Network and Computer Systems Administrators Salary
In Iowa, network and computer systems administrators earn $84,500 at the median, or about $40.62 an hour. The range runs from $60K at the entry level to $131K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 88.86), which stretches that salary to about $95,093 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,064/month, or 19.9% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Iowa. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $85K get you in Iowa?
About network and computer systems administrators
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What this looks like in Iowa
Pay for network and computer systems administrators in Iowa runs about 15% below the U.S. median of $99K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,064/month, 20.1% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 88.86 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 11% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Lower pay, lower costs, Iowa can be a reasonable trade-off for network and computer systems administratorss who value affordability over top-dollar markets.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Iowa
Entry-level network and computer systems administrators (10th percentile) start around $60K. Mid-career wages sit at $85K. Top earners bring in $131K or more, a $71K spread from bottom to top.
Network and Computer Systems Administrators salary by metro in Iowa
8 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids | $93K | +11% | 360 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines | $90K | +6% | 1,000 |
| Iowa City | $88K | +4% | 220 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island | $84K | -1% | 300 |
| Dubuque | $83K | -2% | 110 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls | $82K | -3% | 150 |
| Ames | $78K | -8% | 90 |
| Sioux City | $77K | -9% | 150 |
Compare to other states
Track network and computer systems administrators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Iowa numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a network and computer systems administrator afford a 2BR apartment alone in Iowa?
Yes — at the median salary of $85K, rent takes 20.1% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,064/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for network and computer systems administrators in Iowa?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new network and computer systems administrators typically earn — is $60K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,588/month. At HUD’s $1,064/month FMR, rent would take 30% of that take-home — manageable on an entry-level income.
Is network and computer systems administrator a high-paying job in Iowa?
Local pay runs 15% below the national median — $85K here vs. $99K nationally. Cost of living is 11% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does Iowa compare to the national average for network and computer systems administrators?
Iowa pays $85K median vs. the U.S. average of $99K — that’s -15%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 88.86), the purchasing-power equivalent is $95K — below the national median.
How much do network and computer systems administrators make in Iowa?
The median is $84,500 a year, that works out to about $41 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $59,800, and experienced network and computer systems administrators can clear $130,530. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $85K enough to live in Iowa?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,287/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,064/month, which eats 20.1% 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 Iowa?
Iowa has a Regional Price Parity of 88.86 (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 $95,093 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.