Computer Network Architects
Information TechnologyO*NET 15-1241.00United States
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.
- Median annual earnings
- $133,490
- Projected change
- +14.4%
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Employment
- 185.03K jobs
50th percentile, United States
2025 to 2035
60% of the workforce
Growing to 211.64K by 2035
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These courses and certificates are connected through catalog career relationships and Lightcast skill tags.
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The work
What computer network architects do
Tasks reported for this occupation, ordered by how often they come up in the role.
- 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.
- Coordinate network operations, maintenance, repairs, or upgrades.
- Maintain networks by performing activities such as file addition, deletion, or backup.
- 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 and write procedures for installation, use, or troubleshooting of communications hardware or software.
- Participate in network technology upgrade or expansion projects, including installation of hardware and software and integration testing.
- Adjust network sizes to meet volume or capacity demands.
- Communicate with system users to ensure accounts are set up properly or to diagnose and solve operational problems.
- Design, build, or operate equipment configuration prototypes, including network hardware, software, servers, or server operation systems.
- Develop conceptual, logical, or physical network designs.
- Evaluate network designs to determine whether customer requirements are met efficiently and effectively.
- Communicate with vendors to gather information about products, alert them to future needs, resolve problems, or address system maintenance issues.
- Develop plans or budgets for network equipment replacement.
- Communicate with customers, sales staff, or marketing staff to determine customer needs.
- Determine specific network hardware or software requirements, such as platforms, interfaces, bandwidths, or routine schemas.
- Prepare detailed network specifications, including diagrams, charts, equipment configurations, or recommended technologies.
- Supervise engineers or other staff in the design or implementation of network solutions.
- Research and test new or modified hardware or software products to determine performance and interoperability.
- Estimate time and materials needed to complete projects.
- Design, organize, and deliver product awareness, skills transfer, or product education sessions for staff or suppliers.
- Explain design specifications to integration or test engineers.
- Develop procedures to track, project, or report network availability, reliability, capacity, or utilization.
- Coordinate network or design activities with designers of associated networks.
- Prepare design presentations and proposals for staff or customers.
- Prepare or monitor project schedules, budgets, or cost control systems.
- Use network computer-aided design (CAD) software packages to optimize network designs.
Pay and outlook
What the job pays and where it is heading
Annual earnings range
Reported earnings by percentile, United States
- 10th percentile
- $79,327
- 25th percentile
- $103,962
- 50th percentile
- $133,490
- 75th percentile
- $168,189
- 90th percentile
- $203,417
The gold marker shows the median. Half earn more than $133,490 and half earn less.
Employment outlook
2025 to 2035 projection
+14.4%faster than average
2025185,032 jobs
2035 projected211,642 jobs
26,610 more positions over the decade, before replacement hiring.
Preparation
Education levels
What people currently working in the career hold. These are not entry requirements.
- Bachelor's degree
- 60%
- Certificate
- 15%
- Associate degree
- 15%
- High school diploma or less
- 5%
- Master's or Professional degree
- 5%
Skills
Skills employers ask for
Technical skills appearing most often in job postings for this occupation.
How the work gets done
Core competencies
Broad capabilities associated with strong performance in this occupation.
- Critical Thinking
- Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
- Reading Comprehension
- Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
- Complex Problem Solving
- Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
- Systems Evaluation
- Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
- Programming
- Writing computer programs for various purposes.
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
- Systems Analysis
- Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
- Active Listening
- Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Writing
- Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
- Speaking
- Talking to others to convey information effectively.
- Coordination
- Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
- Active Learning
- Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
- Quality Control Analysis
- Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
- Technology Design
- Generating or adapting equipment and technology to serve user needs.
- Monitoring
- Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
- Time Management
- Managing one's own time and the time of others.
- Instructing
- Teaching others how to do something.
- Mathematics
- Using mathematics to solve problems.
- Persuasion
- Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
- Service Orientation
- Actively looking for ways to help people.
In the market
Job titles and employers
Recent job postings in United StatesCommon job titles
- 01Network Engineers14,619 postings
- 02Automation Engineers4,611 postings
- 03Network Architects1,526 postings
- 04Software Systems Engineers1,068 postings
- 05Engineers902 postings
- 06Principal Network Engineers901 postings
- 07Storage Engineers833 postings
- 08Network Systems Engineers799 postings
- 09Network Analysts778 postings
- 10Networking Specialists777 postings
- 11Controls Engineers761 postings
- 12Network Software Engineers681 postings
- 13Cloud Network Engineers673 postings
- 14Network Infrastructure Engineers646 postings
- 15Software Development Engineers in Test627 postings
- 16Lead Network Engineers625 postings
- 17Systems/Software Engineers586 postings
- 18Automation Controls Engineers495 postings
- 19Infrastructure Engineers369 postings
- 20Principal Engineers365 postings
Top employers
- 01Accenture2,234 postings
- 02TEKsystems1,434 postings
- 03GovCIO1,183 postings
- 04Amazon1,086 postings
- 05Insight Global1,030 postings
- 06Leidos1,002 postings
- 07Cardinal Health806 postings
- 08Apple758 postings
- 09Lumen Technologies739 postings
- 10Robert Half716 postings
- 11CVS Health667 postings
- 12Google579 postings
- 13Actalent537 postings
- 14General Dynamics509 postings
- 15Lockheed Martin508 postings
- 16CACI International503 postings
- 17Peraton479 postings
- 18Northrop Grumman456 postings
- 19Capital One422 postings
- 20Booz Allen Hamilton406 postings
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