Computer Network Architects Career, Salary and Skills
Computer Network Architects have a BLS-reported national median annual wage of $134,050 based on the 2025 OEWS dataset, with reported national employment of 179,740. Wage data is published for 297 locations.
Occupation description
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.
O*NET code
15-1241.00
Job zone
4
Typical education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
National salary and employment
Median annual
$134,050
Hourly median
$64.45
Employment
179,740
Data year
2025
National salary distribution
Top skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Critical Thinking | 4.12 | 4.12 |
| Reading Comprehension | 4.00 | 4.12 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.88 | 4.12 |
| Programming | 3.88 | 3.62 |
| Systems Evaluation | 3.88 | 3.88 |
| Active Listening | 3.75 | 3.88 |
| Systems Analysis | 3.75 | 3.88 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.75 | 4.00 |
| Writing | 3.62 | 3.75 |
| Coordination | 3.50 | 3.62 |
Typical tasks
- 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.
- Develop disaster recovery plans.
Technology
- Access management software
- Adobe ActionScript
- Adobe After Effects
- Advanced business application programming ABAP
- AirMagnet Enterprise
- AJAX
- Amazon DynamoDB
- Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud EC2
- Amazon Redshift
- Amazon Simple Storage Service S3
- Amazon Web Services AWS CloudFormation
- Amazon Web Services AWS software
- Ansible software
- Apache Ant
Computer Network Architects salary by location
Areas with the highest reported employment for this occupation.
- Computer Network Architects Salary in COMedian $139,230 · Employment 16,380
- Computer Network Architects Salary in CAMedian $158,870 · Employment 14,870
- Computer Network Architects Salary in TXMedian $133,310 · Employment 13,650
- Computer Network Architects Salary in Denver, COMedian $139,230 · Employment 10,260
- Computer Network Architects Salary in New York, NYMedian $163,010 · Employment 10,230
- Computer Network Architects Salary in NYMedian $140,390 · Employment 9,800
- Computer Network Architects Salary in VAMedian $141,340 · Employment 9,380
- Computer Network Architects Salary in Washington, DCMedian $159,820 · Employment 9,370
- Computer Network Architects Salary in FLMedian $132,800 · Employment 9,370
- Computer Network Architects Salary in NCMedian $127,320 · Employment 8,350
- Computer Network Architects Salary in ILMedian $132,790 · Employment 7,810
- Computer Network Architects Salary in GAMedian $133,890 · Employment 7,690
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Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0 (onetcenter.org). Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 (bls.gov/oes). Figures are published survey estimates, not real-time market data.