Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Using computers, software, digital systems, and technology to complete work and solve problems.
Examining information carefully, recognizing patterns, and using evidence to reach sound conclusions.
Understanding written information and communicating ideas clearly in writing.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
How to Become a Computer Network Architect 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 & 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. Information on certifications is available from CareerOneStop. Advancement Experienced network architects may advance into management positions, such as computer and information systems managers (sometimes called chief technology officers).
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Pay
the median annual wage for all workers was $50,980.
Job Outlook
Job Outlook Employment of computer network architects is projected to grow 8 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 9,600 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 is projected to 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. Computer Network Architects Percent change in employment, projected 2025–35 Computer network architects 8% Computer occupations 6% Total, all occupations 3% Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
What They Do
What Computer Network Architects Do
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
Work Environment
Computer network architects held about 181,800 jobs in 2025. The largest employers of computer network architects were as follows:
| Computer systems design and related services | 25% |
| Finance and insurance | 11 |
| Telecommunications | 9 |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 9 |
| Administrative and support services | 6 |
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.
Important Qualities
The following are examples of qualities that are important for these workers to perform their duties. For more information, visit the Employment Projections (EP) skills data page. 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.
More Information
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about computer network architects by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.