Network Manager Salary

Created by Henry Steele

By Henry Steele - January 8, 2018
Reading Time: 9 minutes
Reading Time: 9 minutes

The following article discusses the career path of Network Manager. Learn about how to become one, education requirements, job duties, traits and qualities, national salary outlook as well as top national employers of Network Managers.

Job Duties

Network managers make sure that every element of the network of the organization, and particularly the computers, are functioning properly. Usually, this means working outside of normal business hours. This is because computers can break down at any point during the day or night. It is also because software and hardware have to be upgraded regularly, which would lead to downtime if the upgrade is done during the day. Network managers have to make significant changes to the overall infrastructure of the organization, which must be completed during non-business hours so as not to restrict and interrupt normal workflow. It is common, therefore, for network managers to have a significant salary because they are paid for overtime as well.

Other job duties of network managers include:

  • Managing, controlling, and monitoring recovery if a network failure or some other issue has occurred
  • Approving configuration and network changes
  • Maintaining support contracts and warranty documentation for network software and hardware components
  • Ensuring that all data circuits are properly installed
  • Scheduling the update and installation of firmware and software patches, network devices, and other updates and upgrades

Where We Work

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 391,300 network and computer systems administrators in 2016. The largest employers of these professionals were:

  • Computer systems design and related services: 18%
  • Information: 11%
  • Educational services; state, local, and private: 10%
  • Finance and insurance: 9%
  • Management of companies and enterprises: 7%

How to Become

A bachelor’s degree in computer science, mathematics, information systems, or similar field is generally required. Additionally, it is expected that network managers have a personal interest in computer networks and technology.

Education Requirements

In certain organizations, a post-secondary certificate is all that is required, or perhaps an associate’s degree, in order for someone to become a network manager. However, this is increasingly rare and a bachelor’s degree is now the acceptable standard. The degree should be in a field that relates to information or computer science. Those that focus specifically on computer system and network administration have the greatest prospects.

However, it is equally acceptable for network managers to have a degree in electrical or computer engineering, for instance. This is because the role of a network manager is also closely related to maintaining equipment. What generally matters most is that they have completed classes in areas such as systems design, networking, and computer programming.

Network technology changes very rapidly and frequently. As a result, network managers have to be committed to lifelong learning. Throughout their career, they will have to attend IT conferences and training events to keep their knowledge up to date. This is why many now have a master’s degree.

There are no legal requirements for licensure or certification, but it is common for these managers to have to be certified at least in the systems they use themselves. These certifications and licenses come from some vendor-neutral providers, but mainly from vendors themselves. When someone has been certified, they can demonstrate they have the relevant knowledge to implement best practice standards. Cisco and Microsoft are examples of vendors offering respected certifications for network managers.

Traits & Qualities

The most effective network managers have the following traits to some degree or other:

  • Strong analytical skills
  • Excellent communication skills, both oral and written
  • Strong multitaskers
  • Excellent problem solving skills

Minimum Education

Bachelor’s Degree

National Salary

The national average salary estimate for Network Manager was $94,442. This number is estimated from over 446,824 employees, users past and present job advertisements from Indeed.com. This equates to an hourly salary of $49.19 and monthly of $7,870.

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$28,000

$199,000

Salary Distribution

Salary by State

The following section lists Network Manager salaries in each state around the country. The figures are based on the total number of job postings through Indeed.com. For example, Delaware had the largest quoted salary of $157,401 while North Dakota had the smallest quoted salary of $54,024.

ArkansasIdahoNorth CarolinaPennsylvania
ArizonaIllinoisNorth DakotaSouth Carolina
CaliforniaIndianaNebraskaTennessee
ColoradoKansasNew HampshireTexas
ConnecticutMassachusettsNew JerseyVirginia
DelawareMarylandNevadaWashington
FloridaMichiganNew YorkWisconsin
GeorgiaMinnesotaOhio
HawaiiMissouriOklahoma
Arkansas$64,031Rank: 33rd
The average salary ranks 33rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like TEKsystems.

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$14,000

$157,000

Salary Distribution
Arizona$86,638Rank: 19th
The average salary ranks 19th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Catalina Foothills School District, Advantage, State of Arizona, and Aerotek.

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$17,000

$210,000

Salary Distribution
California$100,785Rank: 8th
The average salary ranks 8th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Talented IT, AT&T, Apex Systems, and Peralta Community College District.

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$32,000

$206,000

Salary Distribution
Colorado$85,811Rank: 20th
The average salary ranks 20th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CyberCoders, Cybersearch, Ltd, Ampcus Inc, and TEKsystems.

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$20,000

$196,000

Salary Distribution
Connecticut$89,024Rank: 14th
The average salary ranks 14th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like SIMSBURY PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

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$33,000

$171,000

Salary Distribution
Delaware$157,401Rank: 1st
The average salary ranks 1st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like InfoStaff and Maganti IT Resources LLC.

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$60,000

$300,000

Salary Distribution
Florida$76,918Rank: 28th
The average salary ranks 28th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Robert Half Technology, AT&T, V Dart, Inc., and Xplocial.

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$23,000

$161,000

Salary Distribution
Georgia$108,736Rank: 5th
The average salary ranks 5th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Robert Half Technology, AT&T, Turner, and Valdosta State University.

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$43,000

$204,000

Salary Distribution
Hawaii$86,866Rank: 18th
The average salary ranks 18th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like National Security Agency and Interregional Med-Exec Group, Inc..

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$31,000

$170,000

Salary Distribution
Idaho$85,248Rank: 21st
The average salary ranks 21st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Elwood Staffing.

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$39,000

$148,000

Salary Distribution
Illinois$93,533Rank: 11th
The average salary ranks 11th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like AT&T, CyberCoders, Solution Partners Inc., and Swoon Group.

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$40,000

$169,000

Salary Distribution
Indiana$83,052Rank: 23rd
The average salary ranks 23rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Momentum LLC and Robert Half Technology.

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$40,000

$141,000

Salary Distribution
Kansas$76,819Rank: 29th
The average salary ranks 29th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Sprint, City Of Lawrence, and Personnel Services, Inc..

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$31,000

$143,000

Salary Distribution
Massachusetts$103,812Rank: 7th
The average salary ranks 7th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Robert Half Technology, CSI, TEKsystems, and WinterWyman.

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$37,000

$204,000

Salary Distribution
Maryland$87,665Rank: 16th
The average salary ranks 16th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Robert Half Technology, National Security Agency, and AR Source.

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$35,000

$163,000

Salary Distribution
Michigan$87,467Rank: 17th
The average salary ranks 17th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Robert Half Technology, AT&T, Tekwissen, and CyberCoders.

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$25,000

$186,000

Salary Distribution
Minnesota$111,573Rank: 4th
The average salary ranks 4th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Robert Half Technology, UnitedHealth Group, South Country Health Alliance, and The Bartech Group.

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$44,000

$208,000

Salary Distribution
Missouri$69,256Rank: 31st
The average salary ranks 31st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like AT&T and Kansas City Area Transportation Authority.

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$19,000

$149,000

Salary Distribution
North Carolina$84,220Rank: 22nd
The average salary ranks 22nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Robert Half Technology, AT&T, Asset Protectors, and Stratitude Inc.

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$26,000

$175,000

Salary Distribution
North Dakota$54,024Rank: 34th
The average salary ranks 34th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like DIRECTV & DISH.

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$21,000

$102,000

Salary Distribution
Nebraska$75,305Rank: 30th
The average salary ranks 30th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Robert Half Technology.

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$22,000

$160,000

Salary Distribution
New Hampshire$103,872Rank: 6th
The average salary ranks 6th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Kforce and CyberCoders.

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$47,000

$182,000

Salary Distribution
New Jersey$95,567Rank: 10th
The average salary ranks 10th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Joseph Harry Ltd, DAVIS LAW FIRM, Robert Half Technology, and Execu|Search.

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$32,000

$191,000

Salary Distribution
Nevada$117,834Rank: 3rd
The average salary ranks 3rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like iGate Corporation.

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$59,000

$183,000

Salary Distribution
New York$118,337Rank: 2nd
The average salary ranks 2nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Jump Start Recruitment on behalf of a confidential company, HMG America, C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, and CDI, Corporation.

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$36,000

$248,000

Salary Distribution
Ohio$78,917Rank: 27th
The average salary ranks 27th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Beacon Hill Staffing, Robert Half Technology, and Emerald Resource Group.

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$26,000

$159,000

Salary Distribution
Oklahoma$88,393Rank: 15th
The average salary ranks 15th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like PullSkill Technologies, Robert Half Technology, and Charter Global Inc.

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$36,000

$164,000

Salary Distribution
Pennsylvania$79,192Rank: 26th
The average salary ranks 26th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Kforce, Independence Blue Cross, University of Pittsburgh, and Beacon Hill Staffing.

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$21,000

$174,000

Salary Distribution
South Carolina$80,711Rank: 25th
The average salary ranks 25th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Robert Half Technology.

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$38,000

$138,000

Salary Distribution
Tennessee$67,433Rank: 32nd
The average salary ranks 32nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Robert Half Technology, AT&T, Knowledge Academies, Inc., and Mindlance.

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$19,000

$145,000

Salary Distribution
Texas$96,266Rank: 9th
The average salary ranks 9th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like National Security Agency, virtualtechgurus, AT&T, and Providence Partners and Associates.

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$35,000

$187,000

Salary Distribution
Virginia$92,470Rank: 12th
The average salary ranks 12th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like HRT – Hampton Roads Transit, NO LIMITS MARKETING GROUP, Skilltech Professionals, LLC, and Bowman Williams.

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$29,000

$191,000

Salary Distribution
Washington$91,240Rank: 13th
The average salary ranks 13th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CyberCoders, Ampcus Inc, and Robert Half Technology.

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$37,000

$168,000

Salary Distribution
Wisconsin$82,162Rank: 24th
The average salary ranks 24th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CyberCoders and Robert Half Technology.

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$28,000

$163,000

Salary Distribution

Top 20 National Employers

According to Indeed.com, the following states had employers looking to hire a Network Manager. The quoted salary figure represents the average salary from all job postings by this employer.

Employer NameLocationAverage Salary

Learn More

Related Careers

Career NameAverage Salary

Henry Steele
Managing Editor
Henry is Managing Editor of BusinessStudent.com. He is a seasoned business professional who regularly consults with local business's throughout Southern California. Henry pursued his undergrad in Business and Economics at the University of San Diego and gained valuable life changing experience through a unique internship upon graduation.

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