Okay, let’s tackle this. So Bret Black has a strong educational background in computer science and extensive experience in IT, which is a plus. He’s working in Bakersfield, California, which is a mid-sized city with a growing tech industry. Network administrators with his level of experience typically charge around $50–$100 per hour, depending on location and industry demand. Considering Bret’s skills and experience, I’d estimate his hourly rate to be around $75, which is slightly above the average for this role and location.