Computer and Mathematical · Holland code ICR

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.

Also called: Computer Network Technologist, Network Analyst, Solutions Architect, Systems Engineer, Network Consultant, Network Systems Consultant, Networking Systems Engineer, System Programmer.

O*NET 15-1241.00

At a glance

US median annual pay: $134,050; Middle half earn $104,620 to $168,200. BLS OEWS, May 2025.
Most common education: Bachelor's Degree; 55% of workers surveyed by O*NET report this level.
Preparation needed: Job Zone 4 of 5; Considerable preparation. Zone 1 is little or none; zone 5 is graduate-level.
US employment outlook, 2024 to 2034: +12% · Much faster than average; 179,200 jobs in 2024, projected 200,600. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, which groups this with similar roles as "Computer network architects".

What the work involves

The tasks workers in this occupation rate as most important, from the O*NET survey.

Develop disaster recovery plans.
Develop or recommend network security measures, such as firewalls, network security audits, or automated security probes.
Develop and implement solutions for network problems.
Maintain networks by performing activities such as file addition, deletion, or backup.
Coordinate network operations, maintenance, repairs, or upgrades.
Coordinate installation of new equipment.
Monitor and analyze network performance and reports on data input or output to detect problems, identify inefficient use of computer resources, or perform capacity planning.
Develop network-related documentation.

Skills and knowledge it leans on

Skills

Critical Thinking4.1 / 5
Reading Comprehension4.0 / 5
Active Listening3.8 / 5
Writing3.6 / 5
Speaking3.5 / 5
Active Learning3.3 / 5

Knowledge areas

Computers and Electronics4.7 / 5
Engineering and Technology4.3 / 5
Telecommunications4.3 / 5
English Language3.8 / 5
Education and Training3.3 / 5
Design3.2 / 5

Importance ratings on O*NET’s 1 to 5 scale. Higher means the occupation depends on it more.

Who tends to enjoy it

How strongly this occupation draws on each of the six Holland interest types, which is the same profile the career interests test compares you against.

Realistic51
Investigative71
Artistic21
Social19
Enterprising37
Conventional68

The same work abroad

Other countries classify jobs differently, so these are the closest matches through the international ISCO-08 standard, not exact equivalents.

European occupation titles (ESCO)

telecommunications manager · DE Telekommunikationsmanager/Telekommunikationsmanagerin · FR responsable des télécommunications
telecommunications analyst · DE Telekommunikationsanalyst/Telekommunikationsanalystin · FR analyste des télécommunications
ICT system analyst · DE IT-Systemanalytiker/IT-Systemanalytikerin · FR analyste de système informatique
ICT system architect · DE IT-Systemarchitekt/IT-Systemarchitektin · FR concepteur de systèmes informatiques/conceptrice de systèmes informatiques
ICT system administrator · DE IT-Systemadministrator/IT-Systemadministratorin · FR administrateur de systèmes informatiques/administratrice de systèmes informatiques
ICT network administrator · DE IT-Netzwerk-Administrator/IT-Netzwerk-Administratorin · FR administrateur de réseau informatique/administratrice de réseau informatique

Closest UK occupation groups (SOC 2020)

IT network professionals (2137)33,500 employed
Information technology directors (1137)197,000 employed
IT business analysts, architects and systems designers (2133)212,200 employed

Employment is the UK Annual Population Survey for April 2025 to March 2026, all workers in the group, which can be broader than this one occupation.

Pay across Europe, for the whole group

Median annual earnings of all employees in “Professionals”. This is the broad ISCO group this occupation falls in, not the occupation itself, so treat it as context for the wage level, not as a salary for this job.

Median annual earnings, Professionals, by country
Country	Median pay
Belgium	€61,714
Germany	€59,529
Ireland	€56,877
Austria	€55,374
Netherlands	€53,595
Sweden	€43,567
France	€41,515
Spain	€35,735
Italy	€33,649
Portugal	€26,072
Poland	€14,380

Eurostat Structure of Earnings Survey, businesses with ten or more employees outside public administration, in euro and not adjusted for the cost of living. Reference years differ between sources: the US, Japan and Europe figures on this page come from different survey years, so compare them as rough levels, not to the euro or yen.

Is it a fit for you?

Interest is one input, alongside ability, pay and what is hiring near you. The career interests test takes about thirteen minutes and ranks occupations by how closely their profile matches yours.

Take the career interests test