Network and Computer Systems Administrators vs Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
Median annual salary
199,800 employed nationally
Which Career Pays More?
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers professionals earn $5,810 more per year than Network and Computer Systems Administrators professionals — that's 6.0% higher. At the 90th percentile, Network and Computer Systems Administrators earns $150,320 compared to $166,960 for Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers.
Salary Range Comparison
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Network and Computer Systems Administrators | Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $60,320 | $60,690 | $-370 |
| 25th Percentile | $75,860 | $79,520 | $-3,660 |
| Median (50th) | $96,800 | $102,610 | $-5,810 |
| 75th Percentile | $123,390 | $131,870 | $-8,480 |
| 90th Percentile | $150,320 | $166,960 | $-16,640 |
| Mean (Average) | $101,190 | $110,260 | $-9,070 |
Employment Numbers
Network and Computer Systems Administrators
318,570
employed nationwide
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
199,800
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
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 |
Best Cities for Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $165,700 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $139,580 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $131,640 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $127,940 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $126,430 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Network and Computer Systems Administrators or Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers?
What is the salary range for Network and Computer Systems Administrators?
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS