Network Administrator Salary in Illinois
Based on 10K+ workers in Illinois
Median Annual Salary (IL)
$100,080
$48.12/hr
vs National Average
$93,687
+6.8% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$66K – $158K
10K employed in Illinois
Network Administrator salary in Illinois averages $100,080 per year, with the state sitting 7% above the national average. Approximately 9,820 network administrators work throughout Illinois, making it a solid job market for IT professionals. Salaries in the state range from $65,650 to $157,800, reflecting significant variation based on experience and employer type.
Several factors influence network administrator compensation across Illinois. Experience level plays a major role, with senior administrators commanding higher salaries than entry-level positions. Company size and industry also matter considerably—larger corporations and financial institutions typically offer better pay than smaller firms. Geographic location within Illinois, certifications, and specialized technical skills further impact earning potential in this competitive field.
Salary Distribution — Network Administrator in Illinois
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $65,650 |
| 25th percentile | $79,520 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $100,080 |
| 75th percentile | $128,790 |
| 90th percentile | $157,800 |
Top H-1B Employers for Network Administrator in Illinois
Companies that filed the most H-1B (LCA) applications for this role in Illinois — ranked by application count.
| # | Employer | Applications | Median Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | COGNIZANT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS US CORP | 10 | $103,334 |
| 2 | Medline Industries, LP. | 6 | $139,292 |
| 3 | Cisco Systems, Inc. | 5 | $94,200 |
| 4 | Trovetechs Inc | 4 | $70,000 |
| 5 | Innovative Consulting Solutions LLC | 3 | $86,486 |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor OFLC LCA Disclosure Data, FY2026.
Network Administrator H-1B Salary by Wage Level in Illinois
DOL prevailing wage levels approximate seniority — Level I is entry-level, Level IV is senior/expert. Based on certified H-1B (LCA) filings in Illinois.
| Wage Level | Experience | Median Salary | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level I | Entry-level | $70,360 | 14 |
| Level II | Qualified | $86,486 | 40 |
| Level III | Experienced | $103,954 | 20 |
| Level IV | Senior / Expert | $135,585 | 17 |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor OFLC LCA Disclosure Data, FY2026. Based on certified filings with a disclosed wage level.
Top-Paying Industries for Network Administrator (U.S.)
Which industries pay Network Administrators the most — nationwide figures (industry-level data is not available by state). Network Administrators in Illinois tend to follow these industry patterns.
| Industry (U.S.) | Median Salary | Employed (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|
| Utilities | $108,200 | 2K |
| Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | $107,850 | 770 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $103,810 | 23K |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $102,990 | 82K |
| Information | $101,310 | 24K |
Source: U.S. BLS OEWS National Industry-Specific estimates, May 2025. National figures (not state-specific).
Historical Salary Trend — Network Administrator in Illinois vs National
| Year | Median Salary (Illinois) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $85,570 |
| 2023 | $93,920 |
| 2024 | $96,640 |
| 2025 | $100,080 |
| 2026 (projected) | $103,642 |
The latest year is a projection based on recent wage trends — BLS has not yet released that year’s data.
| Year | Illinois Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $85,570 | $87,228 |
| 2023 | $93,920 | $89,739 |
| 2024 | $96,640 | $91,050 |
| 2025 | $100,080 | $93,687 |
| 2026 (projected) | $103,642 | $97,022 |
Network Administrator Salary by Experience Level in Illinois
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $79,520 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $100,080 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $128,790 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $157,800 |
Network Administrator Salary in Other States
Related Network Administrator Salaries in Illinois
How other high-demand occupations in Illinois compare to Network Administrator ($100,080 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Network Administrator | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Systems Manager in IL | $171,730 | +71.6% | $82.56/hr |
| Database Administrator in IL | $142,500 | +42.4% | $68.51/hr |
| Computer and Information Research Scientist in IL | $136,540 | +36.4% | $65.64/hr |
| Computer Hardware Engineer in IL | $133,220 | +33.1% | $64.05/hr |
| Computer Network Architect in IL | $132,790 | +32.7% | $63.84/hr |
| Software Developer in IL | $132,110 | +32.0% | $63.51/hr |
| Information Security Analyst in IL | $124,180 | +24.1% | $59.70/hr |
| Statistician in IL | $119,760 | +19.7% | $57.58/hr |
| Data Scientist in IL | $106,560 | +6.5% | $51.23/hr |
| Computer Systems Analyst in IL | $101,570 | +1.5% | $48.83/hr |
| Software Engineer in IL | $99,360 | -0.7% | $47.77/hr |
| Operations Research Analyst in IL | $89,800 | -10.3% | $43.17/hr |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do network administrators make in Illinois?
- Network administrators in Illinois earn a median salary of $100,080 per year, or $48 per hour. This is 6.8% higher than the national average for this position.
What is the salary range for network administrators in Illinois?
- Network administrator salaries in Illinois range from $65,650 at the low end to $157,800 at the high end, depending on experience, skills, and employer.
How many network administrators work in Illinois?
- There are currently 9,820 network administrators employed in Illinois, representing a stable job market for IT professionals in the state.
Is the network administrator salary in Illinois above the national average?
- Yes, Illinois network administrators earn 6.8% more than the national average, with a median salary of $100,080 compared to lower national figures.