October 14, 2026
Network systems administrators in BC earn a median of $31.25 an hour, according to Job Bank wage data for NOC 22220. Most workers in this occupation earn between $20.00 and $49.04 an hour. That headline number is only the start. Regional figures, annual salary estimates and job titles all tell a more complicated story, and this guide explains what each one means for your plans.
How Much Does a Network Systems Administrator Make in BC?
A network systems administrator in BC earns a median of $31.25 an hour, or about $59,166 a year based on WorkBC’s career profile. Job Bank’s low wage represents roughly the 10th percentile of workers, and its high wage roughly the 90th.
| Wage Level | Hourly (Job Bank) | Annual at Usual Hours (About 36.3 a Week) | Annual at 40 Hours a Week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low | $20.00 | about $37,866 | $41,600 |
| Median | $31.25 | $59,166 (WorkBC) | $65,000 |
| High | $49.04 | about $92,848 | $102,003 |
Annual figures other than WorkBC’s median are our own estimates, for comparison only.
Why Annual Salary Figures Differ by About $6,000
The difference comes from how many hours a year you assume. On February 26, 2026, WorkBC changed its annual salary method. Instead of assuming a 40-hour week for every job, it now multiplies the median wage by the usual weekly hours from Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey, times 52.14 weeks.
For this occupation, WorkBC’s figure works out to about 36.3 hours a week. In practice, this means a salary site quoting $65,000 and WorkBC quoting $59,166 can both be based on the same $31.25 median. When you compare a job offer, convert it to an hourly rate and check the weekly hours in the posting.
Network Administrator Wages by Region in BC
Job Bank publishes the same $31.25 median for every BC economic region that has wage data, and no figure at all for the Kootenay, Nechako, North Coast and Northeast regions. According to Job Bank’s wage methodology, when regional data is limited, wages from a province or the country “might be used as an approximate value.” The regional rows are a provincial estimate, not a measured local wage.
So to compare regions, look at what the wage buys and how many openings each region expects:
| Region | Forecast Openings, 2025-2035 | 2025 Living Wage (Sample Community) | Median Wage Above Living Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mainland/Southwest | 3,330 | Metro Vancouver: $27.85 | $3.40 |
| Vancouver Island/Coast | 690 | Greater Victoria: $27.40 | $3.85 |
| Thompson-Okanagan | 300 | Kelowna: $25.95 | $5.30 |
| Cariboo | 70 | Prince George: $23.15 | $8.10 |
| Kootenay | 40 | Nelson: $24.45 | $6.80 |
Openings come from WorkBC, outlook ratings from Job Bank’s BC outlook for NOC 22220, and living wages from Living Wage for Families BC.
What the table shows:
- The Lower Mainland has most of the openings. The median sits only $3.40 an hour above Metro Vancouver’s living wage.
- The low wage of $20.00 sits below every living wage listed above. In practice, your first role’s pay matters most in the highest-cost areas.
Network Systems Administrator Salary by Role
Government sources don’t publish separate wages for network administrators, systems administrators and server administrators, because all of these titles fall under NOC 22220. The closest role comparison is with help desk and user support work, which has its own code.
| Role Group | NOC | BC Median (WorkBC) | BC Openings, 2025-2035 | Example Titles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Network and systems administration | 22220 | $31.25 | 4,520 | Network administrator, network system administrator, server administrator, LAN or WAN administrator, network security administrator |
| Help desk and user support | 22221 | $33.65 | 4,340 | Help desk technician, desktop support analyst, IT support analyst, service desk analyst |
Both medians come from WorkBC’s profiles for computer network and web technicians and user support technicians.
In this data, the help desk median is slightly higher, so a title change alone doesn’t explain pay. WorkBC also notes that some network roles may require training or certification in advanced cloud computing or network security, beyond a diploma.
What Affects a Network Administrator’s Salary in BC?
A network administrator’s salary in BC depends mainly on hours worked, employer type, time in the role and supervisory duties, not job title alone. Job Bank’s wages don’t account for years of experience, so these factors help explain the $20.00 to $49.04 range.
| Factor | What the Data Shows | What It Means for You |
|---|---|---|
| Hours and full-time status | WorkBC reports 78% of workers in this occupation work full time | A part-time or shorter-week role lowers annual pay even at the same hourly rate |
| Employer type | BC Public Service Information Systems grid IS 18 pays $37.25 to $42.22 an hour (effective April 5, 2026) | Public sector pay grids can sit above the $31.25 provincial median |
| Time in the role | In the same grid, moving from step 1 to step 5 raises IS 18 pay by about 13% | In unionized settings, pay rises on a published schedule |
| Supervisory duties | NOC 22220 includes supervisors; IS 21, with benchmark jobs such as Supervisor, Operations, pays $40.53 to $46.08 an hour | Taking on supervision is one documented route toward the high end |
Grid rates come from the BC Public Service salary look-up tool. Its IS 18 benchmark jobs include Security Administrator and Client Support Analyst. The grid is one employer’s example, not a wage for every network administrator.
In practice, two people with the same title can earn very different amounts, so ask about weekly hours, step increases and benefits when you compare offers.
What These Numbers Mean for Your Plans
Use the data based on your situation:
- Career changers in the Lower Mainland: Expect most openings, but compare offers against Metro Vancouver living costs, not the provincial median.
- Readers in the Interior or the North: Pay goes further locally, but openings are few, so remote or hybrid roles may widen your search.
- People already in help desk roles: Your current pay may already be close to the network admin median, so weigh the move on scope and long-term direction, not a guaranteed raise.
Our pathway guide for becoming a network systems administrator in BC covers the training and certification steps in order.
How CDI College’s Training Connects to These Roles
CDI College’s network administration diploma in BC prepares students for roles under NOC 22220. The Network Systems Administrator with AI program runs 56 weeks and includes a 200-hour practicum.
- Certification preparation: The program helps students prepare for the CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+ and Cisco CCNA certification exams.
- Practical scope: Students work with networks, Windows client and server, Linux, virtualization and secure cloud deployment.
- AI skills: Students use AI tools for troubleshooting, scripting and documentation, and learn to assess AI output for accuracy and security, part of how CDI College is building AI literacy across its training.
Final Thoughts
BC’s network administrator wages look simple at $31.25 an hour, but the regional rows are provincial estimates, annual figures depend on assumed hours, and job titles share one code. Read the data together with local living costs, openings and the scope of each role before you make your next move.
Request more information about CDI College’s Network Systems Administrator with AI program, admission requirements, financial options, and start dates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Starting Salary for a Network Administrator in BC?
Job Bank doesn’t publish one, but its low wage of $20.00 an hour gives a rough guide to entry-level pay.
Do Network Administrators Earn More in Vancouver?
Not in the published data. Job Bank shows the same $31.25 median for the Lower Mainland as for all of BC.
Is a Systems Administrator Paid the Same as a Network Administrator in Canada?
In government wage data, yes. Both titles fall under NOC 22220, so actual pay depends on the employer and the role’s scope.
