Electrical Engineers vs Network and Computer Systems Administrators: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Electrical Engineers professionals earn $15,110 more per year than Network and Computer Systems Administrators professionals — that's 15.6% higher. At the 90th percentile, Electrical Engineers earns $175,460 compared to $150,320 for Network and Computer Systems Administrators.
Salary Range Comparison
Electrical Engineers$74,670 – $175,460
Network and Computer Systems Administrators$60,320 – $150,320
$60,320$175,460
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Electrical Engineers | Network and Computer Systems Administrators | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $74,670 | $60,320 | +$14,350 |
| 25th Percentile | $87,590 | $75,860 | +$11,730 |
| Median (50th) | $111,910 | $96,800 | +$15,110 |
| 75th Percentile | $141,630 | $123,390 | +$18,240 |
| 90th Percentile | $175,460 | $150,320 | +$25,140 |
| Mean (Average) | $120,980 | $101,190 | +$19,790 |
Employment Numbers
Electrical Engineers
188,790
employed nationwide
Network and Computer Systems Administrators
318,570
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Electrical Engineers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $186,920 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $163,840 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $136,820 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $135,480 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $134,900 |
Best Cities for Network and Computer Systems Administrators
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $128,620 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $127,030 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $124,050 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $119,150 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $113,030 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Electrical Engineers or Network and Computer Systems Administrators?
Electrical Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $15,110 (15.6% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Electrical Engineers?
Electrical Engineers salaries range from $74,670 (10th percentile) to $175,460 (90th percentile), with a median of $111,910.
What is the salary range for Network and Computer Systems Administrators?
Network and Computer Systems Administrators salaries range from $60,320 (10th percentile) to $150,320 (90th percentile), with a median of $96,800.
How many Electrical Engineers and Network and Computer Systems Administrators jobs are there?
There are approximately 188,790 Electrical Engineers positions and 318,570 Network and Computer Systems Administrators positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Network and Computer Systems Administrators to Electrical Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Electrical Engineers has a median salary of $111,910 while Network and Computer Systems Administrators earns $96,800. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS