Computer Network Architects
15-1241.00
Bright Outlook Updated 2024

Design 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.

Sample of reported job titles: Computer Network Technologist, Network Analyst, Network Consultant, Network Systems Consultant, Networking Systems Engineer, Solutions Architect, System Programmer, Systems Engineer, WAN Engineer (Wide Area Network Engineer), Wireless Network Engineer

Also see: Telecommunications Engineering Specialists

Occupation-Specific Information

Tasks

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

  • Access software — Access management software; Citrix cloud computing software; Remote access software
  • Administration software — Cisco Systems CiscoWorks; Element management software; Netreo OmniCenter; Riverbed Technology; 9 more
  • Analytical or scientific software — Discrete event simulation software; Minitab; Root cause analysis software; The MathWorks MATLAB Hot technology
  • Application server software — Docker Hot technology ; Microsoft Windows Server Hot technology ; Red Hat OpenShift Hot technology ; Spring Boot Hot technology ; 4 more
  • Authentication server software — Microsoft Forefront Identify Manager
  • Backup or archival software — Computer Associates ArcServ Backup; System and data disaster recovery software; Veritas NetBackup
  • Bridge software — Network bridge software
  • Business intelligence and data analysis software — Apache Spark Hot technology ; IBM Cognos Impromptu; Oracle Business Intelligence Enterprise Edition; Tableau Hot technology ; 2 more
  • Cloud-based data access and sharing software — Microsoft SharePoint Hot technology
  • Cloud-based management software — Amazon Web Services AWS CloudFormation Hot technology ; IBM WebSphere; IBM WebSphere MQ Hot technology ; Splunk Enterprise Hot technology
  • Cloud-based protection or security software — SolarWinds
  • Clustering software — VMware
  • Communications server software — Email management software; IBM Domino
  • Computer aided design CAD software — Autodesk AutoCAD Hot technology ; Autodesk Revit Hot technology ; Dassault Systemes CATIA; Dassault Systemes SolidWorks Hot technology
  • Computer based training software
  • Configuration management software — Chef Hot technology ; Logical partition LPAR software; Perforce Helix software; Puppet Hot technology ; 4 more
  • Content workflow software — Atlassian JIRA Hot technology
  • Data base management system software — Amazon DynamoDB Hot technology ; Apache Hive Hot technology ; Elasticsearch Hot technology ; Oracle PL/SQL Hot technology ; 9 more
  • Data base reporting software — Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services SSRS Hot technology ; Network reporting software
  • Data base user interface and query software — Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud EC2 Hot technology ; Amazon Redshift Hot technology ; Amazon Web Services AWS software In-Demand Hot technology ; Transact-SQL Hot technology ; 5 more
  • Desktop communications software — BroadSoft BroadWorks
  • Development environment software — Apache Kafka Hot technology ; Apache Maven Hot technology ; Go Hot technology ; Microsoft PowerShell Hot technology ; 16 more
  • Electronic mail software — IBM Notes; Microsoft Exchange
  • Enterprise application integration software — Atlassian Bamboo Hot technology ; Extensible markup language XML Hot technology ; IBM InfoSphere DataStage; Oracle Fusion Middleware
  • Enterprise resource planning ERP software — Microsoft Dynamics Hot technology ; Oracle Fusion Applications; SAP software Hot technology
  • Enterprise system management software — IBM Power Systems software
  • Expert system software — Ansible software In-Demand Hot technology
  • File versioning software — Apache Subversion SVN Hot technology ; Git Hot technology
  • Financial analysis software — Oracle E-Business Suite Financials
  • Geographic information system — ESRI ArcGIS software Hot technology
  • Graphics or photo imaging software — Trimble SketchUp Pro Hot technology
  • Helpdesk or call center software — Help desk software; Ticket information tracking software
  • Human resources software — Human resource management software HRMS
  • Industrial control software — Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software
  • Instant messaging software — Blink
  • Internet browser software — Web browser software
  • Internet directory services software — Domain name system DNS; Microsoft Active Directory Hot technology
  • Internet protocol IP multimedia subsystem software — Multiprotocol Label Switching MPLS; Open Shortest Path First OSPF; Session Initiation Protocol SIP; Voice over internet protocol VoIP system software
  • LAN software — Local area network LAN software
  • Metadata management software — Quest Erwin Data Modeler
  • Network monitoring software — Nagios; Packet analysis software; Symantec Intruder Alert; Wireshark; 19 more
  • Network operating system enhancement software — EMC Smarts Network Protocol Manager; Infoblox NetMRI; Silver Peak; Wide area network WAN optimization software; 2 more
  • Network security and virtual private network VPN equipment software — Content filter software; Firewall software In Demand ; Network intrusion detection software
  • Network security or virtual private network VPN management software — Intrusion prevention system IPS; LogRhythm; Microsoft Forefront Threat Management Gateway; Virtual private networking VPN software; 7 more
  • Object or component oriented development software — C# Hot technology ; jQuery Hot technology ; Scala Hot technology ; Swift Hot technology ; 7 more
  • Object oriented data base management software — Hibernate ORM Hot technology ; PostgreSQL Hot technology
  • Office suite software — Microsoft Office software In-Demand Hot technology
  • Operating system software — Bash Hot technology ; Google Android Hot technology ; Shell script Hot technology ; UNIX Shell Hot technology ; 14 more
  • Optical network management software
  • Pattern design software — Diagramming software
  • Portal server software — Apache HTTP Server
  • Presentation software — Microsoft PowerPoint Hot technology
  • Process mapping and design software — Microsoft Visio In-Demand Hot technology
  • Program testing software — Hewlett Packard LoadRunner; JUnit Hot technology ; Segue SilkPerformer; Selenium Hot technology ; 1 more
  • Project management software — Atlassian Confluence Hot technology ; Microsoft Project Hot technology
  • Requirements analysis and system architecture software — Capacity planning software; Network architecture design software; Requirements management software; Unified modeling language UML
  • Spreadsheet software — Microsoft Excel Hot technology
  • Storage networking software — Amazon Simple Storage Service S3 Hot technology ; Network storage software; Storage area network SAN software; Storage management software
  • Switch or router software — Border Gateway Protocol BGP In-Demand Hot technology ; Cisco Systems Cisco Web Cache Communication Protocol WCCP; Cisco Systems Gateway Load Balancing Protocol GLBP; Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol VRRP; 4 more
  • Time accounting software — Time reporting software
  • Transaction security and virus protection software — CA eTrust; McAfee VirusScan; NortonLifeLock cybersecurity software; Ping Identity; 5 more
  • Transaction server software — Customer information control system CICS
  • Video conferencing software — Cisco Webex Hot technology ; Videoconferencing software
  • Video creation and editing software — Adobe After Effects Hot technology
  • WAN switching software and firmware — Wide area network WAN software
  • Web platform development software — Django Hot technology ; Google Angular Hot technology ; Microsoft ASP.NET Hot technology ; Spring Framework Hot technology ; 19 more
  • Word processing software — Microsoft Word Hot technology
Hot technology
Hot Technologies are requirements most frequently included across all employer job postings.
In demand
In Demand skills are frequently included in employer job postings for this occupation.

Occupational Requirements

Work Activities

  • Working with Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
  • Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
  • Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
  • Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
  • Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
  • Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
  • Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
  • Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
  • Communicating with People Outside the Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
  • Developing Objectives and Strategies — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
  • Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
  • Scheduling Work and Activities — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
  • Providing Consultation and Advice to Others — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
  • Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
  • Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
  • Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
  • Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
  • Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
  • Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
  • Monitoring and Controlling Resources — Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
  • Performing Administrative Activities — Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
  • Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
  • Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment — Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.

Detailed Work Activities

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Work Context

Experience Requirements

Job Zone

Title
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Education
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Related Experience
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Job Training
Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Job Zone Examples
Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include real estate brokers, sales managers, database administrators, graphic designers, conservation scientists, art directors, and cost estimators.
SVP Range
(7.0 to < 8.0)

Training & Credentials

State training
Local training
Certifications
Find certifications nationwide

Apprenticeship Opportunities

Example apprenticeship titles for this occupation:

  • Internetworking Technician

Specific title(s) listed above are vetted by industry and approved by the U.S. Department of Labor for use in a Registered Apprenticeship Program.

Start your career and build your skillset. Visit Apprenticeship.gov to learn about opportunities related to this occupation.

Worker Requirements

Skills

  • Critical Thinking — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
  • Reading Comprehension — Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
  • Complex Problem Solving — Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
  • Programming — Writing computer programs for various purposes.
  • Systems Evaluation — Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
  • Active Listening — Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Judgment and Decision Making — Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
  • Systems Analysis — Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
  • Writing — Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
  • Coordination — Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  • Speaking — Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Active Learning — Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
  • Quality Control Analysis — Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
  • Monitoring — Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • Technology Design — Generating or adapting equipment and technology to serve user needs.
  • Time Management — Managing one's own time and the time of others.
  • Instructing — Teaching others how to do something.
  • Learning Strategies — Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
  • Mathematics — Using mathematics to solve problems.
  • Negotiation — Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
  • Operations Monitoring — Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
  • Persuasion — Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
  • Service Orientation — Actively looking for ways to help people.
  • Social Perceptiveness — Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Knowledge

  • Computers and Electronics — Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
  • Engineering and Technology — Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
  • Telecommunications — Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
  • English Language — Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • Education and Training — Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
  • Design — Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
  • Customer and Personal Service — Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
  • Mathematics — Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Education

How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation? Respondents said:

  • 55%
     
    Bachelor’s degree required
  • 15%
     
    Post-secondary certificate required
  • 15%
     
    Associate’s degree required

Worker Characteristics

Abilities

  • Category Flexibility — The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
  • Deductive Reasoning — The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • Inductive Reasoning — The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
  • Information Ordering — The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
  • Oral Comprehension — The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Problem Sensitivity — The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
  • Written Comprehension — The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
  • Written Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
  • Near Vision — The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • Oral Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Speech Clarity — The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
  • Speech Recognition — The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
  • Flexibility of Closure — The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
  • Fluency of Ideas — The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
  • Mathematical Reasoning — The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
  • Originality — The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
  • Perceptual Speed — The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
  • Selective Attention — The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.

Interests

Interest code: ICR
Want to discover your interests? Take the O*NET Interest Profiler at My Next Move.
  • Investigative — Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.
  • Conventional — Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.
  • Realistic — Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

Work Values

  • Achievement — Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
  • Working Conditions — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
  • Independence — Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.

Work Styles

  • Attention to Detail — Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
  • Analytical Thinking — Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
  • Dependability — Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
  • Initiative — Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
  • Integrity — Job requires being honest and ethical.
  • Persistence — Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
  • Achievement/Effort — Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
  • Stress Tolerance — Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
  • Adaptability/Flexibility — Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
  • Cooperation — Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
  • Independence — Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
  • Innovation — Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
  • Self-Control — Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
  • Leadership — Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.

Workforce Characteristics

Wages & Employment Trends

Median wages (2023)
$62.42 hourly, $129,840 annual
State wages
Local wages
Employment (2023)
177,800 employees
Projected growth (2023-2033)
Much faster than average (9% or higher)
Projected job openings (2023-2033)
12,300
State trends
Top industries (2023)

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2023 wage data and 2023-2033 employment projections . “Projected growth” represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2023-2033). “Projected job openings” represent openings due to growth and replacement.

Job Openings on the Web

State job openings
Local job openings

More Information

Professional Associations

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National Associations
Accreditation, Certification, & Unions