Network and Computer Systems Administrators Salary
In Montana, network and computer systems administrators earn $80,950 at the median, or about $38.92 an hour. The range runs from $61K at the entry level to $108K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 97), that's roughly $83,454 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,129/month, or 22.1% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Montana. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $81K get you in Montana?
About network and computer systems administrators
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What this looks like in Montana
Pay for network and computer systems administrators in Montana runs about 18% below the U.S. median of $99K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,129/month, 22% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Cost of living (RPP 97) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Lower pay, lower costs, Montana 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, Montana
Entry-level network and computer systems administrators (10th percentile) start around $61K. Mid-career wages sit at $81K. Top earners bring in $108K or more, a $47K spread from bottom to top.
Network and Computer Systems Administrators salary by metro in Montana
5 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Helena | $82K | +2% | 200 |
| Bozeman | $81K | +0% | 110 |
| Billings | $81K | -0% | 130 |
| Missoula | $78K | -4% | 100 |
| Great Falls | $69K | -15% | 50 |
Compare to other states
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BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Montana numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a network and computer systems administrator afford a 2BR apartment alone in Montana?
Yes — at the median salary of $81K, rent takes 22% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,129/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for network and computer systems administrators in Montana?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new network and computer systems administrators typically earn — is $61K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,653/month. At HUD’s $1,129/month FMR, rent would take 31% 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 Montana?
Local pay runs 18% below the national median — $81K here vs. $99K nationally.
How does Montana compare to the national average for network and computer systems administrators?
Montana pays $81K median vs. the U.S. average of $99K — that’s -18%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 97), the purchasing-power equivalent is $83K — below the national median.
How much do network and computer systems administrators make in Montana?
The median is $80,950 a year, that works out to about $39 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $60,890, and experienced network and computer systems administrators can clear $108,290. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $81K enough to live in Montana?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,139/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,129/month, which eats 22% 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 Montana?
Montana has a Regional Price Parity of 97 (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 $83,454 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.