State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
Computer Network Architect Salary (2026): Data, Outlook & How to Become One
Computer Network Architects earn a median of $134,050 per year ($64.45/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to grow 11.9% through 2034, with about 11,200 openings a year (BLS EP, 2024–2034). Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.
SOC 15-1241Computer and MathematicalLast updated August 15, 2026
- Median pay
- $134,050
- Projected growth
- +11.9%
- Openings a year
- 11,200
- Typical education
- Bachelor's
BLS OEWS, May 2025
BLS EP, 2024–2034
BLS EP, 2024–2034
BLS EP, 2024–2034
Also advertised as: Computer Network Technologist, Network Analyst, Network Consultant, Network Systems Consultant, Networking Systems Engineer, Solutions Architect.
How much do Computer Network Architects make?
10th percentile$79,900
Entry / lowest-paid tenth
25th percentile$104,620
Lower quartile
Median (50th)$134,050
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile$168,200
Upper quartile
90th percentile$202,680
Top-paid tenth
| Median annual wage | $134,050 |
|---|---|
| Median hourly wage | $64.45/hr |
| Mean annual wage | $139,580 |
| People employed | 179,740 |
Versus all US occupations
At $134,050, Computer Network Architects earn 163% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $83,070 a year.
Versus computer and mathematical occupations
Inside the Computer and Mathematical group, where the middle occupation pays $116,580, this is 15% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $202,680 or more while the bottom 10% earn $79,900, a gap of 2.5×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 92% of the 923 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Cost of living
Washington posts the highest raw median ($168,070), but once local prices are taken into account South Dakota leads at $173,154 in national-average dollars.
Which states pay Computer Network Architects the most?
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $168,070 | $157,056 | 4,730 |
| New Jersey | $162,350 | $149,212 | 5,660 |
| Maryland | $159,460 | $151,926 | 5,860 |
| California | $158,870 | $143,488 | 14,870 |
| Massachusetts | $155,060 | $146,619 | 6,270 |
| South Dakota | $153,390 | $173,154 | 420 |
| Delaware | $148,390 | $148,675 | 760 |
| Connecticut | $143,890 | $138,877 | 1,570 |
| Virginia | $141,340 | $139,797 | 9,380 |
| New York | $140,390 | $130,086 | 9,800 |
Is Computer Network Architect a growing career?
Computer Network Architects11.9%
All US occupations3.1%
+11.9% projected growth vs 3.1% for all occupations.
Much faster than average
BLS projects employment of Computer Network Architects to change 11.9% over 2024–2034, roughly 3.8× the 3.1% projected for all occupations. That is 21,400 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 11,200 openings are projected each year, 6.3% of the 179,200 jobs that existed in 2024. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Demand for computer network architects is projected to grow as firms continue to design and build new information technology (IT) networks and upgrade existing ones. Companies looking to leverage technological investments, such as artificial intelligence (AI), will need these workers to upgrade their IT infrastructure. Additionally, continued expansion of cloud computing will increase demand for these workers to ensure that networks are properly designed and that transition to the new network proceeds smoothly.
How to become a Computer Network Architect
Computer network architects typically need a bachelor’s degree in a computer-related field and experience in a related occupation, such as network and computer systems administrators.
| Typical entry-level education | Bachelor's degree |
|---|---|
| Preparation needed (O*NET job zone) | Medium preparation |
| Work experience in a related occupation | 5 years or more |
| Typical on-the-job training | None |
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as computer network architects.
- Bachelor's Degree55.0%
- Post-Secondary Certificate15.0%
- Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)15.0%
- Less than a High School Diploma5.0%
- Post-Baccalaureate Certificate5.0%
What does a Computer Network Architect do?
Design and implement computer and information networks, such as local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), intranets, extranets, and other data communications networks. Perform network modeling, analysis, and planning, including analysis of capacity needs for network infrastructures. May also design network and computer security measures. May research and recommend network and data communications hardware and software.
Computer network architects design and implement data communication networks, including local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), and intranets. These networks range from small connections between two offices to virtual capabilities such as a cloud infrastructure that serves multiple customers.
Day-to-day tasks
- Develop disaster recovery plans.
- Develop or recommend network security measures, such as firewalls, network security audits, or automated security probes.
- Develop and implement solutions for network problems.
- Maintain networks by performing activities such as file addition, deletion, or backup.
- Coordinate network operations, maintenance, repairs, or upgrades.
- Coordinate installation of new equipment.
- Monitor and analyze network performance and reports on data input or output to detect problems, identify inefficient use of computer resources, or perform capacity planning.
- Develop network-related documentation.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Where computer network architects work
| Computer systems design and related services | 25% |
|---|---|
| Telecommunications | 11% |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 9% |
| Temporary help services | 3% |
| Educational services; state, local, and private | 3% |
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2024–2034 edition.
Core skills
- Critical Thinking4.1/5
- Reading Comprehension4.0/5
- Active Listening3.8/5
- Writing3.6/5
- Speaking3.5/5
- Active Learning3.3/5
- Monitoring3.1/5
- Mathematics3.0/5
Transferable skills
- Complex Problem Solving3.9/5
- Programming3.9/5
- Systems Evaluation3.9/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.8/5
- Systems Analysis3.8/5
- Coordination3.5/5
- Quality Control Analysis3.3/5
- Technology Design3.1/5
Tools and software
- Analytical or scientific software · in demand
- Application server software · in demand
- Business intelligence and data analysis software · in demand
- Cloud-based management software · in demand
- Computer aided design CAD software · in demand
- Configuration management software · in demand
- Content workflow software · in demand
- Data base management system software · in demand
- Data base reporting software · in demand
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Development environment software · in demand
- Document management software · in demand
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
What personality type suits a Computer Network Architect?
Interest profile: O*NET Occupational Interests, scored 1–7
Realisticprimary4.0
Investigativeprimary5.3
Artistic2.3
Social2.2
Enterprising3.2
Conventionalprimary5.1
Day to day this is work built around investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Computer Network Architect: frequently asked questions
How much do Computer Network Architects make?
Computer Network Architects earn a median of $134,050 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). That is 163% above the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $64.45/hr. The middle half earn between $104,620 and $168,200. The top 10% earn $202,680 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Computer Network Architect?
Yes. BLS reports a bachelor's degree as the typical entry-level education for Computer Network Architects, and O*NET rates the preparation needed as medium preparation. Employers typically expect 5 years or more of related work experience first. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 55.0% hold bachelor's degree.
Is Computer Network Architect a growing career?
Yes, strongly. Employment is projected to grow 11.9% over 2024–2034, more than double the 3.1% projected for all occupations (BLS EP, 2024–2034). BLS still projects about 11,200 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Computer Network Architect do?
Computer network architects design and implement data communication networks, including local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), and intranets. A core O*NET task: develop disaster recovery plans. Employers most often ask for Analytical or scientific software, Application server software, Business intelligence and data analysis software.
Which states pay Computer Network Architects the most?
The highest state medians for Computer Network Architects are Washington ($168,070), New Jersey ($162,350), Maryland ($159,460) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Adjusted for local prices using BEA Regional Price Parities, South Dakota moves to the top at $173,154.
What personality type suits a Computer Network Architect?
O*NET scores Computer Network Architects highest on the Investigative, Conventional and Realistic interest areas, so the work mixes investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 923 occupations in the bank.