Computer Network Architects
SOC 15-1241 • View wages by state
The median annual wage for Computer Network Architects is $129,840, based on BLS OEWS 2023 data. The mean annual wage is $133,930, and an estimated 174,100 workers are employed in this occupation nationally. Between 2020 and 2023, pay rose +11.2% while consumer prices rose 17.7% — a real change of -5.6% (pay did not keep up with inflation). BLS projects employment will grow 11.9% between 2024 and 2034.
Wage Trend & Inflation Adjustment
How the national median wage for Computer Network Architects has moved across BLS OEWS release years, and what each year's wage is worth in 2023 dollars after adjusting for CPI inflation. "Real" change strips out inflation — the truest measure of whether pay is actually rising.
| Year | Median (nominal) | In 2023 $ (real) | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $129,840 | $129,840 | 174,100 |
| 2022 | $126,900 | $132,124 | 173,920 |
| 2021 | $120,520 | $135,523 | 168,830 |
| 2020 | $116,780 | $137,487 | 159,350 |
Nominal change
+11.2%
Inflation (CPI)
+17.7%
Real change
-5.6%
Job Outlook (2024–2034 BLS projection)
The BLS Employment Projections program estimates how each occupation's employment will change over the coming decade, and how many job openings to expect each year (from both growth and the need to replace workers who leave).
Projected Growth
+11.9%
Much faster than average
Employment 2024
179,200
Projected 2034
200,600
Annual Openings
11,200
Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.
Highest-Paying Areas (2023)
Where Computer Network Architects earn the most, and how each area's median compares to the national median of $129,840. A positive premium means the area pays above the national rate.
| Area | Median Annual | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $175,610 | +35.3% | 50 |
| Washington | $164,500 | +26.7% | 4,270 |
| East South Dakota nonmetropolitan area | $155,160 | +19.5% | 110 |
| Massachusetts | $153,200 | +18% | 4,940 |
| South Dakota | $152,990 | +17.8% | 740 |
| California | $144,980 | +11.7% | 17,560 |
| New Jersey | $144,670 | +11.4% | 6,810 |
| Maryland | $144,280 | +11.1% | 6,760 |
| Virginia | $136,410 | +5.1% | 10,770 |
| Northern New Mexico nonmetropolitan area | $135,220 | +4.1% | — |
Wage Distribution (National, 2023)
10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentile annual wages from BLS OEWS — the full spread, not just an average.
10th Pct
$77,960
25th Pct
$100,120
Median
$129,840
75th Pct
$164,080
90th Pct
$195,000
H-1B Employer Filings
Employer-certified wages from DOL H-1B LCA filings — competitive market benchmark, not approved visas.
| Employer | State | Filings | Median Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Corporation | WA | 12 | $201,380 |
| AMAZON DATA SERVICES, INC. | WA | 10 | $184,000 |
| Charter Communications, Inc. | CO | 9 | $189,799 |
| Amazon Web Services, Inc. | WA | 7 | $120,800 |
| Google LLC | CA | 6 | $207,000 |
| Nokia of America Corporation | TX | 5 | $130,000 |
| Comcast Cable Communications, LLC | NJ | 4 | $158,948 |
| Juniper Networks (US), Inc. | VA | 4 | $156,032 |
| Morgan Stanley Services Group Inc. | NY | 4 | $162,000 |
| Hitachi Vantara LLC | TX | 4 | $96,720 |
| KFORCE INC. | TX | 4 | $150,862 |
| Visualization LLC | TX | 4 | $110,000 |
| Ericsson Inc. | TX | 3 | $141,772 |
| Naztec International Group LLC | FL | 3 | $105,217 |
| COGNIZANT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS US CORP | TX | 3 | $128,690 |
| Knowac IT Services LLC | TX | 3 | $110,000 |
| Juniper Networks (US), Inc. | TX | 3 | $124,290 |
| CSC Holdings, LLC | NY | 3 | $130,513 |
| Microsoft Corporation | TX | 2 | $201,145 |
| Amazon.com Services LLC | VA | 2 | $130,000 |
Source: DOL Office of Foreign Labor Certification, H-1B LCA data.
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