Salary and Outlook

According to the US Department of Labor, there are 165,200 people employed as computer network architects in the United States. The median annual salary is $116,800. Entry level employees earn approximately $67,190 per year and senior employees earn approximately $175,570 per year.

Estimates do not include other potential benefits such as health insurance, overtime pay, or retirement benefits that may be offered by employers.

Job Duties

• Develop or recommend network security measures, such as firewalls, network security audits, or automated security probes.
• Develop disaster recovery plans.
• 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.
• Coordinate network or design activities with designers of associated networks.
• Develop conceptual, logical, or physical network designs.
• Develop and implement solutions for network problems.
• Determine specific network hardware or software requirements, such as platforms, interfaces, bandwidths, or routine schemas.
• Communicate with system users to ensure accounts are set up properly or to diagnose and solve operational problems.
• Visit vendors, attend conferences or training sessions, or study technical journals to keep up with changes in technology.
• Evaluate network designs to determine whether customer requirements are met efficiently and effectively.
• Prepare or monitor project schedules, budgets, or cost control systems.
• Develop plans or budgets for network equipment replacement.
• Coordinate installation of new equipment.
• Explain design specifications to integration or test engineers.
• Develop or maintain project reporting systems.
• Use network computer-aided design (CAD) software packages to optimize network designs.
• Maintain or coordinate the maintenance of network peripherals, such as printers.
• Develop network-related documentation.
• Develop and write procedures for installation, use, or troubleshooting of communications hardware or software.
• Communicate with vendors to gather information about products, alert them to future needs, resolve problems, or address system maintenance issues.
• Maintain networks by performing activities such as file addition, deletion, or backup.
• Design, organize, and deliver product awareness, skills transfer, or product education sessions for staff or suppliers.
• Estimate time and materials needed to complete projects.
• Supervise engineers or other staff in the design or implementation of network solutions.
• Coordinate network operations, maintenance, repairs, or upgrades.
• Develop procedures to track, project, or report network availability, reliability, capacity, or utilization.
• Research and test new or modified hardware or software products to determine performance and interoperability.
• Communicate with customers, sales staff, or marketing staff to determine customer needs.
• Prepare design presentations and proposals for staff or customers.
• Design, build, or operate equipment configuration prototypes, including network hardware, software, servers, or server operation systems.
• Participate in network technology upgrade or expansion projects, including installation of hardware and software and integration testing.
• Adjust network sizes to meet volume or capacity demands.
• Prepare detailed network specifications, including diagrams, charts, equipment configurations, or recommended technologies.

Career List