Occupation · SOC 15-1241
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.
Median wage
$130,390
$79,520–$198,030
Projected growth
+11.9%
Faster than average
Annual openings
2,140
per year
Employed (US)
177,010
Job Zone 4
Typical preparation
Considerable preparation
Stackable credential programs
2,998 mapped
Core skills
Critical ThinkingReading ComprehensionSystems EvaluationProgrammingComplex Problem SolvingSystems AnalysisJudgment and Decision MakingActive ListeningWritingSpeakingCoordinationQuality Control AnalysisActive LearningTime ManagementTechnology DesignMonitoringSocial PerceptivenessService OrientationPersuasionOperations MonitoringNegotiationMathematicsLearning StrategiesInstructingTroubleshootingOperations AnalysisManagement of Personnel ResourcesOperation and ControlEquipment SelectionManagement of Financial ResourcesManagement of Material ResourcesEquipment MaintenanceScienceRepairingInstallation
Knowledge areas
Computers and ElectronicsTelecommunicationsEngineering and TechnologyEnglish LanguageEducation and TrainingDesignCustomer and Personal ServiceMathematicsPublic Safety and SecurityAdministration and ManagementLaw and GovernmentCommunications and MediaAdministrativeProduction and ProcessingPersonnel and Human ResourcesMechanicalGeographyEconomics and AccountingSales and MarketingTransportationSociology and AnthropologyBuilding and ConstructionPhysicsPsychologyChemistryForeign LanguageHistory and ArcheologyPhilosophy and TheologyTherapy and CounselingBiologyMedicine and DentistryFine ArtsFood Production
Technology & tools
AJAXAccess management softwareAdobe ActionScriptAdobe After EffectsAdvanced business application programming ABAPAirMagnet EnterpriseAmazon DynamoDBAmazon Elastic Compute Cloud EC2Amazon RedshiftAmazon Simple Storage Service S3Amazon Web Services AWS CloudFormationAmazon Web Services AWS softwareAnsible softwareApache AntApache CassandraApache GroovyApache HTTP ServerApache HadoopApache HiveApache KafkaApache MavenApache PigApache SolrApache SparkApache StrutsApache Subversion SVNApache TomcatApple macOSApplication management softwareApplication server softwareAruba Networks AirWaveAsset management administration softwareAtlassian BambooAtlassian ConfluenceAtlassian JIRAAutodesk AutoCADAutodesk RevitAutomated installation softwareBashBlink
Representative tasks
Working with ComputersGetting InformationUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsDocumenting/Recording InformationAnalyzing Data or InformationProcessing InformationOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationScheduling Work and ActivitiesThinking CreativelyProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersTraining and Teaching OthersEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersPerforming Administrative ActivitiesMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesDeveloping and Building TeamsCoaching and Developing OthersDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentControlling Machines and ProcessesHandling and Moving ObjectsPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicPerforming General Physical ActivitiesStaffing Organizational UnitsSelling or Influencing OthersAssisting and Caring for OthersRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Network topology diagrams — interpret and document under direct supervision when onboarding to an enterprise networking team.Disaster recovery plan templates — review and apply established procedures under guidance during initial project assignments.Network security baselines — identify gaps between current configurations and recommended firewall policies with supervisor oversight.Network monitoring software — execute scheduled performance checks and log anomalies under direction on a corporate LAN environment.File backup and deletion tasks — perform routine maintenance activities following documented protocols on managed network infrastructure.New equipment installation checklists — assist senior architects in coordinating rack-and-stack activities during hardware refresh projects.Technical documentation drafts — compile network-related records and configuration notes under review by experienced team members.Network performance reports — gather and format data input and output statistics using monitoring dashboards in a supervised setting.Basic scripting tools — apply pre-written scripts to automate simple network tasks under direction in a development or staging environment.Vendor technical materials — read and summarize product specifications and telecommunications standards to support team decision-making.
developing
Disaster recovery plans — develop and test recovery procedures for mid-size network environments with limited oversight from senior architects.Firewall rules and security audit checklists — recommend and implement network security measures based on identified vulnerabilities in an enterprise setting.Network problem resolutions — diagnose and implement solutions for recurring connectivity or performance issues across familiar infrastructure segments.Routine network maintenance operations — manage file addition, deletion, and backup schedules independently across multi-site corporate networks.Network operations coordination — schedule and communicate maintenance windows, repairs, and upgrades to operations teams with reduced management involvement.Equipment installation projects — coordinate vendor and internal technician activities during new hardware deployments in a data center environment.Performance trend analysis — monitor and interpret network utilization metrics to identify inefficient resource usage and inform capacity planning decisions.Network-related documentation packages — produce and maintain accurate architecture diagrams, runbooks, and change logs for departmental infrastructure.Cloud-based management tools — configure and monitor cloud networking resources to support hybrid infrastructure in an established enterprise environment.Cross-functional communication — present network status and technical findings to IT operations peers through written reports and verbal briefings.
proficient
Enterprise disaster recovery frameworks — design, validate, and own end-to-end recovery strategies for complex, multi-site network environments autonomously.Advanced security architecture — develop and enforce layered network security measures including automated probes, intrusion detection, and audit programs across the full organization.Complex network problem resolution — independently analyze, architect, and implement solutions for non-routine failures spanning LAN, WAN, and cloud infrastructure.Infrastructure maintenance governance — oversee backup strategies, capacity thresholds, and lifecycle management policies for large-scale network environments.Network upgrade programs — lead coordination of major hardware and software upgrades across distributed sites, managing vendor relationships and stakeholder timelines.Capacity planning and performance optimization — evaluate network performance data and model growth scenarios to recommend resource allocation changes to leadership.Storage and cloud networking integration — design and implement storage networking and cloud-based management solutions that meet evolving organizational workload demands.Comprehensive technical documentation — author authoritative network architecture specifications, disaster recovery guides, and security policies consumed organization-wide.Systems evaluation and technology selection — assess emerging networking technologies and tools against business requirements using structured evaluation criteria.Mentorship and technical guidance — coach junior and mid-level network staff through complex problem-solving scenarios in a professional enterprise context.
advanced
Organizational network strategy — define long-range architecture vision and roadmap aligned to business objectives, influencing executive and board-level technology decisions.Enterprise security posture — establish organization-wide network security governance frameworks, directing audit programs and risk mitigation investments at scale.Innovation pipeline leadership — identify and champion adoption of transformative networking technologies, guiding proof-of-concept initiatives from ideation to production deployment.Disaster resilience policy — own enterprise-wide business continuity and disaster recovery standards, ensuring cross-functional alignment with regulatory and compliance requirements.Network center of excellence — build and lead a practice of senior architects and engineers, setting quality standards and professional development pathways for the discipline.Capital and vendor strategy — negotiate enterprise agreements and direct multi-million-dollar infrastructure investments, balancing cost, performance, and risk at an organizational level.Cross-enterprise coordination model — design operational frameworks that govern network operations, maintenance, and incident response across geographically dispersed business units.Systems analysis at organizational scale — evaluate interdependencies between network infrastructure, application platforms, and business processes to inform enterprise transformation initiatives.Thought leadership and external representation — author industry white papers, present at professional conferences, and engage standards bodies to advance network architecture practices.Executive reporting and communication — translate complex network performance, risk, and investment data into strategic insights delivered to C-suite and board stakeholders.
Also known as
44 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Cloud ArchitectCloud Network EngineerComputer Network AnalystComputer Network EngineerComputer Network TechnologistData Communications AnalystEnterprise ArchitectInternetworking Technician (Internetworking Tech)IT Analyst (Information Technology Analyst)IT Network Engineer (Information Technology Network Engineer)Network AnalystNetwork ArchitectNetwork Computer ConsultantNetwork ConsultantNetwork Control AnalystNetwork Control Analyst AssistantNetwork DesignerNetwork DeveloperNetwork Operations Analyst (Network Ops Analyst)Network Operations Specialist (Network Ops Specialist)Network Security AnalystNetwork Security Systems AnalystNetwork SpecialistNetwork Systems AnalystNetwork Systems ConsultantNetwork Systems EngineerNetwork Systems IntegratorNetworking EngineerNetworking SpecialistNetworking Systems EngineerNOC Engineer (Network Operations Center Engineer)PC Network Engineer (Personal Computer Network Engineer)Platform ArchitectPrincipal Network EngineerServer EngineerSolutions ArchitectSolutions EngineerSystem ProgrammerSystems EngineerTarget Network Analyst