# Computer Network Architects

> 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.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/computer-network-architects
- SOC code: 15-1241.00
- Career family: Computers and math
- Median annual pay: $134,050 (10th percentile $79,900, 90th percentile $202,680)
- Projected growth: Faster than average, +7.7%
- Openings a year: 9,600
- Typical entry education: Bachelor's degree
- Bright outlook: yes
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code ICR)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 51 |
| Investigative (I) | 71 |
| Artistic (A) | 21 |
| Social (S) | 19 |
| Enterprising (E) | 37 |
| Conventional (C) | 68 |

## What you'd do

- Working with Computers (importance 94/100)
- Getting Information (importance 85/100)
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (importance 83/100)
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards (importance 79/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 76/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 75/100)
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (importance 74/100)
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings (importance 74/100)
- Analyzing Data or Information (importance 73/100)
- Documenting/Recording Information (importance 73/100)

## Skills

Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension, Complex Problem Solving, Programming, Systems Evaluation, Active Listening, Judgment and Decision Making, Systems Analysis, Writing, Coordination

## Knowledge

Computers and Electronics, Engineering and Technology, Telecommunications, English Language, Education and Training, Design, Customer and Personal Service, Mathematics, Public Safety and Security, Administration and Management

## Also called

Cloud Architect, Cloud Network Engineer, Computer Network Analyst, Computer Network Engineer, Computer Network Technologist, Data Communications Analyst, Enterprise Architect, Internetworking Technician (Internetworking Tech), IT Analyst (Information Technology Analyst), IT Network Engineer (Information Technology Network Engineer)

## Majors that lead here (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, 4-digit CIP)

- [Computer and Information Sciences, General](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1101) (CIP 1101, 1,547 colleges)
- [Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1110) (CIP 1110, 1,184 colleges)
- [Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1109) (CIP 1109, 546 colleges)
- [Computer Engineering](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1409) (CIP 1409, 417 colleges)
- [Computer Systems Analysis](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1105) (CIP 1105, 124 colleges)

## Colleges with strong outcomes (College Scorecard, 2025)

| College | Program | Earnings 1 yr | Earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| [University of Pennsylvania UPENN](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-pennsylvania-upenn-3009) | Computer and Information Sciences, General | $143,850 | $241,380 | $11,000 |
| [University of California-Los Angeles UCLA](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-california-los-angeles-ucla-2884) | Computer Engineering | $137,925 | $228,705 | $17,731 |
| [Johns Hopkins University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/johns-hopkins-university-1344) | Computer and Information Sciences, General | $118,344 | $196,467 | $7,625 |
| [Columbia University in the City of New York](https://www.collegesref.com/college/columbia-university-in-the-city-of-new-york-656) | Computer Engineering | not reported | $194,365 | not reported |
| [Yale University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/yale-university-3312) | Computer and Information Sciences, General | $180,081 | $188,157 | $15,500 |
| [Carnegie Mellon University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/carnegie-mellon-university-406) | Computer and Information Sciences, General | $137,154 | $187,437 | $19,870 |
| [Rice University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/rice-university-2227) | Computer and Information Sciences, General | $156,465 | $182,443 | $8,375 |
| [Wellesley College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/wellesley-college-3189) | Computer and Information Sciences, General | $105,692 | $177,213 | $6,500 |

## Related careers

- [Computer Network Support Specialists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/computer-network-support-specialists): $76,220 median pay
- [Network and Computer Systems Administrators](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/network-and-computer-systems-administrators): $99,130 median pay
- [Computer Systems Engineers/Architects](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/computer-systems-engineers-architects): $116,580 median pay
- [Telecommunications Engineering Specialists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/telecommunications-engineering-specialists): $134,050 median pay
- [Computer Systems Analysts](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/computer-systems-analysts): $105,850 median pay
- [Software Developers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/software-developers): $135,980 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.