Computer Network Architects Salary
Computer and Mathematical Occupations · 180K employed in the U.S.
Median annual
$134,050
Median hourly
$64
Average annual
$139,580
Typical range
$79,900–$202,680
Pay distribution
10th to 90th percentile, with the median marked.
What this role pays
The median annual salary for Computer Network Architects is $134,050 as of May 2025, based on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey. That works out to about $64 an hour at a full-time schedule.
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.
Most earn between $79,900 and $202,680 a year. There are roughly 180K people employed as computer network architects in the United States. Use the state and metro pages below to see how pay changes by location, and the calculator to convert any hourly or annual figure.
Salary calculator
Convert your pay and see where it lands for Computer Network Architects.
- Hourly
- $64.45
- Daily
- $516
- Weekly
- $2,578
- Bi-weekly
- $5,156
- Monthly
- $11,171
- Annual
- $134,050
$134,050 a year is around the 50th percentile for Computer Network Architectss. The median is $134,050.
Highest-paying states
Median annual wage by state.
- 1Washington$168,070
- 2New Jersey$162,350
- 3Maryland$159,460
- 4California$158,870
- 5Massachusetts$155,060
- 6South Dakota$153,390
- 7Delaware$148,390
- 8Connecticut$143,890
- 9Virginia$141,340
- 10New York$140,390
- 11Colorado$139,230
- 12Nevada$138,060
Top-paying metro areas
Median annual wage by metro area.
- 1San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$186,110
- 2Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$172,650
- 3Rochester, MN$168,910
- 4Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA$168,720
- 5San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA$166,760
- 6Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY$165,570
- 7New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ$163,010
- 8Bloomington, IL$161,780
- 9Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC$161,170
- 10Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH$160,650
- 11Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD$160,340
- 12Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT$159,820
Related job titles
Employers advertise Computer Network Architects roles under these titles.
- Cloud Network Engineer
- Communications Engineer
- Communications Network Engineer
- Communications Systems Engineer
- Computer Network Analyst
- Computer Network Engineer
- Computer Network Technologist
- Data Communications Analyst
- Internetworking Technician (Internetworking Tech)
- Messaging Engineer
- Multimedia Telecommunications Systems Integrator
- Network Architect
- Network Computer Consultant
- Network Consultant
- Network Control Analyst Assistant
- Network Designer
Related occupations
- Computer Network Support Specialists$76,220
- Computer Network Architects$134,050
- Software Developers$135,980
- Network and Computer Systems Administrators$99,130
- Computer Occupations, All Other$116,580
- Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers$63,890
- Computer Systems Analysts$105,850
- Computer Hardware Engineers$161,740
What a Computer Network Architects does
- Consult with users, administrators, and engineers to identify business and technical requirements for proposed system modifications or technology purchases.
- Implement system renovation projects in collaboration with technical staff, engineering consultants, installers, and vendors.
- Keep abreast of changes in industry practices and emerging telecommunications technology by reviewing current literature, talking with colleagues, participating in educational programs, attending meetings or workshops, or participating in professional organizations or conferences.
- Review and evaluate requests from engineers, managers, and technicians for system modifications.
- Assess existing facilities' needs for new or modified telecommunications systems.
- Develop, maintain, or implement telecommunications disaster recovery plans to ensure business continuity.
- Communicate with telecommunications vendors to obtain pricing and technical specifications for available hardware, software, or services.
- Inspect sites to determine physical configuration, such as device locations and conduit pathways.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Computer Network Architects make?
- The median annual wage for Computer Network Architects is $134,050 ($64 per hour). Pay ranges from about $79,900 at the 10th percentile to $202,680 at the 90th percentile.
- What is the average salary for a Computer Network Architects?
- The average (mean) annual salary is $139,580, which is higher than the median because a small number of high earners pull the average up.
- Which state pays Computer Network Architectss the most?
- Washington has the highest median annual wage for this occupation at $168,070.
- Is Computer Network Architects a growing occupation?
- BLS employment data for May 2025 counts about 180K people in this occupation. Projected growth is published separately in the BLS Employment Projections program.
- What does a Computer Network Architects do?
- Consult with users, administrators, and engineers to identify business and technical requirements for proposed system modifications or technology purchases.; Implement system renovation projects in collaboration with technical staff, engineering consultants, installers, and vendors.; Keep abreast of changes in industry practices and emerging telecommunications technology by reviewing current literature, talking with colleagues, participating in educational programs, attending meetings or workshops, or participating in professional organizations or conferences..