How to Become a Computer Network Architect in 2024
Computer network architects typically require a bachelor’s degree in a computer-related field and experience in a related occupation, such as a network and computer systems administrator.
Educate
Computer network architects typically require at least a bachelor’s degree in computer and information technology, engineering, or a related field.
Degree programs in computer-related areas provide future network architects with hands-on experience in network security or database design courses. These programs enable network architects to work with various technologies used in networking.
Employers of network architects sometimes prefer applicants to have an MBA in Information Systems.
MBA programs typically require more than 2 years of study at the undergraduate level, including business and computer-related courses.
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Work experience in a relevant occupation
Network architects typically require 5 to 10 years of experience working with information technology (IT) systems.
They usually have network and computer systems administrator experience but may come from other computer-related occupations, such as database administrators or computer systems analysts.
Licensing, Certification, and Registration
Product vendors or software companies usually offer certification programs. Vendor-specific certifications validate skills to ensure that network architects can work in a specific network environment. Companies may require their network architects to be certified in their products.
Progress
Some network architects advance to computer and information systems administrators.
Important qualities
Skills of analysis. A computer network architect must examine the data network and decide how best to connect the network based on the needs and resources of the organization.
Attention to detail. Computer network architects use precise information that describes how the parts of the network work together to create a comprehensive plan of the network they are making.
Communication ability. These workers must work with different employees to successfully design and implement computer and information networks.
Leadership. Many computer network architects mentor teams of engineers, such as computer hardware engineers, who build the networks they design.
Organizational skills. Computer network architects working for large corporations must coordinate many communication networks and make sure they work well together.
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Job prospect
Employment of computer network architects is projected to grow 5% from 2020 to 2030, below the average for all occupations.
Despite limited job growth, an average of about 11,000 computer network architect jobs are expected to open each year over the past decade.
Most job vacancies are expected to be due to the need to replace workers who move to a different occupation or exit the workforce (e.g., retirement).
Employment
The demand for computer network architects will grow as companies continue to design and build new information technology (IT) networks and upgrade existing networks. The expansion of healthcare information technology will also boost employment growth.
The adoption of cloud computing, which allows users to access storage, software, and other computer services online, is likely to dampen demand for computer network architects.
Organizations will no longer need to design and build networks in-house; instead, companies offering cloud services will be able to provide network resources.
Smaller companies with minimal IT requirements will find it more cost-effective to contract services from a cloud service provider.
However, because cloud providers’ computer network architects can work on multiple organizations’ networks, these providers don’t have to hire as many computer network architects as a single organization.
Pay
In May 2021, the median annual salary for computer network architects was $120,520. The median wage is when half of the workers in an occupation are paid more than that amount, and the other half are paid less. The bottom 10% earned less than $63,240, and the top 10% earned more than $168,890.
The median annual salaries for computer network architects in the top industries where they worked in May 2021 are as follows:
- Insurance companies and related activities $127,710
- Computer system design and associated services 121,410
- Corporate and business management 120,710
- Telecommunications 103,110
- Educational services; state, local and private 81,060
Most computer network architects work full-time. Some people work more than 40 hours a week.
