Network and Computer Systems Administrators Salary
In Charleston-North Charleston, SC, network and computer systems administrators earn $97,480 at the median, or about $46.86 an hour. The range runs from $65K at the entry level to $148K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 100.96), that's roughly $96,553 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,787/month, or 29% of estimated take-home pay.
So what does $97K get you in Charleston-North Charleston?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Charleston-North Charleston’s Regional Price Parity (100.96). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About network and computer systems administrators
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What this looks like in Charleston-North Charleston
Network and computer systems administrators pay in Charleston-North Charleston tracks closely to the national median, $97K locally vs. $99K nationwide, a 2% difference. Rent runs $1,787/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 29.6% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 100.96) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Pay and costs are both near average, leaving limited margin for savings at the median wage.
Compared to nearby metros
Median pay for network and computer systems administrators in metros near Charleston-North Charleston, adjusted for local cost of living.
| Metro | Median pay | COL-adjusted |
|---|---|---|
| Columbia | $87K | $93K |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer | $96K | $103K |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach | $87K | $93K |
| Spartanburg | $89K | $98K |
COL-adjusted = median salary ÷ (BEA Regional Price Parity ÷ 100). Expresses purchasing power in national-average dollars.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Charleston-North Charleston, SC
Entry-level network and computer systems administrators (10th percentile) start around $65K. Mid-career wages sit at $97K. Top earners bring in $148K or more, a $83K spread from bottom to top.
Network and Computer Systems Administrators pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
View Network and Computer Systems Administrators salary in all states
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | $118K | +19% | 9,230 |
| New Jersey | $116K | +17% | 9,280 |
| Massachusetts | $111K | +12% | 8,270 |
| District of Columbia | $111K | +12% | 1,320 |
| Virginia | $110K | +11% | 12,430 |
| California | $106K | +7% | 26,170 |
| Connecticut | $106K | +7% | 2,170 |
| New York | $106K | +7% | 18,220 |
| Washington | $104K | +5% | 8,600 |
| Nevada | $103K | +4% | 1,980 |
| Colorado | $103K | +4% | 8,360 |
| Rhode Island | $103K | +4% | 1,060 |
| Oregon | $102K | +3% | 4,880 |
| Minnesota | $102K | +3% | 4,550 |
| Hawaii | $101K | +2% | 1,490 |
| Texas | $101K | +2% | 34,840 |
| New Hampshire | $100K | +1% | 1,660 |
| Illinois | $100K | +1% | 9,820 |
| Ohio | $98K | -2% | 15,130 |
| Alaska | $98K | -2% | 920 |
| Georgia | $97K | -2% | 9,190 |
| Utah | $96K | -3% | 2,050 |
| North Carolina | $95K | -4% | 13,850 |
| Florida | $95K | -4% | 26,890 |
| Delaware | $94K | -5% | 850 |
| Michigan | $93K | -6% | 6,900 |
| South Carolina | $93K | -7% | 3,580 |
| Idaho | $92K | -7% | 1,010 |
| New Mexico | $91K | -8% | 1,220 |
| Arizona | $90K | -9% | 5,810 |
| Louisiana | $90K | -9% | 1,790 |
| Tennessee | $88K | -11% | 5,070 |
| Kentucky | $87K | -12% | 2,800 |
| North Dakota | $86K | -13% | 930 |
| Pennsylvania | $86K | -13% | 7,750 |
| Vermont | $86K | -13% | 560 |
| Nebraska | $85K | -15% | 1,560 |
| Indiana | $85K | -15% | 4,310 |
| Iowa | $85K | -15% | 3,110 |
| Oklahoma | $84K | -15% | 2,580 |
| Maine | $84K | -15% | 920 |
| Wisconsin | $84K | -16% | 8,470 |
| Kansas | $83K | -16% | 4,100 |
| Arkansas | $82K | -18% | 1,750 |
| Alabama | $81K | -18% | 5,040 |
| Montana | $81K | -18% | 850 |
| Missouri | $81K | -18% | 5,810 |
| Mississippi | $80K | -19% | 1,380 |
| Wyoming | $75K | -24% | 610 |
| South Dakota | $75K | -24% | 1,690 |
| West Virginia | $74K | -25% | 1,510 |
Showing 1–10 of 51 (all 50 states + DC)
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Frequently asked questions
Can a network and computer systems administrator afford a 2BR apartment alone in Charleston-North Charleston?
Yes — at the median salary of $97K, rent takes 29.6% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,787/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for network and computer systems administrators in Charleston-North Charleston?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new network and computer systems administrators typically earn — is $65K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,895/month. At HUD’s $1,787/month FMR, rent would take 46% 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 Charleston-North Charleston?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $97K locally vs. $99K nationally, a 2% difference.
How does Charleston-North Charleston compare to the national average for network and computer systems administrators?
Charleston-North Charleston pays $97K median vs. the U.S. average of $99K — that’s -2%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 100.96), the purchasing-power equivalent is $97K — below the national median.
How much do network and computer systems administrators make in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The median is $97,480 a year, that works out to about $47 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $64,920, and experienced network and computer systems administrators can clear $148,380. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $97K enough to live in Charleston-North Charleston?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,029/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,787/month, which eats 29.6% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a network and computer systems administrators salary go in Charleston-North Charleston?
Charleston-North Charleston has a Regional Price Parity of 100.96 (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 $96,553 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.