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Network / Systems Administration Manager Salary in the United States

How much does a Network / Systems Administration Manager make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Network / Systems Administration Manager in the United States is $134,450 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $65.

However, a Network / Systems Administration Manager's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $156,535
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $121,650 to $146,010
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $109,996

Key Factors That Influence Network / Systems Administration Manager Salaries

A Network / Systems Administration Manager'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.

Top Paying Cities for Network / Systems Administration Managers

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: $169,590
  • San Francisco: $167,730
  • Oakland: $164,190

What Skills Can Increase a Network / Systems Administration Manager's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 6.15% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Technical Support (Mentioned in 2% Job Postings): Offering hands-on assistance and solutions to end-users in addressing and troubleshooting technical issues.
  • Incident Management (Mentioned in 1.64% Job Postings): An incident is an event that could lead to loss of, or disruption to, an organization's operations, services or functions. Incident management (IcM) is a term describing the activities of an organization to identify, analyze, and correct hazards to prevent a future re-occurrence. These incidents within a structured organization are normally dealt with by either an incident response team (IRT), an incident management team (IMT), or Incident Command System (ICS). Without effective incident management, an incident can disrupt business operations, information security, IT systems, employees, customers, or other vital business functions.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 6.15%
Technical Support 2%
Incident Management 1.64%

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 / Systems Administration Manager's salary.

  • Managed Services: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Process Improvement: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
  • Disaster Recovery: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Managed Services $139,828
4%
Process Improvement $138,484
3%
Disaster Recovery $138,484
3%

Network / Systems Administration Manager Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Network / Systems Administration Manager salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $150,253. While startup companies pay approximate $127,099.

Network / Systems Administration Manager Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $127,099
Growth Stage 51~500 $134,420
Established 501~5000 $145,089
Enterprise 5000+ $150,253

Network / Systems Administration Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Network / Systems Administration Manager 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 Software & Networking and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 23% above the average. In contrast, Network / Systems Administration Manager positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Network / Systems Administration Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Network / Systems Administration Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$165,374$80.023%
Financial Services$158,651$76.018%
Pharmaceuticals$155,962$75.016%
Internet$151,928$73.013%
Biotechnology$147,895$71.010%

How Education impacts a Network / Systems Administration Manager's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Network / Systems Administration Managers enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree 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 / Systems Administration Manager with a Bachelor's Degree is between $134,354 and $142,479).

Network / Systems Administration Manager Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Network / Systems Administration Manager
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.7%
High School 24.2%
Associates 14.4%
Bachelors 46.8%
Masters 12.1%
Doctorate 0.8%

Network / Systems Administration Manager Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Network / Systems Administration Manager'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
$121,650
Average $134,450/year
$146,010
$10,138
Average $11,204/month
$12,168
$2,339
Average $2,586/week
$2,808
$58
Average $65/hour
$70
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $146,010 $12,168 $2,808 $70
Average $134,450 $11,204 $2,586 $65
25th Percentile $121,650 $10,138 $2,339 $58

Network / Systems Administration Manager Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Network / Systems Administration Manager, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Network / Systems Administration Manager Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
LAN/WAN Integration Design and Deployment Manager $111,900 -17%
Network Operations and Administration Senior Manager $158,650 18%

Most common benefits for Network / Systems Administration Manager

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

Common company salaries for Network / Systems Administration Manager

Here are companies hiring for Network / Systems Administration Manager and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Network / Systems Administration Manager

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Network / Systems Administration Manager?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Network / Systems Administration Manager roles, with salaries approximately 23% above the market median.

2. What is the highest paid job in networking?

The highest paid job in networking is typically the Network / Systems Administration Manager, with a salary range of $127,410 to $157,250 per year. This role often involves overseeing network operations, ensuring system security, and managing IT teams, making it a critical position in any organization.

3. What is the difference between a system administrator and a network administrator?

At the most basic level, the difference between these two roles is that a Network Administrator oversees the network (a group of computers connected together), while a System Administrator is in charge of the computer systems – all the parts that make a computer function. The salary for a Network/Systems Administration Manager ranges from $127,410 to $157,250, with a midpoint of $142,300.

4. What is the highest paying admin job?

The highest paying administrative job is the Network/Systems Administration Manager, with a salary range from $127,410 to $157,250, and a midpoint of $142,300. This role involves overseeing IT infrastructure and ensuring system efficiency, making it a critical position in organizations. Other high-paying admin roles include HR Administrator and Operations Manager.

5. Do system administrators make good money?

Yes, system administrators can earn a good salary. For a Network/Systems Administration Manager, the salary ranges from a minimum of $127,410 to a maximum of $157,250, with a median salary of $142,300. This indicates a strong earning potential in this field compared to the average salaries for general system administrators.

6. What is the highest salary of an admin?

The highest salary for a Network / Systems Administration Manager is $157,250 per year. The salary range typically starts at $127,410, with a midpoint of $142,300, reflecting the varying levels of experience and responsibility in the role.

7. How much do network managers make in the US?

As of now, the salary for a Network / Systems Administration Manager in the United States ranges from $127,410 to $157,250 annually, with a median salary of $142,300. This translates to approximately $61.24 to $75.61 per hour, or $2,404 to $3,020 per week.

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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