Computer network architects design and build data communication networks, including local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), and Intranets. These networks range from small connections between two offices to next-generation networking capabilities such as a cloud infrastructure that serves multiple customers. Network architects must have extensive knowledge of an organization’s business plan to design a network that can help the organization achieve its goals.
Computer network architects typically do the following:
Computer network architects, or network engineers, design and deploy computer and information networks. After deployment, they also may manage the networks and troubleshoot any issues as they arise. Network architects also predict future network needs by analyzing current data traffic and estimating how growth will affect the network.
Some computer network architects work with other IT workers, such as network and computer system administrators and computer and information systems managers to ensure workers’ and clients’ networking needs are being met. They also must work with equipment and software vendors to manage upgrades and support the networks.
Computer network architects held about 174,800 jobs in 2021. The largest employers of computer network architects were as follows:
| Computer systems design and related services | 27% |
| Telecommunications | 9 |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 8 |
| Insurance carriers and related activities | 4 |
| Educational services; state, local, and private | 4 |
Computer network architects spend most of their time in offices, but occasionally work in server rooms where they have access to the hardware that make up an organization’s computer and information network.
Most computer network architects work full time. Some work more than 40 hours per week.
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.
Computer network architects typically need at least 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.
Employers of network architects sometimes prefer applicants to have a master’s of business administration (MBA) in information systems. MBA programs generally require 2 years of study beyond the undergraduate level and include both business and computer-related courses.
Network architects generally need to have at least 5 to 10 years of experience working with information technology (IT) systems. They often have experience as a network and computer system administrator but also may come from other computer-related occupations such as database administrator or computer systems analyst.
Certification programs are generally offered by product vendors or software firms. Vendor-specific certification verifies a set of skills to ensure network architects are able to work in specific networking environments. Companies may require their network architects to be certified in the products they use.
Some network architects advance to become computer and information systems managers.
Analytical skills. Computer network architects have to examine data networks and decide how to best connect the networks based on the needs and resources of the organization.
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 must work with different types of employees to successfully design and implement computer and information networks.
Leadership skills. Many computer network architects direct teams of engineers, such as computer hardware engineers, who build the networks they have designed.
Organizational skills. Computer network architects who work for large firms must coordinate many different types of communication networks and make sure they work well together.
Median annual wages, May 2021
The median annual wage for computer network architects was $120,520 in May 2021. 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 $63,240, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $168,890.
In May 2021, the median annual wages for computer network architects in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
| Insurance carriers and related activities | $127,710 |
| Computer systems design and related services | 121,410 |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 120,710 |
| Telecommunications | 103,110 |
| Educational services; state, local, and private | 81,060 |
Most computer network architects work full time. Some work more than 40 hours per week.
Percent change in employment, projected 2021-31
Employment of computer network architects is projected to grow 4 percent from 2021 to 2031, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
About 11,800 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.
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.
| Occupational Title | SOC Code | Employment, 2021 | Projected Employment, 2031 | Change, 2021-31 | Employment by Industry | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percent | Numeric | ||||||
SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program |
|||||||
Computer network architects |
15-1241 | 174,800 | 182,300 | 4 | 7,500 | Get data | |
For more information about computer careers, visit
Association for Computing Machinery
Computing Research Association
For information about opportunities for women pursuing information technology careers, visit
National Center for Women & Information Technology