Network and Computer Systems Administrators Salary
In California, network and computer systems administrators earn $106,440 at the median, or about $51.18 an hour. The range runs from $72K at the entry level to $167K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 106.14), so that salary is closer to $100,283 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,471/month, about 37.7% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across California. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $106K get you in California?
About network and computer systems administrators
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What this looks like in California
Network and computer systems administrators pay in California tracks closely to the national median, $106K locally vs. $99K nationwide, a 7% difference. The catch: housing math doesn't keep up. A 2-bedroom at the HUD median rents for $2,471/month, which is 38.4% of the median worker's take-home, past the 30% guideline most planners use. Cost-of-living overall is 6% above the national average (BEA RPP 106.14), so groceries and services cost more too. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, California
Entry-level network and computer systems administrators (10th percentile) start around $72K. Mid-career wages sit at $106K. Top earners bring in $167K or more, a $94K spread from bottom to top.
Network and Computer Systems Administrators salary by metro in California
25 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $133K | +25% | 2,460 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $130K | +22% | 3,910 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville | $119K | +12% | 140 |
| Vallejo | $111K | +4% | 150 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $106K | -0% | 8,770 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $105K | -1% | 2,510 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $105K | -2% | 1,330 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | $103K | -3% | 230 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | $101K | -5% | 330 |
| Bakersfield-Delano | $101K | -5% | 330 |
| Napa | $100K | -6% | 120 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $99K | -7% | 1,540 |
| Modesto | $99K | -7% | 160 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | $99K | -7% | 400 |
| Salinas | $98K | -8% | 150 |
| Merced | $98K | -8% | 50 |
| Stockton-Lodi | $98K | -8% | 220 |
| Visalia | $97K | -9% | 130 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles | $96K | -10% | 160 |
| Redding | $93K | -13% | 60 |
| Fresno | $92K | -13% | 520 |
| Yuba City | $91K | -15% | 40 |
| Hanford-Corcoran | $89K | -16% | 30 |
| El Centro | $89K | -17% | 40 |
| Chico | $84K | -21% | 90 |
Showing 1–10 of 25 metros
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BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when California numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a network and computer systems administrator afford a 2BR apartment alone in California?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $106K, rent takes 38.4% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,471/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,900/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for network and computer systems administrators in California?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new network and computer systems administrators typically earn — is $72K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,344/month. At HUD’s $2,471/month FMR, rent would take 57% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is network and computer systems administrator a high-paying job in California?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $106K locally vs. $99K nationally, a 7% difference.
How does California compare to the national average for network and computer systems administrators?
California pays $106K median vs. the U.S. average of $99K — that’s +7%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 106.14), the purchasing-power equivalent is $100K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do network and computer systems administrators make in California?
The median is $106,440 a year, that works out to about $51 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $72,400, and experienced network and computer systems administrators can clear $166,730. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $106K enough to live in California?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,436/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,471/month, which eats 38.4% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a network and computer systems administrators salary go in California?
California has a Regional Price Parity of 106.14 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median network and computer systems administrators salary is worth about $100,283 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do network and computer systems administrators get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.