Computer network architects
SOC Code: 15-1241
Computer network architects carries a 49% AI exposure score (High automation risk), with a median annual wage of $130,390 and +11.9% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 179,200 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
At 49% AI exposure, Computer network architects sits 12 points above the 37.2% average across 832 U.S. occupations - more exposed than 86% of them. Most of its core tasks still require human judgment.
Career outlook score
71/100
Computer network architects, weighted across 3 of 3 tracked dimensions
A weighted composite of median wage, projected growth, and AI-automation security (inverted exposure), each benchmarked against every other tracked occupation. It describes this occupation's standing across those three dimensions, not a guarantee of future outcomes.
- Median wage A+ $130,390
Annual median wage, percentile rank vs all tracked occupations
- Projected growth A+ +11.9%
Projected employment change, 2024-2034, BLS Employment Projections
- AI exposure (inverted) F 49% exposure
Lower O*NET task-automability scores lower risk; this dimension scores security, not exposure
Home health and personal care aides is #1 of 832 occupations by employment (4.3M, AI exposure rank #392 at 35%) vs. Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks #1 by AI task exposure (95%, employment rank #17 at 1.6M).
Automation-risk inventory
Exclusive cut of 832 occupations by PlainWorkforce automation-risk band. Orthogonal to the continuous AI-exposure distribution chart below and to this occupation's single risk badge, this is the corpus band mix, with Computer network architects in the High band.
Credential × growth standing
Bachelor's bar with above-average BLS growth
Computer network architects sits in the Bachelor's entry band (178 of 832 occupations) and the Fast growth pace bucket (67 of 832). That pairing is rarer than the HS / some-college + declining cluster that dominates the BLS map - treat the degree bar as the binding gate while the growth line stays supportive.
Where Computer network architects sits among all occupations
AI-exposure score distribution across 832 U.S. occupations (O*NET task analysis). This occupation is marked in rose.
Where Computer network architects sits by AI exposure
AI-exposure score distribution across U.S. occupations (O*NET task analysis)
49% Higher than most higher than 86% of 832 occupations
Occupations, banded by AI-exposure score
Each bar is a band; taller bars hold more occupations. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count and share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Source O*NET task data (U.S. Department of Labor) · BLS 2024–2034
Source: O*NET task data (U.S. Department of Labor); AI-exposure scores are PlainWorkforce's analysis. As of BLS 2024–2034.
Computer network architects vs. its occupational neighbors
AI exposure (horizontal) vs projected 2024–2034 growth (vertical) for occupations in the same SOC group. Computer network architects is marked in rose; the top-left corner is the most future-proof.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 (growth) and O*NET (AI-exposure analysis by PlainWorkforce).
Employment Projections
Where This Score Comes From
Computer network architects's High automation-risk tier is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each documented task the occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score in the 40–70% range indicates meaningful automation pressure on specific task categories, but the role as a whole still requires human judgment for coordination, exception handling, or client interaction.
The employment, wage, and education figures above come from a second, separate federal source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034, matched to the O*NET task data by Standard Occupational Classification (SOC 15-1241) code, with the wage figure cross-validated against the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) May 2024 survey. BLS figures are presented exactly as published, with no adjustment on our part; the SOC-code match is what lets Computer network architects be compared directly against every other tracked occupation on the same basis, not just roles that happen to share a job title.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Computer network architects. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Develop disaster recovery plans.
- 2. Develop or recommend network security measures, such as firewalls, network security audits, or automated security probes.
- 3. Consult with users, administrators, and engineers to identify business and technical requirements for proposed system modifications or technology purchases.
- 4. Implement system renovation projects in collaboration with technical staff, engineering consultants, installers, and vendors.
- 5. Develop and implement solutions for network problems.
- 6. Keep abreast of changes in industry practices and emerging telecommunications technology by reviewing current literature, talking with colleagues, participating in educational programs, attending meetings or workshops, or participating in professional organizations or conferences.
- 7. Maintain networks by performing activities such as file addition, deletion, or backup.
- 8. Coordinate network operations, maintenance, repairs, or upgrades.
- 9. Review and evaluate requests from engineers, managers, and technicians for system modifications.
- 10. Assess existing facilities' needs for new or modified telecommunications systems.
Key Skills Required
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Active Learning
- Writing
- Speaking
- Monitoring
- Social Perceptiveness
- Complex Problem Solving
- Operations Monitoring
Knowledge Areas
- Telecommunications
- Computers and Electronics
- Engineering and Technology
- English Language
- Mathematics
- Customer and Personal Service
- Administration and Management
- Design
- Sales and Marketing
- Public Safety and Security
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Computer network architects?
Computer network architects has an AI exposure score of 49%, indicating a high level of automation risk. Some tasks in this role can be augmented or partially automated by AI, but core responsibilities require human judgment.
What is the job outlook for Computer network architects?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Computer network architects is projected to grow by 11.9% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 179,200 workers.
What skills are needed for Computer network architects?
Key skills for Computer network architects include Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Critical Thinking, and others. Typical entry-level education is Bachelor's degree.
How much do Computer network architects earn?
The median annual wage for Computer network architects is $130,390, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Computer network architects?
The typical entry-level education for Computer network architects is Bachelor's degree. Employers generally expect 5 years or more of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves None. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Computer network architects?
Computer network architects roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
High automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. A moderate share of tasks may be augmented by AI tools.
Nationwide occupations with similar workforce profiles
Two data-derived peer sets for Computer network architects: AI-exposure neighbors and BLS 2034 growth neighbors (distinct comparison neighborhoods, cross-occupation).
Similar AI exposure score
Nearest O*NET task-automability scores nationwide (49% here).
- Cartographers and photogrammetrists · AI exposure 49%
- Computer numerically controlled tool programmers · AI exposure 49%
- Entertainment and recreation managers, except gambling · AI exposure 49%
- Environmental science and protection technicians, including health · AI exposure 49%
Similar projected growth (2024–2034)
Nearest BLS employment change rates nationwide (+11.9% here).
- Exercise trainers and group fitness instructors · growth +11.9%
- Animal caretakers · growth +12.1%
- Respiratory therapists · growth +12.1%
- Recreational vehicle service technicians · growth +11.5%
Peers are nearest-neighbor matches on published BLS + O*NET metrics among occupations with ≥10,000 workers in 2024; corpus ranks above sort the full tracked set.
Related Occupations
Showing 6 of 10 occupations with a comparable automation-risk profile.
What to do with this
Use Computer network architects' numbers above to compare, not just read in isolation.
- Compare Computer network architects side by side against another occupation on wage, growth, and AI exposure. Workforce comparison tool
- Understand how the AI exposure score above is actually calculated before treating it as a verdict. Reading AI exposure scores
- See the full ranked list of occupations with the lowest automation exposure nationwide. Safest occupations from AI
AI exposure scores estimate task automatability from O*NET data; they are not a certainty of job loss, and BLS growth projections are estimates, not guarantees.
Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).