Network and Computer Systems Administrators Salary
In Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC, network and computer systems administrators earn $80,970 at the median, or about $38.93 an hour. The range runs from $50K at the entry level to $135K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 88.49), which stretches that salary to about $91,502 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,095/month, or 21% of estimated take-home pay.
So what does $81K get you in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton’s Regional Price Parity (88.49). 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 Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton
Pay for network and computer systems administrators in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton runs about 18% below the U.S. median of $99K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,095/month, 21.3% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 88.49 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 12% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Lower pay, lower costs, Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton can be a reasonable trade-off for network and computer systems administratorss who value affordability over top-dollar markets.
Compared to nearby metros
Median pay for network and computer systems administrators in metros near Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, adjusted for local cost of living.
| Metro | Median pay | COL-adjusted |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia | $90K | $92K |
| Raleigh-Cary | $103K | $105K |
| Durham-Chapel Hill | $111K | $113K |
| Greensboro-High Point | $89K | $95K |
COL-adjusted = median salary ÷ (BEA Regional Price Parity ÷ 100). Expresses purchasing power in national-average dollars.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
Entry-level network and computer systems administrators (10th percentile) start around $50K. Mid-career wages sit at $81K. Top earners bring in $135K or more, a $86K 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 Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton?
Yes — at the median salary of $81K, rent takes 21.3% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,095/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for network and computer systems administrators in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new network and computer systems administrators typically earn — is $50K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,975/month. At HUD’s $1,095/month FMR, rent would take 37% 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 Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton?
Local pay runs 18% below the national median — $81K here vs. $99K nationally. Cost of living is 12% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton compare to the national average for network and computer systems administrators?
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton pays $81K median vs. the U.S. average of $99K — that’s -18%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 88.49), the purchasing-power equivalent is $92K — below the national median.
How much do network and computer systems administrators make in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
The median is $80,970 a year, that works out to about $39 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $49,590, and experienced network and computer systems administrators can clear $135,360. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $81K enough to live in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,142/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,095/month, which eats 21.3% 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 Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton?
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton has a Regional Price Parity of 88.49 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median network and computer systems administrators salary is worth about $91,502 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.