### Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Computer Network Architects Summary
                        
            
                                                        
                                                                
                        
            
            
            
                            
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                
            						
							
				                                                
                                            




            			computer network architects imageComputer network architects plan and lay out the internal computer networks used by workers in an organization.							
						Quick Facts:     Computer Network Architects2023     Median Pay
            						$129,840     per year
										$62.42     per hourTypical Entry-Level Education
                                    Bachelor's degreeWork Experience in a Related Occupation
                                    5 years or moreOn-the-job Training
                                    NoneNumber of Jobs, 2022
                                    180,200Job Outlook, 2022-32
                                    4% (As fast as average)Employment Change, 2022-32
                                    6,300What Computer Network Architects Do
                                                
                        
                        
Computer network architects design and implement data communication networks, including local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), and intranets.
            
                        Work Environment
                        
Most computer network architects work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. Network architects work in a variety of industries, usually in an office setting.
            
                                                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.
            
                        Pay
                        												                            																				    														The median annual wage for computer network architects was $129,840 in May 2023.									                                					
						
            
                        Job Outlook
                        						
												Employment							of computer network architects is projected to grow							 4 percent from 2022 to 2032, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
						About 10,200 openings for computer network architects are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
            			
            			 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.
						State & Area Data
                       Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for computer network architects.
            
            
						
                        Similar Occupations
                        
                                                    Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of computer network architects with similar occupations.
            
            
                        More Information, Including Links to O*NET
                        
                                               
                        Learn more about computer network architects by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
 What Computer Network Architects Do 
            

			computer network architects imageNetwork architects design LANs, WANs, and intranets.			
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.
Duties
Computer network architects typically do the following:
Create plans and layouts for data communication networks
Present designs to management, customers, and staff
Deploy planned networks, testing to ensure proper implementation
Document processes for posterity
Upgrade hardware, such as routers or adaptors, and software, such as network drivers, as needed to support computer networks
Research and recommend new technologies for network performanceComputer network architects, or *network engineers*, design and deploy computer and information networks. They consider an organization’s specific needs and requirements, such as information security, when planning networks. As part of the implementation process, network architects deploy and configure network equipment. They test the equipment and the network during all stages of implementation to check for slowdowns, blackouts, or points of failure.
Network architects create documentation throughout the design and deployment process as a reference for future network enhancements or maintenance. After deployment, they also may manage the networks and troubleshoot any issues that arise. They analyze data traffic and system performance to determine future upgrades.
Some computer network architects work with other IT workers, such as network and computer system administrators and computer and information systems managers, to ensure that an organization’s networking needs are being met. They also work with equipment and software vendors to manage upgrades and support the networks.
 Work Environment
			computer network architects imageMost network architects work full time.			

	    
				
	
	
	
	
	
	
	    					 Computer network architects held about 180,200 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of computer network architects were as follows:
        Computer systems design and related services
                26%Telecommunications
                10Management of companies and enterprises
                8Educational services; state, local, and private
                5Temporary help services
                5Computer network architects spend most of their time in office settings. They occasionally work in server rooms, where they have access to the hardware that makes up an organization’s computer and information network.
Work Schedules
Most computer network architects work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week.
 How to Become a Computer Network Architect

			computer network architects imageNetwork architects typically need several years of experience in a related occupation, such as a network administrator.			
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.
Education
Computer network architects typically need a bachelor’s degree in computer and information technology, engineering, or a related field. Degree programs in a computer-related field give prospective network architects hands-on experience in classes such as network security or database design. These programs prepare network architects to be able to work with the wide array of technologies used in networks.
However, education requirements may vary. Some employers consider candidates who do not have a bachelor's degree, and others express no preference. Still others prefer to hire candidates who have a master’s degree.
Work Experience in a Related Occupation
Network architects typically need several years of experience working with information technology (IT) systems. They often have experience as network and computer systems administrators or in related occupations, such as database administrator or computer systems analyst.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
Employers may require or prefer that their network architects be certified in the products they use. Certification programs usually are offered directly from vendors or from vendor-neutral certification providers. Certification validates the knowledge and the use of best practices that are required of network architects.
Advancement
Experienced network architects may advance into management positions, such as computer and information systems managers (sometimes called chief technology officers).
Important Qualities
***Analytical skills.*** Computer network architects examine data networks and decide how to connect the networks based on an organization’s needs and resources.
***Detail oriented.*** Computer network architects create comprehensive plans of the networks they are creating with precise information describing how the network parts will work together.
***Interpersonal skills.*** These workers collaborate with others to successfully design and implement computer and information networks.
***Leadership skills.*** Many computer network architects direct teams of workers to help design, build, and maintain networks.
***Organizational skills.*** Computer network architects may need to coordinate many different types of communication networks to make sure they work well together.
***Problem-solving skills.*** These workers must be able to resolve issues that arise with computer networks.
 Pay

			



	
 
                                                     
            
    
                Computer Network ArchitectsMedian annual wages, May 2023Computer network architects$129,840  Computer occupations$104,420  Total, all occupations$48,060Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
 

	
	



		
	
	
	
The median annual wage for computer network architects was $129,840 in May 2023. 


The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $77,960, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $195,000.





		
	    					 In May 2023, the median annual wages for computer network architects in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:	
        Computer systems design and related services
                $134,130Management of companies and enterprises
                133,340Temporary help services
                127,670Telecommunications
                106,860Educational services; state, local, and private
                102,210Most computer network architects work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week.
 Job Outlook

   
        
    
          
        
    
                Computer Network ArchitectsPercent change in employment, projected 2022-32Computer occupations14%  Computer network architects4%  Total, all occupations3%Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
            
            
			 
	
	
	

			Employment				of computer network architects is projected to grow				 4 percent from 2022 to 2032, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
			
			About 10,200 openings for computer network architects are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
			
			 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.
			Employment
	
			
Demand for computer network architects will grow as firms continue to design and build new information technology (IT) networks and upgrade existing ones. 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.
However, demand for computer network architects is expected to be limited over the projections decade. Some computer network tasks, such as monitoring systems and troubleshooting network problems, continue to be automated and consolidated. In addition, some businesses, especially smaller ones with minimal IT requirements, find it more cost effective to contract with outside firms for these services rather than to hire computer network architects directly.
			

                        Employment projections data for     computer network architects, 2022-32
                Occupational Title
                        SOC Code
                        Employment, 2022
                        Projected Employment, 2032
                        Change, 2022-32
                        Employment by IndustryPercent
                        NumericSOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program**Computer network architects**
			15-1241
			180,200
			186,600
			4
			6,300
			Get data
 State & Area Data **Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)** The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OES data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Computer network architects **Projections Central** Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.com. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved. **CareerOneStop** CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.
 Similar Occupations This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of computer network architects. Occupation
                Job Duties
                ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION
                2023     MEDIAN PAY**Computer and Information Research Scientists**
            Computer and information research scientists design innovative uses for new and existing computing technology.
            Master's degree
            $145,080**Computer and Information Systems Managers**
            Computer and information systems managers plan, coordinate, and direct computer-related activities in an organization.
            Bachelor's degree
            $169,510**Computer Hardware Engineers**
            Computer hardware engineers research, design, develop, and test computer systems and components.
            Bachelor's degree
            $138,080**Computer Programmers**
            Computer programmers write, modify, and test code and scripts that allow computer software and applications to function properly.
            Bachelor's degree
            $99,700**Computer Support Specialists**
            Computer support specialists maintain computer networks and provide technical help to computer users.
            See How to Become One
            $60,810**Computer Systems Analysts**
            Computer systems analysts study an organization’s current computer systems and design ways to improve efficiency.
            Bachelor's degree
            $103,800**Database Administrators and Architects**
            Database administrators and architects create or organize systems to store and secure data.
            Bachelor's degree
            $117,450**Information Security Analysts**
            Information security analysts plan and carry out security measures to protect an organization’s computer networks and systems.
            Bachelor's degree
            $120,360**Network and Computer Systems Administrators**
            Network and computer systems administrators install, configure, and maintain organizations’ computer networks and systems.
            Bachelor's degree
            $95,360**Software Developers, Quality Assurance Analysts, and Testers**
            Software developers design computer applications or programs. Software quality assurance analysts and testers identify problems with applications or programs and report defects.
            Bachelor's degree
            $130,160
 Contacts for More Information
								
For more information about computer careers, visit
Association for Computing Machinery
IEEE Computer Society
Computing Research Association
CompTIA
National Center for Women & Information Technology

                                                
                                                        
                                                                                                    O*NET
                                        Computer Network ArchitectsTelecommunications Engineering Specialists
 Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.  Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Computer Network Architects, 
        	 at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/computer-network-architects.htm (visited *May 21, 2024*).
 **Last Modified Date:**
                        Wednesday, April 17, 2024


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