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Network Administrator - Entry Salary in the United States

How much does a Network Administrator - Entry make in the United States?

As of September 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:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $81,033
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $59,983 to $75,033
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $52,281
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Network Administrator - Entry Salaries

A Network Administrator - Entry's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Do Network Administrator - Entry Salaries Vary from State to State?

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:
  • District of Columbia: $75,783.
  • California: $75,493.
  • Massachusetts: $74,493.

Top Paying Cities for Network Administrator - Entries

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $86,323
  • San Francisco: $85,383
  • Oakland: $83,583

What Skills Can Increase a Network Administrator - Entry's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Troubleshooting (Mentioned in 8.7% Job Postings): Troubleshooting is a form of problem solving, often applied to repair failed products or processes on a machine or a system. It is a logical, systematic search for the source of a problem in order to solve it, and make the product or process operational again. Troubleshooting is needed to identify the symptoms. Determining the most likely cause is a process of elimination—eliminating potential causes of a problem. Finally, troubleshooting requires confirmation that the solution restores the product or process to its working state. In general, troubleshooting is the identification or diagnosis of "trouble" in the management flow of a system caused by a failure of some kind. The problem is initially described as symptoms of malfunction, and troubleshooting is the process of determining and remedying the causes of these symptoms. A system can be described in terms of its expected, desired or intended behavior (usually, for artificial systems, its purpose). Events or inputs to the system are expected to generate specific results or outputs. (For example, selecting the "print" option from various computer applications is intended to result in a hardcopy emerging from some specific device). Any unexpected or undesirable behavior is a symptom. Troubleshooting is the process of isolating the specific cause or causes of the symptom. Frequently the symptom is a failure of the product or process to produce any results. (Nothing was printed, for example). Corrective action can then be taken to prevent further failures of a similar kind.
  • Operating System (Mentioned in 3.2% Job Postings): Maintaining software that runs on a computer that serves as an interface between computer hardware components and the user.
  • TCP/IP (Mentioned in 2.18% Job Postings): TCP/IP is a data link protocol used on the internet to let computers and other devices send and receive data across networks.
Skills Demand Percentage
Troubleshooting 8.7%
Operating System 3.2%
TCP/IP 2.18%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Network Administrator - Entry's salary.

  • Team Operations: Can increase your salary by up to 23%.
  • Time Management: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • OSPF: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Team Operations $84,185
23%
Time Management $75,287
10%
OSPF $75,287
10%
Get Latest Data

Network Administrator - Entry Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Network Administrator - Entry salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $76,488. While startup companies pay approximate $64,701.

Network Administrator - Entry Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $64,701
Growth Stage 51~500 $68,428
Established 501~5000 $73,859
Enterprise 5000+ $76,488

Network Administrator - Entry Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Network Administrator - Entry roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Network Administrator - Entry positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Network Administrator - Entry as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Network Administrator - Entry

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$82,132$39.020%
Biotechnology$82,132$39.020%
Energy & Utilities$82,132$39.020%
Financial Services$82,132$39.020%
Insurance$82,132$39.020%

How Education impacts a Network Administrator - Entry's Salary?

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

Typical Education for Network Administrator - Entry
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%
View as Graph

Network Administrator - Entry Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

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 September 01, 2026
$59,983
Average $68,443/year
$75,033
$4,999
Average $5,704/month
$6,253
$1,154
Average $1,316/week
$1,443
$29
Average $33/hour
$36
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $75,033 $6,253 $1,443 $36
Average $68,443 $5,704 $1,316 $33
25th Percentile $59,983 $4,999 $1,154 $29

Network Administrator - Entry Salary Growth & Career Path

Network Administrator - Entry

Next Role

Advancement

For 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.

Most common benefits for Network Administrator - Entry

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Network Administrator - Entry

Here are companies hiring for Network Administrator - Entry and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Network Administrator - Entry

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Network Administrator - Entry?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Network Administrator - Entry roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

2. Is CCNA good for entry-level?

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.

3. How many people pass CCNA first time?

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.

4. What admin job pays the most?

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.

5. How much does an entry level CCNA make in the US?

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.

6. What is the highest salary for a network administrator?

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.

7. Which IT jobs pay the most?

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.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

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.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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