Network Architect salary

At a glance

• Mostly Level II (mid-level). 43% of Network Architect filings are Level II, compared with 42% across all H-1B filings.
• Top filer: Amazon. 280 filings (7% of the total), median $161,700.
• Pay depends on the city. Among the 10 metro areas with the most filings, the median ranges from $120,169 in Denver, CO to $184,330 in San Francisco, CA.
• Median up 40% since FY2020. From $104,701 in FY2020 to $146,700 in FY2026 (Q1–Q3). Nominal, not adjusted for inflation.

Network Architect H-1B salary overview

Employers filed 3,771 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Network Architect jobs in FY2025–FY2026 (occupation code 15-1241, Computer Network Architects). The median base salary is $140,816, 15% above the median for all H-1B filings ($122,699), and half of the filings fall between $117,187 and $166,500. The most common wage level is Level II (mid-level), at 43% of filings. Dallas, TX has the most filings (512), and Amazon is the employer that files the most (280).

Top employers for Network Architect

Amazon280 filings · 7%$161,700 Meta117 filings · 3%$186,200 Google111 filings · 3%$153,000 Cisco Systems103 filings · 3%$158,500 Charter Communications92 filings · 2%$114,691 Microsoft92 filings · 2%$179,691 Nokia of America65 filings · 2%$147,429 AT&T60 filings · 2%$184,132 Dish Wireless55 filings · 1%$137,925 Oracle54 filings · 1%$137,083

Employers with the most Network Architect filings. Bar: share of all Network Architect filings. Figure: median base salary.

Pay by level

Network Architect pay by city

Median base salary in each metro area. Rent: HUD Fair Market Rent, FY2027.

What a Network Architect does

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.

Typical 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.

Preparation

Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed. Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

O*NET occupation: Computer Network Architects (15-1241.00). This section includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.

H-1B pay vs. all U.S. workers

Across all U.S. workers in this occupation (Computer Network Architects), the median annual wage was $134,050 in May 2025, with 179,740 people employed. The median H-1B base salary in FY2025–FY2026 is $140,816, 5% higher.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). BLS wages cover all wage and salary workers and include some incentive pay; H-1B figures are the base salary offered on certified LCAs. The two sources cover different periods. BLS reports wages of $239,200 or more as a single top value.

Salary details

Salary range