Computer Network Architects

Summary

What Computer Network Architects Do About this section

Network architects design LANs, WANs, and intranets.

Computer network architects design and implement data communication networks, including local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), and intranets. These networks range from small connections between two offices to virtual capabilities such as a cloud infrastructure that serves multiple customers.

Duties

Computer network architects typically do the following:

• Create plans and layouts for data communication networks
• Present designs to management, customers, and staff
• Deploy planned networks, testing to ensure proper implementation
• Document processes for posterity
• Upgrade hardware, such as routers or adaptors, and software, such as network drivers, as needed to support computer networks
• Research and recommend new technologies for network performance

Computer network architects, or network engineers, design and deploy computer and information networks. They consider an organization’s specific needs and requirements, such as information security, when planning networks. As part of the implementation process, network architects deploy and configure network equipment. They test the equipment and the network during all stages of implementation to check for slowdowns, blackouts, or points of failure.

Network architects create documentation throughout the design and deployment process as a reference for future network enhancements or maintenance. After deployment, they also may manage the networks and troubleshoot any issues that arise. They analyze data traffic and system performance to determine future upgrades.

Some computer network architects work with other IT workers, such as network and computer system administrators and computer and information systems managers, to ensure that an organization’s networking needs are being met. They also work with equipment and software vendors to manage upgrades and support the networks.

Work Environment About this section

Most network architects work full time.

Computer network architects held about 177,800 jobs in 2023. The largest employers of computer network architects were as follows:

Computer network architects spend most of their time in office settings. They occasionally work in server rooms, where they have access to the hardware that makes up an organization’s computer and information network.

Work Schedules

Most computer network architects work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week.

How to Become a Computer Network Architect About this section

Network architects typically need several years of experience in a related occupation, such as a network administrator.

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.

Education

Computer network architects typically need 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.

However, education requirements may vary. Some employers consider candidates who do not have a bachelor's degree, and others express no preference. Still others prefer to hire candidates who have a master’s degree.

Work Experience in a Related Occupation

Network architects typically need several years of experience working with information technology (IT) systems. They often have experience as network and computer systems administrators or in related occupations, such as database administrator or computer systems analyst.

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

Employers may require or prefer that their network architects be certified in the products they use. Certification programs usually are offered directly from vendors or from vendor-neutral certification providers. Certification validates the knowledge and the use of best practices that are required of network architects.

Advancement

Experienced network architects may advance into management positions, such as computer and information systems managers (sometimes called chief technology officers).

Important Qualities

Analytical skills. Computer network architects examine data networks and decide how to connect the networks based on an organization’s needs and resources.

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 collaborate with others to successfully design and implement computer and information networks.

Leadership skills. Many computer network architects direct teams of workers to help design, build, and maintain networks.

Organizational skills. Computer network architects may need to coordinate many different types of communication networks to make sure they work well together.

Problem-solving skills. These workers must be able to resolve issues that arise with computer networks.

Pay About this section

The median annual wage for computer network architects was $129,840 in May 2023. 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 $77,960, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $195,000.

In May 2023, the median annual wages for computer network architects in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

Most computer network architects work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week.

Job Outlook About this section

Employment of computer network architects is projected to grow 13 percent from 2023 to 2033, much faster than the average for all occupations.

About 12,300 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.

Employment

Demand for computer network architects will grow as firms continue to design and build new information technology (IT) networks and upgrade existing ones. Companies looking to leverage technological investments, such as artificial intelligence (AI), will need these workers to upgrade their IT infrastructure. Additionally, 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.

State & Area Data About this section

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)

The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OEWS data maps for employment and wages by state and area.

• Computer network architects

Projections Central

Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.org. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved.

CareerOneStop

CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.

Contacts for More Information About this section

For more information about computer careers, visit

Association for Computing Machinery

IEEE Computer Society

Computing Research Association

CompTIA

National Center for Women & Information Technology

O*NET

Computer Network Architects

Telecommunications Engineering Specialists