Network architect: a senior role, and the certifications that match it
Computer network architects design the networks, and increasingly the cloud environments, that administrators then run. BLS put their median pay at $134,050 in May 2025, the highest of the five occupations on this site, and projects 7.7% job growth from 2025 to 2035 with about 9,600 openings a year. BLS lists a bachelor's degree and five years or more of related experience as typical, so this is a destination, not an entry job. The matching certifications are professional level: CCNP Enterprise for Cisco networks, AWS Solutions Architect Professional or AZ-305 for cloud, from $165 on the cheapest route for one exam (November 2026); Microsoft's Expert certification also needs AZ-104.
Pay and outlook for architects
| Jobs in 2025 | 181,800 |
|---|---|
| Projected jobs in 2035 | 195,800 |
| Projected change, 2025–35 | +7.7% |
| Openings per year, 2025–35 average | 9,600 |
| Median annual pay, May 2025 | $134,050 |
| Middle half of pay (25th to 75th percentile) | $104,620 to $168,200 |
| Lowest and highest 10 percent earn less than / more than | $79,900 / $202,680 |
| Typical education to enter (BLS) | Bachelor's degree |
| Work experience in a related job (BLS) | 5 years or more |
Among the jobs reported in this occupation, O*NET lists solutions architect, network consultant, WAN engineer and wireless network engineer alongside network architect, so some cloud and solutions architects are classified here; BLS has no separate cloud architect occupation, so these figures are only a rough guide for cloud roles. The middle half of architects earned $104,620 to $168,200; BLS does not split pay by platform or certification.
What architects do, per O*NET
O*NET's list for the occupation is long, 33 core tasks, because the job spans design and operations. The design side covers network security measures, disaster recovery plans, capacity planning and documentation. The operations side covers coordinating upgrades, installing new equipment and solving the problems administrators escalate. In our view that mix suits people coming from administration or network engineering.
Professional certifications by platform
| Platform | Professional certification | Lowest first attempt | Live classes | Groundwork (required?) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cisco enterprise networks | CCNP Enterprise | $529 | $1,299 to $4,700 | CCNA (not required) |
| AWS | Solutions Architect Professional | $300 | $2,325 to $3,085 | Solutions Architect Associate (not required) |
| Microsoft Azure | AZ-305 | $165 | $2,560 to $2,660 | AZ-104 (required for the Expert certification) |
| Google Cloud | Professional Cloud Architect | $200 | $2,900 to $2,985 | Associate Cloud Engineer (not required) |
The CCNP figures need care: the cheapest route covers the core exam with self-study, and a full CCNP Enterprise also needs a concentration exam. AWS changes its professional exam to SAP-C03 from November 17, 2026; the guide covers which version to study.
The usual route in
BLS's five-year experience entry points back to systems and network administration, a larger occupation that BLS projects to shrink. In our view, moving up into architecture is one of the clearer ways to follow the projection, and the associate credentials in the table are the groundwork we recommend.
Questions
- Are cloud architects counted as network architects?
- Some are. O*NET lists solutions architect among the reported job titles for computer network architects, but BLS has no separate cloud architect occupation, so treat these figures as a rough guide for cloud roles.
- Which certification is best for an architect?
- The professional one for your platform: CCNP Enterprise, AWS Solutions Architect Professional, AZ-305 or Google Professional Cloud Architect.
Next step
Tell us your platform and years of experience, and we will reply with the professional certification and preparation route that fit.
Ask which architect certification fits
Sources
- BLS Employment Projections: Table 1.2, 2025–35 (computer network architects, 15-1241), checked November 5, 2026
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 national estimates, checked November 5, 2026
- O*NET OnLine: 15-1241.00 Computer Network Architects (tasks, reported job titles), checked November 5, 2026
Prices are published list prices we recorded on the dates shown, not quotes. How we research.
This page includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. We paraphrased and selected the content; USDOL/ETA has not approved or endorsed it.