Network and Computer Systems Administrators
Also called: Application Security Administrator, Application Systems Administrator, Computer Support Specialist, Computer Systems Security Administrator (Computer Systems Security Admin), E-Mail System Administrator (Electronic Mail System Administrator), Enterprise Systems Administrator, Hardware Installation Coordinator, Information Systems Administrator
Install, configure, and maintain an organization's local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), data communications network, operating systems, and physical and virtual servers.
What network and computer systems administrators do
Typical tasks
- Plan, coordinate, and implement network security measures to protect data, software, and hardware.
- Perform data backups and disaster recovery operations.
- Diagnose, troubleshoot, and resolve hardware, software, or other network and system problems, and replace defective components when necessary.
- Maintain and administer computer networks and related computing environments, including computer hardware, systems software, applications software, and all configurations.
- Configure, monitor, and maintain email applications or virus protection software.
- Confer with network users about solutions to existing system problems.
- Operate master consoles to monitor the performance of computer systems and networks and to coordinate computer network access and use.
- Maintain logs related to network functions, as well as maintenance and repair records.
- Monitor network performance to determine whether adjustments are needed and where changes will be needed in the future.
- Design, configure, and test computer hardware, networking software and operating system software.
- Maintain an inventory of parts for emergency repairs.
- Perform routine network startup and shutdown procedures, and maintain control records.
Typical path into the job (BLS)
Network and Computer Systems Administrators salary
The median annual wage for network and computer systems administrators is $99,130 (BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35, national). The lowest 10 percent earn less than $62,640 and the highest 10 percent earn more than $155,050. The mean annual wage is $103,680.
The mean hourly wage of $49.00 is 6.8× the federal minimum wage of $7.25. State minimums are higher in most large states. Minimum wage by state →
How does your pay compare with people your age?
Your numbers are not sent or stored. The comparison uses this occupation's BLS wage percentiles, adjusted for age with BLS median weekly earnings by age group (Q3 2026).
Pay by percentile
Annual wage percentiles from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Percentiles are a good proxy for pay by experience.
Projected pay for Network and Computer Systems Administrators (3, 5 and 10 years)est.
Today $99,130 → in 3 years $104,300 → in 5 years $108,000 → in 10 years $117,600 (10-year range $101,200–$136,600). The model assumes pay growth of +1.7% per year.
What drives the annual growth rate
Projected pay = current pay × (1 + annual growth)^years. The annual growth rate starts from a base wage-growth rate and adds or subtracts labor demand (BLS projected employment growth), wage momentum and AI replacement risk for each occupation. Projections are not guarantees. How it is calculated →
Outlook score for Network and Computer Systems Administrators
Each component is a percentile rank among all occupations in the same country (0–100). Weights: labor demand 25, wage momentum / openings 15, pay level 15, AI resistance 25, aging workforce 10 (Japan only), entry barrier 10.
Will AI replace Network and Computer Systems Administrators? AI replacement risk
How AI is changing this job
A written analysis for this occupation is being prepared.
AI replacement risk compares the parts of a job that are easy to hand to AI or software (processing information, documentation, repetitive computer work) with the parts that are hard to automate (physical work, working closely with people, judgment in unpredictable settings), using O*NET work activities, work context, skills and knowledge. The result is a relative position among all occupations in the country, scaled to 0–100%. Methodology →
Labor demand for Network and Computer Systems Administrators
Employment projections are from the BLS Employment Projections program (2025–35). Annual openings include both new jobs and replacement of workers who leave the occupation.
The same job in Japan
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators United States | 運用・管理（IT） Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Median / average pay | $99,130 | ¥6.10M ≈ $38,776 |
| Pay in 10 years (est.) | $117,600 | ¥6.93M |
| Outlook score | 31 | 43 |
| AI replacement risk | 79% High | 85% Very high |
| Workers | 314K | — |
Matched by occupation (SOC code). Yen converted at 157.25 JPY/USD for reference; Japanese figures are averages, U.S. figures are medians, and the surveys define occupations differently.
Skills, education and requirements for Network and Computer Systems Administrators
Key skills
O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).
Key knowledge areas
What the work involves
Important abilities
Training before entry
Related work experience
Job Zone 3 — medium preparation needed (O*NET)
Difficulty of entry: ★★★☆☆ Moderate (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)
How to become network and computer systems administrators
A step-by-step guide for this occupation is being prepared. The education, training and experience data above show the typical path.
Career path and how to earn more as network and computer systems administrators
Career-path guidance is being prepared. Pay by percentile is shown in the Pay section.