What does a Network and Computer Systems Administrators salary really buy you in Washington?
Washington is 9.8% pricier than the US averageData: BLS OEWS 2024 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-03-31
Washington's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 109.8, meaning prices are 9.8% higher the national average. A Network and Computer Systems Administrators earning $103,990 in Washington has the equivalent purchasing power of $94,708 in an average-cost US state.
Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for Washington's cost of living.
| Percentile | Nominal Salary | COL-Adjusted | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile (P10) | $63,770 | $58,078 | $-5,691 |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $81,550 | $74,271 | $-7,278 |
| Median (P50) | $103,990 | $94,708 | $-9,281 |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $130,370 | $118,734 | $-11,635 |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $160,090 | $145,801 | $-14,288 |
While $103,990 sounds high, Washington's elevated cost of living erases 9% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $94,708. Consider whether the higher pay offsets the higher costs.
Where does Network and Computer Systems Administrators salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.
Washington ranks #25 out of 50 states for Network and Computer Systems Administrators after cost-of-living adjustment.
Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
A Network and Computer Systems Administrators in Washington earns a median salary of $103,990 per year. After adjusting for Washington's cost of living (RPP=109.8), the real purchasing power is $94,708 — a -8.9% difference.
Washington's cost of living is 9.8% higher than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Washington is 109.8 (US average = 100).
Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.
The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Network and Computer Systems Administrators in Washington: $103,990 x (100 / 109.8) = $94,708. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.
Partially — a Network and Computer Systems Administrators's nominal salary of $103,990 in Washington has 8.9% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $94,708. However, Washington may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.