Computer Network Architects
Also called Computer Network Technologist, Network Analyst, Solutions Architect, or Systems Engineer
Updated · Source: O*NET 31.0
What Computer Network Architects do
You design the invisible plumbing that carries a company's data, deciding how thousands of computers, phones and buildings connect and stay connected.
A computer network architect plans how an organization's computers talk to each other. That includes networks inside one building, networks that link offices in different cities, and private internal websites only staff can reach. You work out how much traffic the system needs to carry, pick the equipment and software, and draw up the plan before anything gets installed.
Security and backup plans are a big part of it. You set up firewalls (filters that block unwanted traffic), order security checks, and write disaster recovery plans so the business can keep running if something fails. You also write the documentation and step-by-step instructions other staff follow. Most people reach this work after years in hands-on technology jobs, not straight out of school.
A day in the life
You spend most of the day indoors at a desk, in a climate-controlled office, sitting in front of screens and email. You check reports on how the network performed overnight, spot a link that is running near its limit, and start planning extra capacity. Then you are face to face with people: a meeting with managers about budget for new equipment, a call with a supplier that sells the equipment, a walkthrough with the team installing hardware on a new floor. Between meetings you write documentation, test a change before it is switched on for everyone, and update the disaster recovery plan. When something breaks, the quiet planning work stops and you help figure out the fix.
This could fit you if you…
- ✓Enjoy figuring out why something broke and not stopping until you know
- ✓Like planning ahead and keeping records accurate and orderly
- ✓Can explain technical choices clearly to people who are not technical
- ✓Want desk-based work that still involves equipment and hands-on installs
- ✓Are patient enough to build experience in other tech roles first
You might not like it if you…
- –Want a job you can start right after graduating, since employers typically expect 5 years or more of experience
- –Dislike sitting at a desk and answering email for much of the day
- –Would find it stressful to be called on when the network goes down
- –Prefer work that stays the same once you have learned it, since the technology keeps shifting
How people get in
- 1Get comfortable with computers, networks and basic programming while you are still in school, through classes, clubs or your own projects.
- 2Earn a bachelor's degree, which is the typical entry-level education. Common paths include computer and information sciences, information technology, computer systems networking and telecommunications, computer engineering, or information security.
- 3Start in a hands-on technology job such as network support or systems administration (keeping an organization's computers and servers running), where you learn how real networks behave day to day.
- 4Build up experience, since employers usually look for 5 years or more before handing someone the design work. Take on projects involving upgrades, security and documentation.
- 5Many people add industry certifications in networking or security along the way, and keep learning as equipment and standards change.
- 6Move into architect or solutions architect roles, where you plan networks and recommend the equipment and software to use, rather than only maintaining them.
Who tends to enjoy it
Curious
People who like figuring things out, research, science, and solving problems.
Organizing
People who like keeping things accurate, orderly, and running on schedule.
Hands-on
People who like building, fixing, working with tools, machines, plants, or animals.
Official task list
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. (O*NET)
- 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.
- 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.
A typical day involves
Skills that matter most
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Complex Problem Solving
- Programming
- Systems Evaluation
- Active Listening
What you'll need to know
- Computers and Electronics
- Engineering and Technology
- Telecommunications
- English Language
- Education and Training
How much Computer Network Architects make
The median pay for Computer Network Architects in the U.S. is $134,050 a year ($64.45 an hour). Most earn between $79,900 and $202,680. (Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025)
Pay depends a lot on where you live: the median is highest in Washington ($168,070) and lowest in Puerto Rico ($78,200).
Pay by state and territory
| State | Median pay | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $130,810 | 4,200 |
| Alaska | $119,720 | 120 |
| Arizona | $130,890 | 3,990 |
| Arkansas | $110,400 | 910 |
| California | $158,870 | 14,870 |
| Colorado | $139,230 | 16,380 |
| Connecticut | $143,890 | 1,570 |
| Delaware | $148,390 | 760 |
| District of Columbia | $137,670 | 1,490 |
| Florida | $132,800 | 9,370 |
| Georgia | $133,890 | 7,690 |
| Hawaii | $108,000 | 320 |
| Idaho | $107,620 | 720 |
| Illinois | $132,790 | 7,810 |
| Indiana | $124,190 | 2,030 |
| Iowa | $103,050 | 1,170 |
| Kansas | $100,610 | 1,770 |
| Kentucky | $103,740 | 1,710 |
| Louisiana | $106,620 | 470 |
| Maine | $108,570 | 570 |
| Maryland | $159,460 | 5,860 |
| Massachusetts | $155,060 | 6,270 |
| Michigan | $112,040 | 3,210 |
| Minnesota | $133,270 | 2,040 |
| Mississippi | $90,990 | — |
| Missouri | $103,130 | 3,360 |
| Montana | $104,300 | 250 |
| Nebraska | $116,420 | 1,350 |
| Nevada | $138,060 | 1,010 |
| New Hampshire | $125,420 | 560 |
| New Jersey | $162,350 | 5,660 |
| New Mexico | $109,080 | 420 |
| New York | $140,390 | 9,800 |
| North Carolina | $127,320 | 8,350 |
| North Dakota | $108,990 | 230 |
| Ohio | $131,070 | 5,150 |
| Oklahoma | $109,450 | 1,320 |
| Oregon | $135,660 | 1,540 |
| Pennsylvania | $131,840 | 6,080 |
| Puerto Rico | $78,200 | 240 |
| Rhode Island | $131,320 | 460 |
| South Carolina | $134,990 | 1,950 |
| South Dakota | $153,390 | 420 |
| Tennessee | $123,860 | 4,330 |
| Texas | $133,310 | 13,650 |
| Utah | $121,000 | 1,330 |
| Vermont | $110,930 | 130 |
| Virginia | $141,340 | 9,380 |
| Washington | $168,070 | 4,730 |
| West Virginia | $122,520 | 360 |
| Wisconsin | $131,720 | 2,170 |
| Wyoming | $100,520 | 50 |
Where to study for this
College programs that commonly lead to this career, and how many US colleges offer each.
- Computer and Information Sciences 1,032 colleges
- Information Technology 783 colleges
- Computer and Information Systems Security / Auditing / Information Assurance 1,005 colleges
- Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications 600 colleges
- Computer Engineering 340 colleges
- Network and System Administration / Administrator 273 colleges
- Computer Systems Analysis / Analyst 113 colleges
- Cloud Computing 71 colleges
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Source: O*NET 31.0 Database (USDOL/ETA), occupation 15-1241.00, used under CC BY 4.0 and modified by Whittle. Pay: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), SOC 15-1241. Outlook and entry education: BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Program links: NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk. How we build these pages.