Salary Range & Percentiles
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$79,900
- 25th Percentile — Junior$104,620
- 50th Percentile — Median$134,050
- 75th Percentile — Senior$168,200
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$202,680
The top 10% of Computer Network Architects earn $202,680 or more per year. Entry-level professionals can expect to start around $79,900, with significant growth over the first 5 years.
Salary by State
Geographic salary comparison
| State | Avg Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $164,930 | +18.2% |
| California | $161,350 | +15.6% |
| New Jersey | $159,330 | +14.1% |
| Maryland | $156,070 | +11.8% |
| Massachusetts | $151,770 | +8.7% |
| South Dakota | $151,620 | +8.6% |
| Connecticut | $148,180 | +6.2% |
| New York | $147,700 | +5.8% |
| Virginia | $147,660 | +5.8% |
| Colorado | $146,160 | +4.7% |
| District of Columbia | $145,960 | +4.6% |
| Delaware | $143,630 | +2.9% |
| Illinois | $138,530 | -0.8% |
| Florida | $137,290 | -1.6% |
| South Carolina | $136,370 | -2.3% |
| Pennsylvania | $136,290 | -2.4% |
| Oregon | $135,470 | -2.9% |
| Texas | $134,820 | -3.4% |
| New Hampshire | $133,880 | -4.1% |
| Minnesota | $133,830 | -4.1% |
| Wisconsin | $133,230 | -4.5% |
| Ohio | $133,060 | -4.7% |
| Nevada | $132,760 | -4.9% |
| Arizona | $131,420 | -5.8% |
| Rhode Island | $131,220 | -6.0% |
| North Carolina | $130,700 | -6.4% |
| Georgia | $129,370 | -7.3% |
| Alabama | $128,680 | -7.8% |
| Utah | $127,970 | -8.3% |
| Alaska | $127,400 | -8.7% |
| Tennessee | $127,270 | -8.8% |
| Indiana | $123,940 | -11.2% |
| Arkansas | $119,000 | -14.7% |
| Nebraska | $118,960 | -14.8% |
| Idaho | $118,790 | -14.9% |
| Michigan | $118,490 | -15.1% |
| Hawaii | $118,260 | -15.3% |
| Vermont | $117,370 | -15.9% |
| Oklahoma | $115,160 | -17.5% |
| Maine | $115,030 | -17.6% |
| West Virginia | $114,450 | -18.0% |
| Louisiana | $114,070 | -18.3% |
| North Dakota | $112,630 | -19.3% |
| Montana | $111,320 | -20.2% |
| Missouri | $111,160 | -20.4% |
| Kentucky | $110,120 | -21.1% |
| Iowa | $109,740 | -21.4% |
| New Mexico | $108,650 | -22.2% |
| Kansas | $105,830 | -24.2% |
| Mississippi | $104,060 | -25.4% |
| Wyoming | $100,240 | -28.2% |
What Factors Affect Computer Network Architects Salary?
Key factors affecting compensation
Pay for Computer Network Architects is influenced by geographic location, years of experience, employer type, and educational background. Location alone is a large factor: Washington pays an average of $164,930, while Wyoming pays $100,240 — a gap of $64,690 per year.
Experience plays a major role in compensation. Entry-level Computer Network Architects typically earn $79,900–$104,620 per year, while senior professionals with 10+ years of experience can command $168,200–$202,680 annually. Specialization and advanced certifications can further boost earning potential.
Employer size also matters. Large corporations and government agencies tend to offer more competitive packages including benefits, retirement plans, and bonuses. The Computer Network Architects role currently has medium demand in the job market with a 5.5% growth rate, making it one of the most growing careers in the Technology sector.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average salary for Computer Network Architects?
The average salary for Computer Network Architects in the United States is $139,580 per year, with a median of $134,050.
What is the starting salary for Computer Network Architects?
Entry-level Computer Network Architects typically earn between $79,900 and $104,620 per year depending on location and employer.
What state pays Computer Network Architects the most?
Washington pays Computer Network Architects the most at $164,930 per year on average, followed by California ($161,350) and New Jersey ($159,330).
How much do Computer Network Architects make per hour?
Based on the average annual salary of $139,580, Computer Network Architects earn approximately $67.11 per hour (based on 2,080 working hours/year).
Is Computer Network Architects a good career in 2026?
BLS counts 179,740 Computer Network Architects jobs in the United States, with a mean annual wage of $139,580 and a median of $134,050 (OEWS May 2025). This site does not publish job-growth projections; the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook covers the outlook for each occupation.
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