Network Architect Salary: Your 2026 Guide

Key takeaways

• Network architects are among the highest-paid professionals in the tech field, earning an average annual pay of $105,375 to $171,000 [1, 2].

• The median total senior network architect salary is $195,000 [3].

• The median total network security architect salary is $209,000 [4].

The median total Cisco network architect salary is $226,000 [5], while the median total principal network architect salary is $229,000 [6]. Learn more about the network architect role and the various factors that may impact your salary in this career field. If you're ready to pursue a career in networking, consider starting with the Akamai Network Engineering Professional Certificate. You'll have the opportunity to build job-ready skills and gain credentials to go from beginner to launching a career in network operations in three months or less.

What does a network architect do?

Network architects work for companies or organizations to design data communications networks, test and implement networks, upgrade hardware, and recommend technology upgrades. Network architects also manage and deploy local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), and intranets, aligning with the company's needs. They may also review current networks to improve or troubleshoot network issues. Network architects can work in a wide range of industries, including computer systems design, telecommunications, data processing, cloud computing, insurance, finance, and more.

Read more: A Guide to Network Architectures

How much does a network architect make?

Based on data from various salary aggregate sites, the average annual pay for network architects ranges from $105,375 to $171,000* as of July 2026 [1, 2]. Network architect salaries from four salary websites are as follows [1, 7, 8, 2]:

The Glassdoor salary figure includes base salary and additional pay, which may represent profit-sharing, commissions, bonuses, or other compensation.

Factors that may affect network architect salary

Factors such as your education level and experience in the field can boost your potential earnings. Where you live can also affect your salary, including the demand for network architects in your location or the cost of living in a particular area. Some industries and sectors may also offer higher salaries than others for this position.

Education

A network architect's salary could depend on their education level, with master’s degree holders having the highest earning potential as a network architect. The difference in the average annual salary for a network architect based on education level is as follows [9]:

• High school diploma: $102,131

• Associate degree: $103,469

• Bachelor’s degree: $114,409

• Master’s degree: $118,608

Experience

Previous experience as a network architect or similar role can affect your earnings, as more experience in the field can lead to a higher annual income. Below, find the estimated average salary you can expect based on your experience. These figures include base salary and additional pay, which may represent profit-sharing, commissions, bonuses, or other compensation [2]:

• 0–1 year: $111,000

• 1–3 years: $113,000

• 4–6 years: $135,000

• 7–9 years: $152,000

• 10–14 years: $170,000

• 15+ years: $197,000

Industry

You can work in various industries as a network architect, with some companies and organizations needing employees in this position more than others. Industries with the highest concentration of network architects are as follows [10]:

• Computer systems design and related services

• Management of companies and enterprises

• Telecommunications

• Computing infrastructure providers, data processing, web hosting, and related services

• Employment services

Industries that offer the highest mean salaries for network architects include [10]:

• Web search portals, libraries, archives, and other information services: $174,550

• Alumina and aluminum production and processing: $172,060

• Couriers and express delivery services: $169,380

• Monetary authorities-central bank: $166,400

• Aerospace product and parts manufacturing: $163,240

Location

Where you live can affect your earnings as a network architect, depending on the cost of living, demand for work in the area, and other regional factors.

The top five highest-paying states for network architects in the US and their mean salaries are [10]:

• Washington: $$164,930

• California: $161,350

• New Jersey: $159,330

• Maryland: $156,070

• Massachusetts: $151,770

Some cities offer the opportunity for higher earnings than others based on the cost of living or the number of network architect positions. You can earn more if you live in one of these areas or are willing to relocate [10]:

• San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, California: $192,650

• San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, California: $172,850

• Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, Washington: $171,920

• Rochester, Minnesota: $163,430

• New York-Newark-Jersey City, New York-New Jersey: $161,380

Additional network architect salary figures

Explore additional network architect roles and their median total pay, including base salary and additional pay such as profit-sharing, commissions, bonuses, or other compensation:

Senior network architect salary: $195,000 [3]

Network security architect salary: $209,000 [4]

Related job titles

Other positions related to network architecture can help you gain additional experience, or you can find a job that better fits your interests if you don’t want to become a network architect.

A computer hardware engineer designs, develops, and tests computer components or systems. You can earn a median annual wage of $155,020 as a computer hardware engineer [11].

You may also want to work as a network and computer systems administrator, which involves installing, configuring, and maintaining computer networks and systems. In this role, you can expect to earn a median annual wage of $96,800 [12].

• Cisco network architect salary: $226,000 [5]

• Principal network architect salary: $229,000 [6]

Are network architects in demand?

Network architect positions are projected to grow 12 percent from 2024 to 2034, above the national average of 4 percent for all occupations [13]. You can expect about 11,200 new openings in the field from 2024 to 2034 [13].

Positions for network architects will continue to grow as companies and organizations design and deploy new information technology networks or update existing networks.

Explore our free career resources

Keep your finger on the pulse with our LinkedIn newsletter, Career Chat. Or check out the following free resources to keep learning more:

• Watch on YouTube: What Can You Do with a Computer Science Degree?

• Learn AI terms: Artificial Intelligence Glossary: Learn AI Vocabulary

• Take the Quiz: Career Test: What Career is Right for Me Quiz?

Accelerate your career growth with a Coursera Plus subscription. When you enroll in either the monthly or annual option, you’ll get access to over 10,000 courses.