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The national median salary for Computer Network Architects is $130,395 per year ($62.69/hr) according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2024. The middle 50% of earners make between $102,128 and $164,445 annually. Top earners at the 90th percentile reach $198,037 per year. There are approximately 177,010 computer network architects employed in the United States.
About This Role
BLS Standard Occupational Classification 2018
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.
Career Outlook
BLS Employment Projections · 2024-2034
10-year growth
+11.9%
Much faster than average
Annual openings
11K
per year, on avg
Workforce today
179K
as of 2024
Why those openings exist
19% from new growth81% from people leaving the role
Most openings come from replacement, not growth. Retention matters more than recruiting here.
Typical entry requirements
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
5 years or more
On-the-job training
None
Industry Wage Breakdown
Top 5 industries by employment · median annual wage, sector-specific
Industry
Workforce
Median Pay
Computer Systems Design and Related Services
NAICS 541500
46K
$131,040
Telecommunications
NAICS 517000
20K
$108,400
Management of Companies and Enterprises
NAICS 551100
18K
$137,770
Employment Services
NAICS 561300
8K
$129,550
Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services
NAICS 541600
7K
$126,510
Wage range across top 5 industries: $108,400 to $137,770 (27% spread)
Wage Percentiles
Hourly & annualized (2,080 hours)
Percentile
Hourly Rate
Annual Salary
P10
$38.23
$79,518
P25
$49.10
$102,128
P50MEDIAN
$62.69
$130,395
P75
$79.06
$164,445
P90
$95.21
$198,037
Market Context Signal
JOLTS · tech sector
Cooling
Openings Rate
2.8%
Quits Rate
1.1%
Information sector openings held flat at 81K in March, but layoffs jumped to 66K (+13K, rate 2.4%) -- the highest layoff rate among major sectors. Quit rates dropped to 1.1%. Tech employers retain maximum leverage; cuts continue in pockets.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average computer network architects salary?
The national median salary for Computer Network Architects is $130,395 per year ($62.69/hr) according to BLS OEWS May 2024 data. The middle 50% earn between $102,128 and $164,445 annually.
How much do top-earning computer network architects make?
The 90th percentile salary for Computer Network Architects is $198,037 per year ($95.21/hr). The 75th percentile is $164,445 per year.
What is the entry-level salary for computer network architects?
Entry-level Computer Network Architects (10th percentile) earn approximately $79,518 per year ($38.23/hr). The 25th percentile is $102,128 per year.
Wage figures on this page come from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2024 release. OEWS surveys roughly 1.1 million establishments annually. It is the most comprehensive employer-reported wage dataset in the United States.
P10 through P90 percentiles represent the wage distribution across all surveyed employers (not self-reported by workers). Geographic adjustments use BLS-derived cost multipliers calibrated from regional wage variation.
Wages are estimates. Individual compensation depends on experience, education, employer size, industry, and negotiation. Use this as benchmark context, not absolute ground truth.
CompSignal is a free labor market intelligence tool built for HR, compensation, and talent acquisition teams. We make BLS data, the same primary source Mercer and Radford cross-reference in their paid surveys, searchable and actionable without an enterprise subscription.
Built and maintained by Falcon Incentives, a compensation strategy and incentive design consultancy.