aligns with what you actually want to spend time doing.
What You'll Do
- 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.
Core Skills Employers Look For
Systems Analysis
Judgment and Decision Making
Reading Comprehension
Critical Thinking
Monitoring
Who Thrives Here
C
Conventional
Success depends on precision and structured processes, where detail-oriented people who work consistently within established systems perform best.
R
Realistic
Hands-on tasks, physical activity, or working with tools and real materials are central parts of the daily work here.
I
Investigative
This career demands analytical thinking: researching problems, interpreting data, and applying logical reasoning to find practical solutions.
Where Do Network Administrators Work?
What the physical and mental conditions of this job actually look like day to day, based on O*NET Work Context data collected from people working in this occupation.
Work Setting
Mixed
Split between indoor and outdoor or field settings.
Physical Demands
Light
Mix of sitting and movement throughout the day.
Stress Level
Moderate
Moderate pressure. Regular deadlines exist but are generally manageable with experience.
What Is the Job Outlook for Network Administrators?
The BLS projects -4.2% employment change for Network Administrator through 2034, a declining trend, below the national average of +5%. About 14,300 openings per year keep the field accessible to new entrants.
↘ -4.2%
10-Year Growth (2024–2034)
Declining employment projected.
14,300
Annual Openings
New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.
314K
Currently Employed
Total US employment as of BLS May 2024.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024.
Where the Jobs Are
The five states below employ the most Network Administrator professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $99,130 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.
| # | State | Jobs | Median Wage | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas | 34,640 | $94,170 | -5.0% |
| 2 | California | 28,730 | $106,620 | +7.6% |
| 3 | Florida | 22,280 | $92,980 | -6.2% |
| 4 | New York | 19,770 | $104,050 | +5.0% |
| 5 | Ohio | 15,950 | $93,220 | -6.0% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →
How to Get Here
Most Network Administrator positions require a bachelor's degree to qualify. The 2 programs below are the most common academic pathways into this field, ranked by how many graduates they produce each year.
Typical Entry Education
Bachelor's degree
Job Zone
Zone 4: Considerable Preparation
These positions typically require a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience before advancing into senior roles.
Degree Programs That Lead Here
| # | Program | Graduates/yr | 4yr Median | Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Information Systems | 103,827 | $92,374 | 1,579 |
| 2 | IT Administration | 46,791 | $85,063 | 1,271 |
Top Colleges for Aspiring Network Administrators
Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.
| # | College | UCD Score | Net Price | Salary 10yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States Naval Academy Annapolis, MD | 97 | — | — |
| 2 | United States Coast Guard Academy New London, CT | 96 | — | — |
| 3 | United States Military Academy West Point, NY | 96 | — | — |
| 4 | CUNY Bernard M Baruch College New York, NY | 93 | $3,033 | $75,971 |
| 5 | University of California-San Diego La Jolla, CA | 93 | $12,470 | $84,943 |
| 6 | University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA | 93 | $13,481 | $92,446 |
Plan Your Path
Once you've sized up Network Administrator, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.
College ROI Calculator
See if the degree that leads to Network Administrator pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings graduates see.
College Cost Calculator
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Compare Colleges
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
College Match Quiz
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
Network Administrator Pros & Cons
Network Administrator has real financial strengths, but declining employment projections deserve careful consideration. The 3 upsides and 2 concerns below are all data-sourced.
PROS
- Very high median salary The national median of $99,130 places this career well above average for college graduates, with significant upside at the 75th percentile.
- High earning ceiling Top earners (75th percentile) reach $126,640 annually. Strong performers, specialists, and those in high-cost markets have significant upside beyond the median.
- Wide job market 314K professionals are employed in this field, large enough to offer geographic flexibility and multiple entry paths.
CONS
- Declining employment The BLS projects -4.2% employment change through 2034. This field is expected to shrink. Automation, offshoring, or structural industry change are likely factors.
- Multi-year ramp before career-level pay This is a Job Zone 4 occupation, these positions typically require a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience before advancing into senior roles. Most workers in this field spend their first several years at entry-level pay well below the $99,130 median while building the experience employers require.
Network Administrator Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Network Administrator professionals earn?
The national median annual wage for Network Administrator is $99,130, above the national median for full-time workers. The middle 50% of earners fall between $78,010 and $126,640. Pay varies by employer size, industry sector, specialization, and geography. National figures are a starting point, not a guarantee.
Is Network Administrator a good career?
With realistic expectations. The BLS projects -4.2% employment change through 2034. This field is shrinking, not expanding. The $99,130 median wage is competitive, but most openings come from retirements and exits rather than new positions. If you're drawn to this work, differentiate through a specialized niche or adjacent certification that keeps you relevant as the broader field contracts.
How long does it take to become a Network Administrator?
Expect 4 years of undergraduate education followed by 2 or more years of field experience before most employers consider you qualified for career-level positions. A bachelor's degree is the typical minimum credential. Degree programs like Information Systems are typical entry paths. Early-career pay during this ramp-up period will be meaningfully below the $99,130 national median. Factor that gap into any program ROI calculation.
Why are Network Administrator jobs declining?
The BLS projects -4.2% employment change for Network Administrator through 2034. Declining occupations typically face some combination of automation, industry consolidation, offshoring, or reduced consumer demand, rarely a single cause. Despite the overall decline, about 14,300 openings per year are still projected, mostly replacements for workers who retire or leave, not new positions. 314K people currently work in this field, so while it's contracting, active hiring still occurs. Specialization in high-value segments of the role gives the strongest protection.
How competitive is it to get a job as a Network Administrator?
Competitive. With roughly 14,300 annual openings in a field of 314K workers, the ratio of openings to existing employment is below 5%. Most hiring replaces workers who retire or leave rather than filling new positions. Strong credentials, relevant experience, and professional network matter significantly more here than in growing fields.
What skills do Network Administrator professionals need?
O*NET data identifies the core skills employers consistently prioritize for Network Administrator roles: Systems Analysis, Judgment and Decision Making, Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, and Monitoring. These develop through formal education and hands-on work. Programs with internship or co-op requirements give you a meaningful head start on the ones that take time to build.
Related Findings
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Air traffic controllers earn more than the typical bachelor's-degree career, with an associate degree. The occupations that pay six figures without four years of college.
- No bachelor degree
- High paying careers
- Associate degree
- Trades
- Median wage
-
Does a Master's Degree Pay Off? Barely, on Average
Group every career by the degree it requires and master's-level jobs pay a median of about $91,000, statistically tied with bachelor's-level work. The premium hides in a few fields.
- Master's degree
- Bachelor's degree
- Median wage
- Graduate school
- Career outcomes
-
Growing and Paying $80K Plus: The Careers That Do Both
Only 95 of 385 federal careers both pay a median above $80,000 and grow faster than the typical job. Here is the rare set that clears both bars.
- Career growth
- Median wage
- High-paying careers
- Job outlook
- Career change
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