Network and Computer Systems Administrators Salary
In Washington, network and computer systems administrators earn $103,910 at the median, or about $49.96 an hour. The range runs from $68K at the entry level to $155K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 102.01), that's roughly $101,863 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,830/month, or 26.3% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Washington. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $104K get you in Washington?
About network and computer systems administrators
Sponsored links, AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
What this looks like in Washington
Network and computer systems administrators pay in Washington tracks closely to the national median, $104K locally vs. $99K nationwide, a 5% difference. Rent runs $1,830/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 26.9% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 102.01) 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.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Washington
Entry-level network and computer systems administrators (10th percentile) start around $68K. Mid-career wages sit at $104K. Top earners bring in $155K or more, a $87K spread from bottom to top.
Network and Computer Systems Administrators salary by metro in Washington
11 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater | $113K | +8% | 800 |
| Longview-Kelso | $108K | +4% | 50 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | $104K | +1% | 5,530 |
| Bellingham | $101K | -3% | 190 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes | $100K | -4% | 90 |
| Yakima | $98K | -5% | 110 |
| Kennewick-Richland | $98K | -6% | 220 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard | $96K | -7% | 130 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley | $95K | -9% | 410 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee | $94K | -10% | 80 |
| Walla Walla | $91K | -13% | 30 |
Showing 1–10 of 11 metros
Compare to other states
Track network and computer systems administrators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Washington numbers change.
Related careers in Technology
Frequently asked questions
Can a network and computer systems administrator afford a 2BR apartment alone in Washington?
Yes — at the median salary of $104K, rent takes 26.9% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,830/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for network and computer systems administrators in Washington?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new network and computer systems administrators typically earn — is $68K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,050/month. At HUD’s $1,830/month FMR, rent would take 45% 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 Washington?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $104K locally vs. $99K nationally, a 5% difference.
How does Washington compare to the national average for network and computer systems administrators?
Washington pays $104K median vs. the U.S. average of $99K — that’s +5%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 102.01), the purchasing-power equivalent is $102K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do network and computer systems administrators make in Washington?
The median is $103,910 a year, that works out to about $50 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $67,500, and experienced network and computer systems administrators can clear $154,620. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $104K enough to live in Washington?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,791/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,830/month, which eats 26.9% 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 Washington?
Washington has a Regional Price Parity of 102.01 (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 $101,863 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.