Network and Computer Systems Administrators Salary
In Illinois, network and computer systems administrators earn $100,080 at the median, or about $48.12 an hour. The range runs from $66K at the entry level to $158K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 93.85), which stretches that salary to about $106,638 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,407/month, or 22.2% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Illinois. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $100K get you in Illinois?
About network and computer systems administrators
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What this looks like in Illinois
Network and computer systems administrators pay in Illinois tracks closely to the national median, $100K locally vs. $99K nationwide, a 1% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,407/month, 22.9% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 93.85 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 6% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Illinois
Entry-level network and computer systems administrators (10th percentile) start around $66K. Mid-career wages sit at $100K. Top earners bring in $158K or more, a $92K spread from bottom to top.
Network and Computer Systems Administrators salary by metro in Illinois
8 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Springfield | $111K | +11% | 520 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin | $103K | +3% | 6,950 |
| Peoria | $103K | +3% | 330 |
| Bloomington | $98K | -2% | 140 |
| Decatur | $95K | -5% | 50 |
| Rockford | $92K | -8% | 170 |
| Champaign-Urbana | $85K | -15% | 180 |
| Kankakee | $79K | -21% | 50 |
Compare to other states
Track network and computer systems administrators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Illinois numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a network and computer systems administrator afford a 2BR apartment alone in Illinois?
Yes — at the median salary of $100K, rent takes 22.9% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,407/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for network and computer systems administrators in Illinois?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new network and computer systems administrators typically earn — is $66K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,939/month. At HUD’s $1,407/month FMR, rent would take 36% 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 Illinois?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $100K locally vs. $99K nationally, a 1% difference.
How does Illinois compare to the national average for network and computer systems administrators?
Illinois pays $100K median vs. the U.S. average of $99K — that’s +1%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 93.85), the purchasing-power equivalent is $107K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do network and computer systems administrators make in Illinois?
The median is $100,080 a year, that works out to about $48 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $65,650, and experienced network and computer systems administrators can clear $157,800. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $100K enough to live in Illinois?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,153/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,407/month, which eats 22.9% 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 Illinois?
Illinois has a Regional Price Parity of 93.85 (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 $106,638 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.