Why Fractional NetSuite Administration Is Replacing Full-Time Hires

Why Hiring a Full-Time NetSuite Administrator Often Isn’t the Best Move for Mid-Sized Companies 

If your company runs on NetSuite, you’ve likely faced this question: “Should we hire a full-time NetSuite administrator?” 

For many mid-sized organizations, hiring internally feels like the safest and most straightforward option. In reality, it’s often more expensive, less effective, and still incomplete. Here’s why many companies are rethinking the traditional admin model — and what a smarter alternative looks like. 

The NetSuite Talent Market Has Shifted 

The NetSuite talent market has changed significantly.

As of early 2026, the average annual pay for a NetSuite System Administrator in the U.S. is approximately $110,000, with top earners in major tech hubs easily commanding $140,000–$168,000 in base salary alone. 

When you add:

• Benefits and healthcare
• Payroll taxes
• 401(k) matching
• Ongoing training
• Recruiting fees (often 20% of first-year salary) 

Your true, fully loaded cost for a single NetSuite administrator frequently exceeds $185,000 per year. And that’s before accounting for ramp-up time, turnover risk, or coverage gaps. 

The Experience Gap Most Companies Don’t Expect

Here’s a reality many organizations only discover after hiring: 

NetSuite administrator roles are often entry-to-mid level positions. 

For many professionals, becoming an admin is a stepping stone toward consulting or implementation work. While seasoned admins certainly exist, many internal hires have:

• Limited exposure to complex NetSuite environments
• Minimal experience with best-practice implementations
• Little to no development or automation capability
• Responsibility for the entire system with no backup

This creates a single point of failure for one of your most critical business systems. 

Hiring an Admin Doesn’t Eliminate the Need for Consulting

This is the biggest misconception.

Even with a full-time NetSuite administrator, most companies still rely on consulting firms.

Why?

Because internal admins are rarely equipped to handle:

• Advanced NetSuite architecture and design
• SuiteScript development and automation
• Complex workflows and performance optimization
• Integrations with CRM, WMS, eCommerce, payroll, billing, and other systems
• Major system changes, acquisitions, or growth initiatives

The result is higher total cost:  A full-time admin salary  plus  Hourly consulting fees when advanced needs arise

Hiring an admin doesn’t replace consulting — it usually adds another layer of expense. 

Most Mid-Sized Companies Don’t Need a Full-Time Administrator 

• Month-end close support 
• Reporting and dashboard requests 
• User access and role changes
• Process improvements 
• NetSuite release updates 

A Smarter Model: Fractional NetSuite Administration

Instead of hiring a single employee and still relying on outside consultants, many mid-sized companies are moving to a fractional NetSuite administration model. 

This approach provides: 

A Dedicated Lead Resource  - A primary NetSuite expert who understands your business and system. 

Built-In Backup - No single point of failure, no coverage gaps. 

Consulting & Development Support - Advanced functionality, development, and integrations are available without sourcing another vendor. 

Implementer-Level Experience - Your system benefits from best practices gained across many NetSuite environments — not trial and error. 

Ideal for Mid-Sized Companies 

This model works best for organizations that: 

• Are $10M–$150M in revenue 
• Have 10–150 NetSuite users 
• Need expertise without adding headcount 
• Want predictable NetSuite costs 
• Don’t want ERP knowledge locked into a single employee 

Our Fractional NetSuite Admin Packages 

We designed our service around how mid-sized companies actually use NetSuite.

Advisory & Light Admin Support    -    20 Hours / Month — $50,000 / Year 
Best for stable NetSuite environments that need expert guidance and light ongoing support. 

Core Admin Support    -    40 Hours / Month — $100,000 / Year 
Best for companies that need consistent, hands-on NetSuite administration. 

Enhanced Admin + Optimization    -    60 Hours / Month — $150,000 / Year 
Best for growing or evolving organizations with integrations, automation, or optimization needs. 

The Bottom Line 

Hiring a full-time NetSuite administrator often results in: 

• Higher total cost than expected 

• Continued reliance on consultants 

• Limited expertise in advanced areas 

• Increased operational risk 

For many mid-sized companies, fractional NetSuite administration delivers better coverage, deeper expertise, and predictable cost — without adding another full-time employee. 

If you’re evaluating whether to hire a NetSuite administrator, it’s worth exploring whether a fractional model better fits how your organization actually uses NetSuite. 

Learn more about our About Us page and how our values guide our approach.
Explore our NetSuite Managed Services for ongoing support.
Read our What is a NetSuite Administrator to learn what an administrator role normally looks like.