Network and Computer Systems Administrators salary in California
Network and Computer Systems Administrators in California earn a median of $106,440 a year ($51.18 an hour), based on BLS data for 26,170 workers.
Pay ranges from $72,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $166,730 for the top 10%. That is 7% higher than the national median of $99,130. California ranks 6th of 51 states for network and computer systems administrators pay. There are 1.4 network and computer systems administrators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.71). The average (mean) salary is $115,210, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for network and computer systems administrators in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $72,400 | $34.81 |
| 25th percentile | $88,680 | $42.64 |
| Median | $106,440 | $51.18 |
| 75th percentile | $134,190 | $64.52 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $166,730 | $80.16 |
| Average (mean) | $115,210 | $55.39 |
Half of network and computer systems administrators earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $8,870 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,435 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,093.85 |
| Weekly | $2,046.92 |
| Hourly | $51.18 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Network and Computer Systems Administrators salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $133,360 | 2,460 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $129,680 | 3,910 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $118,810 | 140 |
| Vallejo, CA | $110,520 | 150 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $106,290 | 8,770 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $105,170 | 2,510 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $104,800 | 1,330 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $103,170 | 230 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $101,310 | 330 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $100,730 | 330 |
| Napa, CA | $100,360 | 120 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $99,030 | 1,540 |
| Modesto, CA | $99,000 | 160 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $98,520 | 400 |
| Salinas, CA | $98,340 | 150 |
| Merced, CA | $98,060 | 50 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $97,720 | 220 |
| Visalia, CA | $97,270 | 130 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $95,550 | 160 |
| Redding, CA | $92,690 | 60 |
| Fresno, CA | $92,200 | 520 |
| Yuba City, CA | $90,840 | 40 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $89,430 | 30 |
| El Centro, CA | $88,580 | 40 |
| Chico, CA | $84,280 | 90 |
Highest-paying states for network and computer systems administrators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Maryland | $118,290 |
| New Jersey | $116,420 |
| Massachusetts | $110,980 |
| District of Columbia | $110,970 |
| Virginia | $109,610 |
| California | $106,440 |
| Connecticut | $105,880 |
| New York | $105,810 |
| Washington | $103,910 |
| Nevada | $103,440 |
See Network and Computer Systems Administrators pay in every state.
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $174,410 | $83.85 |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $134,440 | $64.63 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $79,570 | $38.25 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $127,720 | $61.40 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $128,740 | $61.89 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designers | $136,110 | $65.44 |
| Information Security Analyst | $138,570 | $66.62 |
| Computer Network Architect | $158,870 | $76.38 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $79,190 | $38.07 |
| Computer Programmer | $116,760 | $56.13 |
| Computer and Information Research Scientists | $159,100 | $76.49 |
| Web Developer | $119,570 | $57.48 |
| Database Administrator | $113,060 | $54.35 |
| Database Architect | $170,160 | $81.81 |
More: Computer and Mathematical Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 15-1244. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a network and computer systems administrators make in California?
The median salary for network and computer systems administrators in California is $106,440 a year, or $51.18 an hour. Pay ranges from $72,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $166,730 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid network and computer systems administrators make in California?
The top 10% of network and computer systems administrators in California earn at least $166,730 a year. The top 25% earn $134,190 or more.
What is the starting pay for network and computer systems administrators in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $72,400 a year, and a quarter of network and computer systems administrators earn $88,680 or less.
How many network and computer systems administrators work in California?
About 26,170 network and computer systems administrators are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.