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Network Administrator III Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Network Administrator III in the United States is $109,879 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $53.

However, a Network Administrator III's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $130,682
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $100,738 to $120,768
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $92,416

Key Factors That Influence Network Administrator III Salaries

A Network Administrator III'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 III Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Network Administrator III'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): $91,565
  • Network Administrator III (4-7 years): $109,879
  • Network Administrator IV (7+ years): $125,851
  • Network Administrator V (7-10 years): $146,671
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Network Administrator I0-2 years$73,499
Network Administrator II2-4 years$91,565
Network Administrator III4-7 years$109,879
Network Administrator IV7+ years$125,851
Network Administrator V7-10 years$146,671

Top Paying Cities for Network Administrator III

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: $138,590
  • San Francisco: $137,073
  • Oakland: $134,184

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Troubleshooting (Mentioned in 6.65% 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.
  • VMware (Mentioned in 3.01% Job Postings): Applying the VMware software to develop multiple virtual computer systems within a single server.
  • Computer Engineering (Mentioned in 2.13% Job Postings): Computer engineering is a branch of electrical engineering that integrates several fields of computer science and electronic engineering required to develop computer hardware and software.
Skills Demand Percentage
Troubleshooting 6.65%
VMware 3.01%
Computer Engineering 2.13%

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 III's salary.

  • Collaboration: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
  • Azure: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
  • Insight: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Collaboration $113,175
3%
Azure $113,175
3%
Insight $113,175
3%

Network Administrator III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Network Administrator III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $123,003. While startup companies pay approximate $104,058.

Network Administrator III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $104,058
Growth Stage 51~500 $110,053
Established 501~5000 $118,781
Enterprise 5000+ $123,003

Network Administrator III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Network Administrator III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 70% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Internet sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Network Administrator positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Network Administrator III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Network Administrator III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$153,831$74.040%
Internet$148,337$71.035%
Financial Services$142,843$69.030%
Energy & Utilities$137,349$66.025%
Aerospace & Defense$131,855$63.020%

How Education impacts an Network Administrator III's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Network Administrator III 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 III with a Bachelor's Degree is between $105,661 and $111,156.

Network Administrator III Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Network Administrator III
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.8%
High School 25.4%
Associates 20.7%
Bachelors 44.9%
Masters 7.8%
Doctorate 0.4%

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

Understanding how a Network Administrator III'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 August 01, 2026
$100,738
Average $109,879/year
$120,768
$8,395
Average $9,157/month
$10,064
$1,937
Average $2,113/week
$2,322
$48
Average $53/hour
$58
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $120,768 $10,064 $2,322 $58
Average $109,879 $9,157 $2,113 $53
25th Percentile $100,738 $8,395 $1,937 $48

Network Administrator III Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Network Administrator III, 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 Administrator III Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Client/Server Operations Supervisor $112,034 2%
LAN/WAN Integrator $119,447 9%
Network Administrator IV $125,851 15%

Most common benefits for Network Administrator III

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

Common company salaries for Network Administrator III

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

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FAQ about Network Administrator III

1. Where can a Network Administrator III earn the most?

A Network Administrator III's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Network Administrator III earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Network Administrator III is $138,590.

2. What is the highest pay for Network Administrator III?

The highest pay for Network Administrator III is $130,682.

3. What is the lowest pay for Network Administrator III?

The lowest pay for Network Administrator III is $92,416.

4. What are the responsibilities of Network Administrator III?

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 generally independent and collaborative in nature. Contributes to moderately complex aspects of a project. Typically requires 4-7 years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Network Administrator III?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Network Administrator III roles, with salaries approximately 40% above the market median.

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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