Skip to content
AffordMap
Salary comparison

Network and Computer Systems Administrators vs. Computer User Support Specialists: Who Earns More?

Network and Computer Systems Administratorss out-earn Computer User Support Specialistss by $37K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Network and Computer Systems Administratorss land at $99,130 and Computer User Support Specialistss at $61,860. The education gap is real: network and computer systems administrator programs typically require bachelor's degree, while computer user support specialist programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for Network and Computer Systems Administratorss is Maryland ($118,290); for Computer User Support Specialistss it's District of Columbia ($80,950).

Network and Computer Systems Administrators
Computer User Support Specialists
Median salary
$99,130
$61,860
Hourly rate
$47.66/hr
$29.74/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$62,640
$40,980
Senior level (90th %)
$155,050
$100,540
Education required
Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
U.S. employment
314,340
717,190
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
N/A
Category
Technology
Technology
Top-paying state
Maryland
District of Columbia

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Network and Computer Systems Administrators median pay.

State
Network and Computer Systems Administrators
Computer User Support Specialists
Maryland
$118,290
$64,750
New Jersey
$116,420
$64,470
Massachusetts
$110,980
$75,070
District of Columbia
$110,970
$80,950
Virginia
$109,610
$65,040
California
$106,440
$79,570
Connecticut
$105,880
$70,210
New York
$105,810
$72,560
Washington
$103,910
$75,220
Colorado
$103,370
$71,900
Oregon
$102,000
$62,840
Minnesota
$101,870
$63,630
Alaska
$97,500
$63,110
Vermont
$86,020
$63,030
Wyoming
$75,220
$65,100

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Network and Computer Systems Administratorss or Computer User Support Specialistss?

Network and Computer Systems Administratorss earn more nationally. The median is $99,130 for Network and Computer Systems Administratorss versus $61,860 for Computer User Support Specialistss, a difference of $37K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Network and Computer Systems Administrators or Computer User Support Specialists?

BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.

Which requires more education, Network and Computer Systems Administrators or Computer User Support Specialists?

Network and Computer Systems Administrators typically requires bachelor's degree. Computer User Support Specialists requires bachelor's degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Network and Computer Systems Administratorss get paid the most?

Maryland is the top-paying state for Network and Computer Systems Administratorss at $118,290/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Network and Computer Systems Administrators vs. Computer User Support Specialists pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Maryland, Network and Computer Systems Administratorss earn $118,290 vs. $64,750 for Computer User Support Specialistss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Network and Computer Systems Administrators salary breakdownView →Full Computer User Support Specialists salary breakdownView →Best cities for Network and Computer Systems Administratorss by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Computer User Support Specialistss by take-home payExplore →How to become a network and computer systems administratorsGuide →How to become a computer user support specialistsGuide →