Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.
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.
Top skills:Critical ThinkingReading ComprehensionSystems EvaluationProgrammingComplex Problem SolvingSystems Analysis
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
Computer Network Architect pay by experience level
Entry level$82,500
Typical starting pay (about the 10th percentile)
Early career$108,500
A few years in (about the 25th percentile)
Experienced$138,500
Mid-career median pay
Senior$174,000
Seasoned professionals (about the 75th percentile)
Top earners$210,000
Highest earners (about the 90th percentile)
Experience tiers are derived from the BLS wage percentile distribution for this occupation, aged to 2026. Actual pay varies by employer, location, and specialization.
Job outlook
+11.9%
projected change in jobs, 2024–2034
11,200
projected openings per year
Growing faster than average
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2024–2034). Openings include growth and replacement needs.
Computer Network Architect salary by industry
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
65,320 workers
$147,500
Computer Systems Design and Related Services
45,750 workers
$146,000
Management of Companies and Enterprises
16,910 workers
$149,500
Management of Companies and Enterprises
16,910 workers
$149,500
Telecommunications
16,130 workers
$124,500
Administrative and Support Services
10,320 workers
$139,000
Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services
7,960 workers
$153,000
Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services
7,960 workers
$153,000
Credit Intermediation and Related Activities
7,330 workers
$150,000
Employment Services
7,190 workers
$140,500
National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
How this role compares
Computer Network Architect pays 17% above the average across 38 roles in the Computer and Mathematical job family (family average $123,500).
Related occupations from O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Computer Network Architect make?
The average base salary for a Computer Network Architect in the United States is $144,500 per year, or about $69.47 per hour.
What is the typical salary range?
Pay typically falls between $108,500 and $174,000 per year (25th to 75th percentile) depending on experience, location, industry, and organization size.
How does this compare with other Computer and Mathematical roles?
The Computer and Mathematical job family averages $123,500 across 38 roles tracked by WePayFairly.
Need a defensible market price for this role? WePayFairly data is compiled from published survey sources and maintained by compensation professionals.
Need Computer Network Architect pay benchmarked for your organization, or defensible compensation analysis for a dispute or valuation? Grahall builds it from primary sources, backed by an expert who testifies.
