Career profile · 15-1241
Computer Network Architects
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.
What the work can involve
- 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.
Selected core tasks from O*NET 31.0. Responsibilities vary by employer, specialization and experience.
Preparation and entry routes
This O*NET group commonly calls for substantial preparation, often including a bachelor’s degree or considerable relevant experience. An introductory vocational course alone may not provide an entry route.
Check the route for the specific occupation where you plan to work. Education, employer experience requirements, occupational licensing and industry certification can be separate steps.
Understand the different credentials →Skills used in this occupation
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Speaking
Selected from the highest importance ratings available in O*NET 31.0. These describe the occupation, not a particular school's curriculum.
Knowledge to build
- Computers and Electronics
- Engineering and Technology
- Telecommunications
- English Language
- Education and Training
Selected from the highest importance ratings available in O*NET 31.0. These describe the occupation, not a particular school's curriculum.
Common work activities
- Working with Computers
- Getting Information
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
Selected from the highest importance ratings available in O*NET 31.0. These describe the occupation, not a particular school's curriculum.
Training subjects to investigate
The federal education-to-occupation crosswalk connects this role to the subjects below. These links do not endorse a school or guarantee that any particular award qualifies a graduate for the job.
- Computer and Information Sciences, General463 institutions →
- Information Technology449 institutions →
- Computer Systems Analysis/Analyst54 institutions →
- Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications523 institutions →
- Cloud Computing60 institutions →
- Network and System Administration/Administrator239 institutions →
- Computer and Information Systems Security/Auditing/Information Assurance608 institutions →
Working conditions to consider
These are the most common published responses to selected O*NET work-setting questions. They describe occupation-level survey findings, not every employer or a particular job.
| Work-setting question | Most common response | Share giving that response |
|---|---|---|
| Contact With Others | Constant contact with others | 50.0%08/2024 · sample 20 |
| Exposed to Contaminants | Never | 50.0%08/2024 · sample 20 |
| Exposed to Disease or Infections | Never | 80.0%08/2024 · sample 20 |
| Exposed to Hazardous Conditions | Never | 60.0%08/2024 · sample 20 |
| Spend Time Sitting | Continually or almost continually | 55.0%08/2024 · sample 20 |
| Spend Time Standing | Less than half the time | 60.0%08/2024 · sample 20 |
| Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls | Less than half the time | 45.0%08/2024 · sample 20 |
| Time Pressure | Once a month or more but not every week | 55.0%08/2024 · sample 20 |
| Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets | Never | 55.0%08/2024 · sample 20 |
| Work Schedules | Regular (established routine, set schedule) | 80.0%08/2024 · sample 20 |
O*NET 31.0 Work Context, selected topics. Only unsuppressed source responses with sample size at least 10 are shown. A most-common response need not be a majority. Sampling uncertainty applies; source dates vary. Ask employers about actual schedules, accessibility, protective equipment and working conditions.
Software used in the workplace
Use these O*NET examples to ask how a course builds practical digital skills. They are workplace examples, not a required shopping list or confirmation of a school’s curriculum.
- Access software: Access management software, Citrix cloud computing software, Remote access software
- Administration software: Aruba Networks AirWave, Asset management administration software, Cisco Systems CiscoWorks, Cisco Systems CiscoWorks LAN Management Solution
- Analytical or scientific software: Discrete event simulation software, Minitab, Root cause analysis software, The MathWorks MATLAB
- Application server software: Citrix XenApp, Docker, GitHub, Microsoft Windows Server
- Authentication server software: Microsoft Forefront Identify Manager
- Backup or archival software: Computer Associates ArcServ Backup, System and data disaster recovery software, Veritas NetBackup
- Bridge software: Network bridge software
- Business intelligence and data analysis software: Apache Spark, IBM Cognos Impromptu, MicroStrategy, Oracle Business Intelligence Enterprise Edition
- Cloud-based management software: Amazon Web Services AWS CloudFormation, IBM WebSphere, IBM WebSphere MQ, Splunk Enterprise
- Cloud-based protection or security software: SolarWinds
- Clustering software: VMware
- Communications server software: Email management software, IBM Domino
Selected categories and examples from O*NET 31.0 Software Skills. Products and employer requirements change. These examples are not endorsements; check the complete official occupation profile.
Pay & employment outlook
Salary estimates for computer network architects
The median divides workers into two equally sized groups by pay. It is not a starting salary, a school’s graduate outcome or a promise of employment. Lower percentiles are not automatically new graduates.
National outlook: 2025–2035
- Typical education for entry
- Bachelor's degree
- Related work experience
- 5 years or more
- Typical on-the-job training
- None
BLS national employment projections, 2025–2035. Openings include people leaving occupations or the labor force; these are not advertised vacancies. Education categories describe typical entry, not legal eligibility or a guarantee that any specific program is sufficient.
Compare wages across 51 state/DC estimates
| State | Annual median | Hourly median | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $130,810 | $62.89 | 4,200 |
| Alaska | $119,720 | $57.56 | 120 |
| Arizona | $130,890 | $62.93 | 3,990 |
| Arkansas | $110,400 | $53.08 | 910 |
| California | $158,870 | $76.38 | 14,870 |
| Colorado | $139,230 | $66.94 | 16,380 |
| Connecticut | $143,890 | $69.18 | 1,570 |
| Delaware | $148,390 | $71.34 | 760 |
| District of Columbia | $137,670 | $66.19 | 1,490 |
| Florida | $132,800 | $63.85 | 9,370 |
| Georgia | $133,890 | $64.37 | 7,690 |
| Hawaii | $108,000 | $51.92 | 320 |
| Idaho | $107,620 | $51.74 | 720 |
| Illinois | $132,790 | $63.84 | 7,810 |
| Indiana | $124,190 | $59.71 | 2,030 |
| Iowa | $103,050 | $49.54 | 1,170 |
| Kansas | $100,610 | $48.37 | 1,770 |
| Kentucky | $103,740 | $49.87 | 1,710 |
| Louisiana | $106,620 | $51.26 | 470 |
| Maine | $108,570 | $52.20 | 570 |
| Maryland | $159,460 | $76.66 | 5,860 |
| Massachusetts | $155,060 | $74.55 | 6,270 |
| Michigan | $112,040 | $53.87 | 3,210 |
| Minnesota | $133,270 | $64.07 | 2,040 |
| Mississippi | $90,990 | $43.75 | Not published |
| Missouri | $103,130 | $49.58 | 3,360 |
| Montana | $104,300 | $50.14 | 250 |
| Nebraska | $116,420 | $55.97 | 1,350 |
| Nevada | $138,060 | $66.38 | 1,010 |
| New Hampshire | $125,420 | $60.30 | 560 |
| New Jersey | $162,350 | $78.05 | 5,660 |
| New Mexico | $109,080 | $52.44 | 420 |
| New York | $140,390 | $67.49 | 9,800 |
| North Carolina | $127,320 | $61.21 | 8,350 |
| North Dakota | $108,990 | $52.40 | 230 |
| Ohio | $131,070 | $63.01 | 5,150 |
| Oklahoma | $109,450 | $52.62 | 1,320 |
| Oregon | $135,660 | $65.22 | 1,540 |
| Pennsylvania | $131,840 | $63.39 | 6,080 |
| Rhode Island | $131,320 | $63.14 | 460 |
| South Carolina | $134,990 | $64.90 | 1,950 |
| South Dakota | $153,390 | $73.75 | 420 |
| Tennessee | $123,860 | $59.55 | 4,330 |
| Texas | $133,310 | $64.09 | 13,650 |
| Utah | $121,000 | $58.17 | 1,330 |
| Vermont | $110,930 | $53.33 | 130 |
| Virginia | $141,340 | $67.95 | 9,380 |
| Washington | $168,070 | $80.81 | 4,730 |
| West Virginia | $122,520 | $58.91 | 360 |
| Wisconsin | $131,720 | $63.33 | 2,170 |
| Wyoming | $100,520 | $48.33 | 50 |
Metropolitan and nonmetropolitan wages
Search the 319 published local-area estimates for this occupation. Metropolitan areas can cross state lines; a city’s postal name is not necessarily the statistical area’s name.
Sources: BLS May 2025 OEWS public downloads and 2025–2035 employment projections, retrieved September 9, 2026. Unpublished estimates stay unavailable. “+” means BLS’s upper reporting threshold ($239,200 annually or $115 hourly). Wages exclude self-employment and nonwage benefits. How to interpret these figures.
Compare the route and prepare for work
Questions to test the fit
- What does an entry-level working day look like, and how does it differ from the experienced role described here?
- Which tasks, work environments and schedules would I enjoy or find difficult?
- What education, supervised practice and credentials do local employers actually request?
- Can I speak with someone in the occupation or arrange a suitable workplace visit?
- How does the complete training cost compare with my realistic budget and available routes?
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Related through shared training-subject mappings. Entry requirements can differ substantially.
Sources and attribution
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. Trade School Guides selects and organizes the material and adds explanatory guidance. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these modifications. Occupation code: 15-1241.00.
Training connections: CIP 2020–SOC 2018 crosswalk. Snapshot: September 8, 2026. See the methodology.