The median annual wage of network and computer systems administrators was $69,160 in May 2010. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $42,400, and the top 10 percent earned more than $108,090.
Network and computer systems administrators are employed in many different industries, and pay varies by industry. The following table shows the median annual wages of these workers in some industries in which they are employed:
| Computer systems design and related services | $74,230 |
| Finance and insurance | 72,660 |
| Manufacturing | 67,870 |
| Health care and social assistance | 64,560 |
| Educational services; state, local, and private | 59,230 |
In 2010, over 90 percent of network and computer systems administrators worked full time. Most organizations depend on their computer networks, so many administrators work overtime to ensure that the networks are operating properly. Administrators may have to be at work outside of normal business hours to resolve problems.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition