Pay, demand and where to work, from BLS data with the year on every table.
low → high: location quotient
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By AtiveSite · Published 07/11/2026 · Updated 07/11/2026 · Every figure is linked to its source below.
Computer network architects (SOC 15-1241) employed 179,740 people in May 2025. The median pay is $134,050 a year ($64.45 an hour); the lowest-paid 10% earn under $79,900 and the highest-paid 10% more than $202,680. BLS projects its employment to change by +7.7% between 2025 and 2035 (about 9,600 openings a year including replacements). The typical way in: Bachelor's degree, with 5 years or more experience in a related occupation.
Highest median pay: Washington ($168,070), New Jersey ($162,350), Maryland ($159,460). Most jobs: Colorado (16,380), California (14,870), Texas (13,650).
| Measure ⇅ | Annual ⇅ | Hourly equivalent ⇅ |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $79,900 | $38.41 |
| 25th percentile | $104,620 | $50.30 |
| Median | $134,050 | $64.45 |
| Mean | $139,580 | $67.11 |
| 75th percentile | $168,200 | $80.87 |
| 90th percentile (experienced) | $202,680 | $97.44 |
Estimate for a wage earner: 2026 federal brackets and standard deduction (IRS), Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500, Medicare 1.45% (+0.9% above $200,000 single / $250,000 married), and a state rate you set. It ignores credits, pre-tax deductions, local taxes and benefits. Sources: IRS: tax year 2026 inflation adjustments · SSA wage base per Federal Register notice 2025-19763.
Hourly equivalents divide by 2,080 hours. Pay above $239,200 is shown as "≥ $239,200" (BLS top code).
| Measure ⇅ | Value ⇅ |
|---|---|
| Jobs 2025 | 181,800 |
| Jobs 2035 (projected) | 195,800 |
| Change in jobs | 14,100 |
| Percent change | +7.7% |
| Openings a year (growth + replacements) | 9,600 |
| Self-employed share | 0.4% |
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree |
| Work experience in a related occupation | 5 years or more |
| Typical on-the-job training | None |
Licences and certifications are set by states and employers; the education shown is the usual entry requirement, not a legal one.
| State ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Median vs US ⇅ | Yearly rent as % of median pay ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 4,200 | 1.72 | $130,810 | $76,960 | $173,400 | -2% | 10% |
| Alaska | 120 | 0.32 | $119,720 | $88,690 | $173,070 | -11% | 14% |
| Arizona | 3,990 | 1.07 | $130,890 | $81,530 | $175,820 | -2% | 15% |
| Arkansas | 910 | 0.60 | $110,400 | $80,930 | $166,780 | -18% | 11% |
| California | 14,870 | 0.71 | $158,870 | $97,070 | $224,930 | +19% | 16% |
| Colorado | 16,380 | 4.93 | $139,230 | $94,920 | $206,600 | +4% | 16% |
| Connecticut | 1,570 | 0.80 | $143,890 | $98,180 | $197,040 | +7% | 13% |
| Delaware | 760 | 1.36 | $148,390 | $85,270 | $199,690 | +11% | 12% |
| District of Columbia | 1,490 | 1.84 | $137,670 | $102,450 | $205,420 | +3% | 17% |
| Florida | 9,370 | 0.82 | $132,800 | $81,500 | $184,680 | -1% | 16% |
| Georgia | 7,690 | 1.36 | $133,890 | $51,710 | $179,040 | -0% | 13% |
| Hawaii | 320 | 0.44 | $108,000 | $78,980 | $165,940 | -19% | 22% |
| Idaho | 720 | 0.72 | $107,620 | $70,720 | $174,510 | -20% | 15% |
| Illinois | 7,810 | 1.11 | $132,790 | $81,630 | $201,190 | -1% | 12% |
| Indiana | 2,030 | 0.55 | $124,190 | $76,270 | $174,580 | -7% | 11% |
| Iowa | 1,170 | 0.65 | $103,050 | $62,850 | $160,320 | -23% | 11% |
| Kansas | 1,770 | 1.06 | $100,610 | $62,320 | $159,920 | -25% | 13% |
| Kentucky | 1,710 | 0.74 | $103,740 | $62,850 | $168,350 | -23% | 12% |
| Louisiana | 470 | 0.21 | $106,620 | $78,930 | $162,340 | -20% | 12% |
| Maine | 570 | 0.77 | $108,570 | $83,990 | $158,480 | -19% | 13% |
| Maryland | 5,860 | 1.83 | $159,460 | $98,900 | $213,140 | +19% | 13% |
| Massachusetts | 6,270 | 1.49 | $155,060 | $98,730 | $211,580 | +16% | 14% |
| Michigan | 3,210 | 0.63 | $112,040 | $71,400 | $167,960 | -16% | 13% |
| Minnesota | 2,040 | 0.60 | $133,270 | $81,500 | $171,700 | -1% | 12% |
| Missouri | 3,360 | 0.99 | $103,130 | $62,080 | $168,820 | -23% | 12% |
| Montana | 250 | 0.42 | $104,300 | $73,970 | $162,590 | -22% | 14% |
| Nebraska | 1,350 | 1.14 | $116,420 | $77,570 | $163,200 | -13% | 11% |
| Nevada | 1,010 | 0.56 | $138,060 | $83,830 | $164,880 | +3% | 15% |
| New Hampshire | 560 | 0.71 | $125,420 | $76,080 | $209,530 | -6% | 15% |
| New Jersey | 5,660 | 1.14 | $162,350 | $101,730 | $213,630 | +21% | 13% |
| New Mexico | 420 | 0.42 | $109,080 | $70,680 | $152,260 | -19% | 12% |
| New York | 9,800 | 0.88 | $140,390 | $83,260 | $214,590 | +5% | 14% |
| North Carolina | 8,350 | 1.46 | $127,320 | $79,120 | $173,410 | -5% | 13% |
| North Dakota | 230 | 0.46 | $108,990 | $76,320 | $146,550 | -19% | 11% |
| Ohio | 5,150 | 0.80 | $131,070 | $84,340 | $180,640 | -2% | 10% |
| Oklahoma | 1,320 | 0.67 | $109,450 | $70,290 | $165,730 | -18% | 11% |
| Oregon | 1,540 | 0.68 | $135,660 | $90,360 | $173,880 | +1% | 14% |
| Pennsylvania | 6,080 | 0.87 | $131,840 | $79,240 | $188,120 | -2% | 11% |
| Rhode Island | 460 | 0.80 | $131,320 | $58,760 | $175,800 | -2% | 13% |
| South Carolina | 1,950 | 0.73 | $134,990 | $82,060 | $185,160 | +1% | 11% |
| South Dakota | 420 | 0.80 | $153,390 | $96,670 | $199,420 | +14% | 8% |
| Tennessee | 4,330 | 1.14 | $123,860 | $82,340 | $172,980 | -8% | 12% |
| Texas | 13,650 | 0.84 | $133,310 | $70,110 | $191,800 | -1% | 13% |
| Utah | 1,330 | 0.66 | $121,000 | $75,640 | $182,790 | -10% | 16% |
| Vermont | 130 | 0.37 | $110,930 | $84,970 | $155,420 | -17% | 14% |
| Virginia | 9,380 | 1.97 | $141,340 | $85,050 | $210,180 | +5% | 14% |
| Washington | 4,730 | 1.15 | $168,070 | $93,610 | $224,910 | +25% | 13% |
| West Virginia | 360 | 0.44 | $122,520 | $79,440 | $146,440 | -9% | 9% |
| Wisconsin | 2,170 | 0.64 | $131,720 | $87,280 | $172,690 | -2% | 10% |
| Wyoming | 50 | 0.16 | $100,520 | $79,180 | $134,970 | -25% | 12% |
Location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in the state than in the nation. "n/a" means BLS suppressed the figure. Rent uses the state median gross rent (ACS).
The 60 highest-paying metropolitan areas among those with at least 300 jobs in this occupation.
| Metropolitan area ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 2,730 | $186,110 | $129,340 | $274,500 | 2.08 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 3,710 | $172,650 | $93,880 | $243,590 | 1.54 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 3,350 | $166,760 | $121,160 | $242,150 | 1.22 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 10,230 | $163,010 | $101,240 | $216,880 | 0.93 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | 390 | $161,170 | $89,990 | $185,160 | 0.77 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | 5,240 | $160,650 | $100,050 | $211,820 | 1.68 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | 2,480 | $160,340 | $99,110 | $218,400 | 1.58 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 9,370 | $159,820 | $102,110 | $216,560 | 2.58 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | 690 | $159,720 | $102,790 | $196,540 | 1.00 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 1,490 | $157,700 | $86,240 | $212,050 | 0.84 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | 1,730 | $156,560 | $92,790 | $195,200 | 1.06 |
| Boulder, CO | 2,000 | $156,360 | $106,470 | $216,210 | 9.00 |
| Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV | 750 | $148,710 | $87,240 | $155,090 | 0.57 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 3,500 | $147,510 | $90,880 | $212,130 | 0.48 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | 970 | $144,990 | $104,310 | $184,780 | 2.43 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | 5,400 | $143,800 | $95,930 | $205,340 | 1.04 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 580 | $141,350 | $79,140 | $201,590 | 0.47 |
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ | 350 | $140,340 | $80,020 | $207,090 | 1.25 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | 10,260 | $139,230 | $94,740 | $206,270 | 5.51 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 3,070 | $138,850 | $87,370 | $205,140 | 0.92 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | 480 | $137,930 | $88,140 | $186,870 | 1.04 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 5,900 | $137,900 | $76,190 | $186,370 | 1.26 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | 1,050 | $137,200 | $96,550 | $185,760 | 0.75 |
| Jacksonville, FL | 820 | $136,100 | $87,130 | $175,080 | 0.92 |
| Madison, WI | 340 | $135,490 | $87,710 | $187,280 | 0.72 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | 2,350 | $134,410 | $95,280 | $173,800 | 1.50 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | 1,670 | $134,230 | $82,650 | $171,700 | 0.74 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | 790 | $134,070 | $92,190 | $169,890 | 0.83 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | 5,880 | $133,890 | $51,710 | $186,150 | 1.76 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | 1,700 | $133,710 | $70,920 | $188,670 | 1.13 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | 1,940 | $133,650 | $79,490 | $194,420 | 0.60 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | 1,170 | $133,000 | $83,500 | $183,610 | 0.92 |
| Huntsville, AL | 1,660 | $132,410 | $77,900 | $204,150 | 5.40 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | 3,330 | $131,990 | $82,300 | $176,830 | 1.21 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | 440 | $131,690 | $68,640 | $195,670 | 2.22 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | 620 | $131,320 | $78,260 | $165,060 | 1.00 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | 520 | $131,320 | $79,800 | $184,090 | 0.63 |
| Columbus, OH | 1,270 | $131,260 | $85,410 | $180,790 | 1.00 |
| Birmingham, AL | 880 | $131,140 | $74,810 | $168,740 | 1.46 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | 2,460 | $130,980 | $98,650 | $198,220 | 6.73 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | 1,500 | $130,750 | $81,040 | $176,800 | 0.90 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | 1,010 | $130,680 | $76,880 | $180,750 | 0.79 |
| Worcester, MA | 350 | $130,060 | $88,990 | $195,980 | 0.88 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | 360 | $129,430 | $85,470 | $180,670 | 0.83 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | 1,650 | $129,370 | $86,480 | $175,500 | 1.30 |
| Richmond, VA | 870 | $129,210 | $77,310 | $178,370 | 1.14 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | 1,570 | $128,830 | $76,630 | $171,800 | 0.71 |
| Cleveland, OH | 860 | $128,800 | $85,220 | $180,710 | 0.72 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | 720 | $128,260 | $80,030 | $169,670 | 0.55 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 400 | $128,110 | $74,630 | $181,170 | 0.20 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | 630 | $126,400 | $79,800 | $168,850 | 0.89 |
| Greeley, CO | 310 | $125,560 | $74,280 | $178,670 | 2.23 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | 2,200 | $124,900 | $67,020 | $171,760 | 0.58 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | 330 | $124,820 | $81,990 | $166,410 | 0.79 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 1,110 | $123,410 | $77,470 | $166,360 | 0.86 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | 300 | $122,200 | $72,870 | $167,610 | 0.78 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | 780 | $121,970 | $80,300 | $167,940 | 1.36 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | 430 | $121,000 | $77,840 | $168,370 | 0.83 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | 2,190 | $120,640 | $74,540 | $173,910 | 2.55 |
| Knoxville, TN | 480 | $117,480 | $78,930 | $161,510 | 0.98 |
The median is $134,050 a year ($64.45 an hour); the lowest-paid tenth earn under $79,900 and the highest-paid tenth over $202,680 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
179,740 in May 2025, and BLS projects +7.7% growth to 2035.
The typical entry education is: Bachelor's degree (BLS).
Washington, with a median of $168,070 (among states with published figures).