Computer Network Architects
Also called: Computer Network Technologist, Network Analyst, Solutions Architect, Systems EngineerDesign 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.
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What the data says: AI could halve the time on 30 of its 33 tasks, yet jobs are projected to grow 7.7% by 2035. In the most exposed occupations, the squeeze shows up first among early-career workers. How to think about this →
About this projection
BLS builds AI into its projections where the research supports it: “BLS generally applies adjustments based on this research conservatively, where there is convincing evidence for a change.”
It also notes a limit: “BLS projection methods are not designed to capture extremely rapid technological change.”
On its AI exposure groups, BLS says exposure “does not imply job loss.”
BLS figures cover the broader occupation “Computer network architects”, which includes this one and others.
Recent conditions
- In 2024, 1.4% of people in this work were unemployed, against 3.8% across all occupations Census ACS 2024
- From Sep 2025 to Aug 2026, 7.9 hires for every 10 job openings in professional and business services, which employs about 52% of people in this work, against 7.3 across all industries BLS JOLTS
One box per opening, filled for each hire; hires beyond the openings are added in a lighter shade. Higher can mean openings get filled, or that people leave often; lower, that jobs go unfilled, or hiring is slow.7.9 this industry7.3 all industries
Median pay by state BLS OEWS May 2025, state estimates
Tap a state for its figures.
Median pay in every state
| State | Median | Middle half earn | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $130,810 | $99,660 to $157,900 | 4,200 |
| Alaska | $119,720 | $102,790 to $156,440 | 120 |
| Arizona | $130,890 | $101,660 to $164,990 | 3,990 |
| Arkansas | $110,400 | $97,780 to $137,770 | 910 |
| California | $158,870 | $127,610 to $197,100 | 14,870 |
| Colorado | $139,230 | $123,640 to $168,880 | 16,380 |
| Connecticut | $143,890 | $126,070 to $173,920 | 1,570 |
| Delaware | $148,390 | $113,060 to $170,220 | 760 |
| District of Columbia | $137,670 | $112,320 to $171,280 | 1,490 |
| Florida | $132,800 | $103,920 to $166,910 | 9,370 |
| Georgia | $133,890 | $97,240 to $166,580 | 7,690 |
| Hawaii | $108,000 | $81,610 to $135,310 | 320 |
| Idaho | $107,620 | $81,560 to $137,770 | 720 |
| Illinois | $132,790 | $105,410 to $166,720 | 7,810 |
| Indiana | $124,190 | $93,120 to $150,100 | 2,030 |
| Iowa | $103,050 | $80,120 to $131,440 | 1,170 |
| Kansas | $100,610 | $76,440 to $129,870 | 1,770 |
| Kentucky | $103,740 | $78,640 to $130,330 | 1,710 |
| Louisiana | $106,620 | $96,270 to $128,380 | 470 |
| Maine | $108,570 | $99,130 to $128,390 | 570 |
| Maryland | $159,460 | $124,700 to $176,240 | 5,860 |
| Massachusetts | $155,060 | $120,020 to $172,800 | 6,270 |
| Michigan | $112,040 | $87,100 to $145,040 | 3,210 |
| Minnesota | $133,270 | $104,140 to $157,130 | 2,040 |
| Mississippi | $90,990 | $74,710 to $132,600 | not published |
| Missouri | $103,130 | $78,830 to $136,170 | 3,360 |
| Montana | $104,300 | $89,830 to $130,710 | 250 |
| Nebraska | $116,420 | $88,720 to $139,070 | 1,350 |
| Nevada | $138,060 | $105,770 to $151,570 | 1,010 |
| New Hampshire | $125,420 | $94,770 to $169,430 | 560 |
| New Jersey | $162,350 | $129,110 to $185,710 | 5,660 |
| New Mexico | $109,080 | $85,400 to $126,550 | 420 |
| New York | $140,390 | $108,230 to $173,220 | 9,800 |
| North Carolina | $127,320 | $104,220 to $161,840 | 8,350 |
| North Dakota | $108,990 | $93,950 to $133,480 | 230 |
| Ohio | $131,070 | $102,630 to $162,400 | 5,150 |
| Oklahoma | $109,450 | $85,440 to $133,690 | 1,320 |
| Oregon | $135,660 | $105,750 to $161,020 | 1,540 |
| Pennsylvania | $131,840 | $102,230 to $165,880 | 6,080 |
| Puerto Rico | $78,200 | $60,070 to $98,680 | 240 |
| Rhode Island | $131,320 | $107,310 to $167,320 | 460 |
| South Carolina | $134,990 | $107,970 to $168,620 | 1,950 |
| South Dakota | $153,390 | $116,770 to $199,420 | 420 |
| Tennessee | $123,860 | $102,050 to $148,060 | 4,330 |
| Texas | $133,310 | $100,390 to $166,220 | 13,650 |
| Utah | $121,000 | $99,180 to $150,170 | 1,330 |
| Vermont | $110,930 | $95,000 to $131,630 | 130 |
| Virginia | $141,340 | $109,760 to $174,510 | 9,380 |
| Washington | $168,070 | $126,470 to $200,940 | 4,730 |
| West Virginia | $122,520 | $90,760 to $131,210 | 360 |
| Wisconsin | $131,720 | $105,190 to $159,690 | 2,170 |
| Wyoming | $100,520 | $82,800 to $102,060 | 50 |
Nationally: $134,050. Shades run from the lowest state median to the highest; a territory below that range takes the lightest. How to read this
How AI touches the work
What AI could speed up, task by task, and where people already use it.
AI could halve the time on 30 of its 33 tasks
| AI rating | Its main tasks | Share of Claude conversations May 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| AI alone | Develop disaster recovery plans. | Not published |
| AI + software | Develop or recommend network security measures, such as firewalls, network security audits, or automated security probes. | Not published |
| AI + software | Develop and implement solutions for network problems. | Not published |
| AI + software | Maintain networks by performing activities such as file addition, deletion, or backup. | Not published |
| AI + software | Coordinate network operations, maintenance, repairs, or upgrades. | Not published |
| Not much | Coordinate installation of new equipment. | Not published |
See all 33 tasks
| AI + software | 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. | under 0.01% |
| AI + software | Develop network-related documentation. | Not published |
| AI alone | Develop and write procedures for installation, use, or troubleshooting of communications hardware or software. | Not published |
| AI + software | Design, build, or operate equipment configuration prototypes, including network hardware, software, servers, or server operation systems. | Not published |
| AI + software | Develop conceptual, logical, or physical network designs. | under 0.01% |
| AI alone | Communicate with vendors to gather information about products, alert them to future needs, resolve problems, or address system maintenance issues. | Not published |
| AI + software | Adjust network sizes to meet volume or capacity demands. | Not published |
| AI + software | Determine specific network hardware or software requirements, such as platforms, interfaces, bandwidths, or routine schemas. | under 0.01% |
| AI + software | Prepare detailed network specifications, including diagrams, charts, equipment configurations, or recommended technologies. | under 0.01% |
| AI + software | Evaluate network designs to determine whether customer requirements are met efficiently and effectively. | Not published |
| AI + software | Communicate with customers, sales staff, or marketing staff to determine customer needs. | Not published |
| AI + software | Participate in network technology upgrade or expansion projects, including installation of hardware and software and integration testing. | Not published |
| AI alone | Communicate with system users to ensure accounts are set up properly or to diagnose and solve operational problems. | under 0.01% |
| AI + software | Develop plans or budgets for network equipment replacement. | Not published |
| AI + software | Research and test new or modified hardware or software products to determine performance and interoperability. | under 0.01% |
| AI + software | Coordinate network or design activities with designers of associated networks. | Not published |
| AI alone | Develop procedures to track, project, or report network availability, reliability, capacity, or utilization. | Not published |
| AI + software | Estimate time and materials needed to complete projects. | 0.02% |
| AI + software | Prepare design presentations and proposals for staff or customers. | under 0.01% |
| AI alone | Design, organize, and deliver product awareness, skills transfer, or product education sessions for staff or suppliers. | Not published |
| AI + software | Visit vendors, attend conferences or training sessions, or study technical journals to keep up with changes in technology. | Not published |
| AI + software | Use network computer-aided design (CAD) software packages to optimize network designs. | Not published |
| Not much | Supervise engineers or other staff in the design or implementation of network solutions. | Not published |
| AI + software | Prepare or monitor project schedules, budgets, or cost control systems. | Not published |
| AI + software | Explain design specifications to integration or test engineers. | under 0.01% |
| AI alone | Develop or maintain project reporting systems. | Not published |
| Not much | Maintain or coordinate the maintenance of network peripherals, such as printers. | Not published |
Ordered by how important O*NET's respondents rate each task (1 to 5) times the share who say it is part of their job. The ordering is ours. 9 of the 33 have a published share of Claude conversations; “not published” means too few conversations for Anthropic to publish a figure.
Where people already use AI
The tasks above say what AI could speed up. This shows what people are using it for. Its 33 tasks fall under 26 work activities that many occupations share, and Microsoft counted how often each one came up in 200,000 conversations with its Copilot assistant in 2024.
- #4 Maintain current knowledge in area of expertise
- #25 Communicate with others about specifications or project details
- #27 Research technology designs or applications
- and 2 more, in the table below
| Work activity | This occupation's tasks under it | People asked AI for help in 10,000 conversations |
AI did it for them in 10,000 conversations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maintain electronic, computer, or other technical equipment | |||
| Communicate with others about specifications or project details | |||
| Develop operational or technical procedures or standards | |||
| Research technology designs or applications | |||
| Advise others on the design or use of technologies | |||
| Develop models of systems, processes, or products | |||
| Set up computer systems, networks, or other information systems | |||
| Develop technical specifications for products or operations |
Show all 26 activities
| Design computer or information systems or applications | |||
| Monitor operation of computer or information technologies | |||
| Manage budgets or finances | |||
| Maintain current knowledge in area of expertise | |||
| Resolve computer problems | |||
| Analyze market or industry conditions | |||
| Coordinate with others to resolve problems | |||
| Document technical designs, procedures, or activities | |||
| Test performance of computer or information systems | |||
| Estimate project development or operational costs | |||
| Analyze data to improve operations | |||
| Evaluate project feasibility | |||
| Direct organizational operations, activities, or procedures | |||
| Coordinate regulatory compliance activities | |||
| Train others to use equipment or products | |||
| Direct scientific or technical activities | |||
| Develop contingency or emergency response plans | |||
| Supervise personnel activities |
How people in this work use Claude
What people in this work made with Claude % of conversations
- An explanation or answer18%
- A document or report14%
- Configuration or infrastructure11%
- A plan or strategy11%
- Advice or a recommendation8%
How they worked with Claude
68% of these conversations were about work. Anthropic Economic Index, May 2026.
How to read this
Work activities come from O*NET, which links every task to the broader activities it involves. Microsoft's figures are for the activity across everyone who used Copilot, not for computer network architects specifically. Copilot is a general chat assistant; dedicated coding tools are not included, so programming help is under-counted here. Activities are listed by how many of this occupation's tasks fall under them.
The task ratings say whether AI could halve the time a task takes: on its own (“AI alone”), or with software built on it (“AI + software”). They were made by people in 2023 (Eloundou et al.). Claude's share is the task's share of all Claude.ai conversations in May 2026; Anthropic doesn't publish a task with too few conversations. None of these add up to the BLS exposure group, which combines five research measures.
More in the Guide: task ratings · task order · work activities · Copilot figures · Claude
High exposure doesn't mean fewer jobs
BLS projects most occupations in its two most exposed groups to grow: 141 of 206 rated Very high and 165 of 206 rated High. Each dot is one of the 831 occupations BLS rates.
Career moves into and out of this occupation
From moves between occupations found in online resumes, 2002–2016. Career changes only: a first job after school isn't a move.
Where people moved next
of 124,337 moves out
- 1 Computer Occupations, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 15%
- 2 Network and Computer Systems Administrators Very high -4.1% 7%
- 3 Managers, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 7%
- 4 Management Analysts Very high +10.1% 5%
- 5 Computer User Support Specialists Very high -3.5% 4%
Where people moved in from
of 122,558 moves in
- 1 Computer Occupations, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 13%
- 2 Network and Computer Systems Administrators Very high -4.1% 9%
- 3 Computer User Support Specialists Very high -3.5% 7%
- 4 Managers, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 5%
- 5 Software Developers, Applications (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 4%
Resumes over-represent younger, white-collar job-seekers and moves into management. Schubert, Stansbury and Taska (resume data).
Education and training for the occupation
O*NET survey of workers in this occupation
- 5% less than high school
- 15% postsecondary certificate
- 15% associate's
- 55% bachelor's
- 5% post-bachelor's certificate
- 5% master's
O*NET 31.0 survey of workers in this occupation · 20 people answered.
Census survey (American Community Survey)
- 1% less than high school
- 6% high school
- 20% some college
- 13% associate's
- 45% bachelor's
- 14% master's
- 1% doctorate
Census ACS 2024, all workers in this occupation · 1,187 people surveyed.
Why the two can differ
O*NET asks about 20 people in each occupation, which makes its shares uncertain, but it reports the exact occupation and counts certificates. The Census survey reaches thousands, but it groups some occupations together and counts degrees only. More in the Guide
Median pay by highest degree full-time, year-round · Census ACS 2024, all workers in this occupation
9 programs, such as Computer and Information Sciences, General, Information Technology and Computer Systems Analysis/Analyst.
See all
- Computer and Information Sciences, General
- Information Technology
- Computer Systems Analysis/Analyst
- Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications
- Cloud Computing
- Network and System Administration/Administrator
- Computer and Information Systems Security/Auditing/Information Assurance
- Computer Engineering, General
- Computer Engineering, Other
Jobs that require a credential BLS Occupational Requirements Survey 2023
BLS publishes no credential figures for this occupation.
Look up certifications, training and licenses U.S. Department of Labor
- Certification Finder ↗ certifications CareerOneStop lists for this occupation
- Training Finder ↗ schools and programs, nationwide; narrow the place there
- License Finder ↗ licenses by state
- Apprenticeship Finder ↗ DOL lists 2 registered apprenticeships in this occupation (Computer Network Architect (NOF); INTERNETWORKING TECHNICIAN). Apprenticeship.gov can't be linked to one occupation, so search for “Computer Network Architects” there.
These open in a new tab and send only the occupation's public code. More in the Guide
BLS AI exposure categories (Aug 2026) · BLS Employment Projections 2025–35 · O*NET 31.0 · Task ratings: Eloundou et al., Science (2024) · Microsoft "Working with AI" v1.1 · Anthropic Economic Index (2026-06-26) · Schubert, Stansbury and Taska · NCES CIP–SOC · Census ACS 2024 · BLS JOLTS · Brynjolfsson, Chandar and Chen, Stanford (Aug 2026)
See it online, and explore any career: https://www.pathmosaic.com/card/15-1241.00