Entry-level Network Administrator salary in Chicago, IL
Based on 44 certified H-1B filings at DOL wage level I in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Schaumburg, Naperville, Aurora, Northbrook, Waukegan.
Also listed as: Systems Administrator
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $67,038 |
| 25th | $68,539 |
| 50th (median) | $69,638 |
| 75th | $75,000 |
| 90th | $85,000 |
Salary by year
Median salary
Filings per year
Show as table
| Fiscal year | Median | P25 | P75 | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | $69,900 | $58,901 | $74,797 | 11 |
| FY2021 | $65,500 | $62,822 | $66,560 | 12 |
| FY2022 | $63,029 | $62,962 | $72,750 | 12 |
| FY2023 | – | – | – | 9 |
| FY2024 | $61,755 | $61,755 | $66,050 | 19 |
| FY2025 | $67,319 | $67,038 | $71,410 | 18 |
| FY2026 | $70,000 | $69,638 | $78,081 | 26 |
Cost of living
Chicago's median entry-level Network Administrator salary of $69,638 is worth about $67,200 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Chicago = 103.6).
Compared with all workers here
All Network and Computer Systems Administrators in the Chicago, IL area earned a median of $103,170 in May 2025 (6,950 employed). The H-1B median here is $69,638, 33% lower.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS metropolitan area estimates. BLS wages include some incentive pay; H-1B figures are base salary.
Employers filing at this level
| Employer | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Synapsiq | too few | 3 |
| Trovetechs | too few | 3 |
| Core-Mark | too few | 2 |
| Neosis It Solutions | too few | 2 |
| Skywalk Global | too few | 2 |
Employers with at least 2 filings here. Median shown at 10+ filings.
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | $69,638 | 44 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $86,486 | 185 |
| Senior · Level III | $103,334 | 79 |
| Expert · Level IV | $128,100 | 53 |
Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.
Minimum H-1B salary by level
| Wage level | Prevailing wage (most common) | Median offered salary | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | $69,638 | $69,638 | 44 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $82,659 | $86,486 | 185 |
| Senior · Level III | $103,334 | $103,334 | 79 |
| Expert · Level IV | $120,182 | $128,100 | 53 |
The prevailing wage is the minimum an employer must pay for this job and area. Amounts vary by county within a metro and by wage source.