Occupations · Computer and Mathematical
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 30.3 Database (USDOL/ETA) · occupation code 15-1241.00
What it pays
A single “average salary” hides the spread. This is the whole distribution — the gap between the bottom and top bar is usually the number that matters.
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024 · national, cross-industry · annual wage
Pay over time
Median up 16% between 2019 and 2024, before inflation. The band shows the 10th to 90th percentile.
BLS OEWS, one release per year. Before May 2011 only national estimates were published, so geography detail starts there.
Where the jobs are
| Metro area | Median wage | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $153,820 | 10,600 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $163,570 | 8,910 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $132,870 | 8,250 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $132,420 | 7,570 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA | $155,480 | 5,340 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI | $140,760 | 4,880 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $134,880 | 4,730 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $141,020 | 4,660 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $137,910 | 4,520 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ | $128,990 | 3,490 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $166,880 | 3,370 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $129,360 | 3,060 |
BLS OEWS May 2024, metropolitan estimates · the 12 areas with the most people in this occupation
Typical education to enter: Bachelor's degree · BLS Employment Projections 2024–34
What people in this job actually do
Ordered by how important the work is rated.
- 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.
- 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.
- Design, build, or operate equipment configuration prototypes, including network hardware, software, servers, or server operation systems.
- Adjust network sizes to meet volume or capacity demands.
O*NET 30.3 task ratings, importance scale
Skills that matter most
Importance, rated 1 to 5.
O*NET 30.3 skills, importance scale
Software and tools
A dot marks what O*NET flags as in demand.
O*NET 30.3 software skills · hot-technology flag
What this work is actually like
Conditions rated against the average across all occupations — only what makes this job different is listed.
O*NET 30.3 Job Zones
Working conditions that stand out
O*NET 30.3 work context, frequency scale · observed 2024-08
How people actually get in
Share of workers by the education they hold.
O*NET 30.2 education, training and experience · observed 2024-08
What kind of person the work suits
Occupational interest profile, rated 1 to 7.
O*NET 30.2 occupational interests (RIASEC)
What you take with you
Skills rated for how well they transfer into other occupations.
O*NET 30.3 transferable skills, importance scale
Knowledge the work draws on
Abilities it leans on
O*NET 30.3 abilities and knowledge, importance scale
How this job is advertised
The same work is posted under many titles — this is what to search for.
O*NET 30.3 job titles reported for this occupation
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What changed since 2020
Comparing O*NET release 25.1 (2020-11-01) with 30.3 (2026-05-01). Signs, not colour alone, carry the meaning. 3 entries that were only relabelled between releases are left out.
Now listed 25
No longer listed 24
Diff across the O*NET releases held here in full since October 2015, following occupations through merges and retirements. O*NET re-surveys occupations on a rolling cycle, so “no change” can also mean “not re-surveyed”.
Related jobs
O*NET 30.3 related occupations
Also called
O*NET 30.3 alternative titles
The same work in Europe
| ESCO occupation | ISCO | Match |
|---|---|---|
| ICT system architect | 2511.13 | close |
| ICT network architect | 2523.2 | broader |
| ICT network engineer | 2523.3 | broader |
| ICT capacity planner | 2523.1 | broader |
Official ESCO ↔ O*NET crosswalk (ESCO Secretariat with USDOL/ETA)
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