As of March 01, 2026, the average salary for a Network Administrator - Entry in the United States is $68,443 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $33.
However, a Network Administrator - Entry's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A Network Administrator - Entry's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Network Administrator - Entry's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Network Administrator - Entry | 0-2 years | $68,429 |
| Intermediate LAN Support | 2-4 years | $85,344 |
| LAN Application User Support III | 4-7 years | $108,623 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Network Administrator - Entries. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Troubleshooting | 8.7% |
| Operating System | 3.2% |
| TCP/IP | 2.18% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Team Operations
|
$84,185 |
23%
|
|
Time Management
|
$75,287 |
10%
|
|
OSPF
|
$75,287 |
10%
|
|
VMware
|
$74,603 |
9%
|
|
Project Management
|
$73,234 |
7%
|
|
Network Infrastructure
|
$73,234 |
7%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Network Administrator - Entries enter the field with a No Diploma degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Network Administrator - Entry with a No Diploma is between $59,133 and $65,746).
Network Administrator - Entry Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 1.3% |
| High School | 23.8% |
| Associates | 36.2% |
| Bachelors | 35.9% |
| Masters | 2.9% |
| Doctorate | 0.0% |
Understanding how a Network Administrator - Entry's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
Last Updated on March 01, 2026For a Network Administrator - Entry, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Intermediate LAN Support role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $85,400 - a projected growth of 25% over your current level.
Salaries for a Network Administrator - Entry can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary increased from $66,963 in 2023 to around $67,029 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Network Administrator - Entry salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $66,963 |
| 2024 | $67,280 |
| 2025 | $67,029 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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Compensation PlanningHere are companies hiring for Network Administrator - Entry and their salaries, click below for more details.
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The CCNA is a valuable entry-level networking certification that can pave the way for roles like network specialist, network administrator, and network engineer. With an entry-level salary for a Network Administrator ranging from $59,803 to $81,163, obtaining a CCNA can significantly enhance your job prospects and earning potential in the IT field.
The CCNA routing/switching exam has a passing rate of 85%, but the failure rate on the first attempt is around 95%. While the exam may not be overly difficult, it can be challenging for newcomers to networking. For those considering a career as a Network Administrator, entry-level salaries range from $59,803 to $81,163, with a midpoint of $70,473.
The highest paying administrative job can vary, but for a Network Administrator - Entry, salaries range from $59,803 to $81,163, with a median salary of $70,473. Other high-paying roles include HR Administrator, Medical Office Administrator, and Operations Manager, which also offer competitive salaries in the administrative field.
As of now, the salary for an entry-level Network Administrator in the US ranges from $59,803 to $81,163 annually, with a median salary of $70,473. This translates to approximately $28.75 to $39.00 per hour, or $4,983 to $6,764 per month.
The highest salary for an entry-level Network Administrator is $81,163. For more experienced roles, the salary can increase significantly, with Senior Network Administrators earning between $108,000 and $160,000, and Principal Network Administrators making between $134,000 and $215,000 annually.
While the highest-paying IT jobs often include roles like Principal Software Engineer and Engineering Manager, entry-level positions such as Network Administrator offer competitive salaries. For this role, salaries range from $59,803 to $81,163, with a median salary of $70,473, reflecting the demand for skilled professionals in the tech industry.
Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)
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