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Hourly Wage for Network Administrator I Salary in the United States

What is the hourly salary range of Network Administrator I?

As of September 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for a Network Administrator I in the United States is $35, which translates to an annual salary of about $73,499.

However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $41 per hour
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $33 to $38 per hour
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $31 per hour
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Network Administrator I Salaries

A Network Administrator I'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.

How Experience Level Affects Network Administrator I Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Network Administrator I'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:

  • Network Administrator I (0-2 years): $73,499
  • Network Administrator II (2-4 years): $91,564
  • Network Administrator III (4-7 years): $109,884
  • Network Administrator IV (7+ years): $125,855
  • Network Administrator V (7-10 years): $146,670
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Network Administrator I0-2 years$73,499
Network Administrator II2-4 years$91,564
Network Administrator III4-7 years$109,884
Network Administrator IV7+ years$125,855
Network Administrator V7-10 years$146,670
View as Graph

How Do Network Administrator I 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 Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $81,378.
  • California: $81,069.
  • Massachusetts: $79,989.

Top Paying Cities for Network Administrator Is

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: $92,704
  • San Francisco: $91,689
  • Oakland: $89,757

What Skills Can Increase a Network Administrator I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 6.56% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • VMware (Mentioned in 3.05% Job Postings): Applying the VMware software to develop multiple virtual computer systems within a single server.
  • Installation (Mentioned in 2.15% Job Postings): The action or process of installing someone or something, or of being installed. the act of installing the state of being installed, something that is installed for use.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 6.56%
VMware 3.05%
Installation 2.15%
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 I's salary.

  • Computer Engineering: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Consulting: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Cybersecurity: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Computer Engineering $80,114
9%
Consulting $77,909
6%
Cybersecurity $77,909
6%
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Network Administrator I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Network Administrator I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $82,138. While startup companies pay approximate $69,481.

Network Administrator I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $69,481
Growth Stage 51~500 $73,483
Established 501~5000 $79,315
Enterprise 5000+ $82,138

Network Administrator I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Network Administrator I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Network Administrator positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Network Administrator I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Network Administrator I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$95,549$46.030%
Pharmaceuticals$88,199$42.020%
Software & Networking$88,199$42.020%
Energy & Utilities$84,524$41.015%
Internet$84,524$41.015%

How Education impacts a Network Administrator I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Network Administrator I enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Network Administrator I with a Bachelor's Degree is between $67,602 and $71,526.

Network Administrator I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Network Administrator I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.7%
High School 22.9%
Associates 33.4%
Bachelors 38.8%
Masters 4.2%
Doctorate 0.1%
View as Graph

Network Administrator I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Network Administrator I'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
$69,095
Average $73,499/year
$79,684
$5,758
Average $6,125/month
$6,640
$1,329
Average $1,413/week
$1,532
$33
Average $35/hour
$38
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $79,684 $6,640 $1,532 $38
Average $73,499 $6,125 $1,413 $35
25th Percentile $69,095 $5,758 $1,329 $33

Most common benefits for Network Administrator I

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

Common company salaries for Network Administrator I

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

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FAQ about Network Administrator I

1. What are the responsibilities of Network Administrator I?

Responsible for the daily administration of a network and server environment. Installs, configures, and maintains system software. Monitors network performance, troubleshoots issues, and deploys solutions. Documents network issues and events using standard formats. Plans and implements upgrades, patches, and new applications and equipment installation. Uses scripting and writes basic programs to automate processes. Maintains and follows disaster recovery, security, backup, and restore plans. May evaluate new tools or equipment and perform analysis/feasibility studies to guide decisions on optimizing network performance. Typically requires a bachelor's degree. May require Network Administrator Certification. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. Work is closely managed. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience.

2. What are the skills of Network Administrator I

Specify the abilities and skills that a person needs in order to carry out the specified job duties. Each competency has five to ten behavioral assertions that can be observed, each with a corresponding performance level (from one to five) that is required for a particular job.

1.)

Analysis: Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.

2.)

VMware: Applying the VMware software to develop multiple virtual computer systems within a single server.

3.)

Installation: The action or process of installing someone or something, or of being installed. the act of installing the state of being installed, something that is installed for use.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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