CareerFacts

All careers › Computer Network Architects

Solutions architect: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 29, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$134,050median pay per year, or $64.45 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $79,900lowest 10% earn less
  2. $104,62025th percentile
  3. $134,050median
  4. $168,20075th percentile
  5. $202,680top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[4]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[5]

Computer network architects, the BLS category that lists solutions architect as a sample job title, earned a median of $134,050 a year in May 2025[1][2]. Employment is projected to grow 7.7% from 2025 to 2035[3].

Job growth, 2025–35
+7.7%[3]
Openings per year
9,600[6]
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree[7]

How much do solutions architects make?

The figures here are for the BLS category Computer Network Architects. O*NET lists Solutions Architect among the job titles workers in this category report[2].

The median wage was $134,050 a year, or $64.45 an hour[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less[1]. The average (mean) was $139,580 a year, or $67.11 an hour[8]. The median annual wage for all occupations was $50,980[5].

The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $79,900 a year, and the lowest-paid 25% earned less than $104,620[4]. The highest-paid 25% earned more than $168,200, and the top 10% earned more than $202,680[4]. Hourly, those boundaries were $38.42, $50.30, $80.86 and $97.44[9]. A percentile is a boundary, and BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[10].

Measure Annual wage Hourly wage
10th percentile[4][9] $79,900 $38.42
25th percentile[4][9] $104,620 $50.30
Median[1] $134,050 $64.45
75th percentile[4][9] $168,200 $80.86
90th percentile[4][9] $202,680 $97.44

About 179,740 people worked as computer network architects in wage and salary jobs[11]. These figures leave out the self-employed and business owners, as well as nonproduction bonuses and the cost of benefits such as health insurance[12]. In the Employment Projections data, which includes the self-employed, 0.4% of workers were self-employed in 2025[13].

Pay by state and city

Washington had the highest median annual wage at $168,070, followed by New Jersey at $162,350 and Maryland at $159,460[14]. Mississippi had the lowest published median at $90,990[14].

Colorado had the most jobs (16,380), followed by California (14,870), Texas (13,650), New York (9,800) and Virginia (9,380)[15].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs[16], San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara had the highest median at $186,110. Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue ($172,650) and San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont ($166,760) came next[16]. Denver-Aurora-Centennial had the most jobs, at 10,260, with a median of $139,230[17].

Show median pay in 50 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
Washington[14]$168,0704,730
New Jersey$162,3505,660
Maryland$159,4605,860
California$158,87014,870
Massachusetts$155,0606,270
South Dakota$153,390420
Delaware$148,390760
Connecticut$143,8901,570
Virginia$141,3409,380
New York$140,3909,800
Colorado$139,23016,380
Nevada$138,0601,010
District of Columbia$137,6701,490
Oregon$135,6601,540
South Carolina$134,9901,950
Georgia$133,8907,690
Texas$133,31013,650
Minnesota$133,2702,040
Florida$132,8009,370
Illinois$132,7907,810
Pennsylvania$131,8406,080
Wisconsin$131,7202,170
Rhode Island$131,320460
Ohio$131,0705,150
Arizona$130,8903,990
Alabama$130,8104,200
North Carolina$127,3208,350
New Hampshire$125,420560
Indiana$124,1902,030
Tennessee$123,8604,330
West Virginia$122,520360
Utah$121,0001,330
Alaska$119,720120
Nebraska$116,4201,350
Michigan$112,0403,210
Vermont$110,930130
Arkansas$110,400910
Oklahoma$109,4501,320
New Mexico$109,080420
North Dakota$108,990230
Maine$108,570570
Hawaii$108,000320
Idaho$107,620720
Louisiana$106,620470
Montana$104,300250
Kentucky$103,7401,710
Missouri$103,1303,360
Iowa$103,0501,170
Kansas$100,6101,770
Wyoming$100,52050
Mississippi$90,990n/a

How to become a solutions architect

Requirements are not the same everywhere. Some employers consider candidates without a bachelor's degree, some have no preference, and some prefer a master's degree[21].

In an O*NET survey of 20 workers, 55% said a bachelor's degree was required, 15% said a post-secondary certificate, 15% said an associate's degree and 5% said a master's degree[22].

Experienced architects may move into management, such as computer and information systems manager[23]. The OOH names analytical, detail-oriented, interpersonal, leadership, organizational and problem-solving skills as important qualities[24][25][26][27][28][29].

What solutions architects do

O*NET describes the job as designing and building computer and data networks, including local and wide area networks. It also covers modeling and planning for capacity needs. Some architects design network security and recommend hardware and software[30]. Common tasks include:

O*NET also lists titles such as Network Analyst, Networking Systems Engineer and Systems Engineer[2].

Where they work

Computer systems design and related services employed 25% of computer network architects in 2025, the largest share of any employer type listed[32]. Architects spend most of their time in offices and sometimes work in server rooms with the network hardware[33].

Most work full time. Some put in over 40 hours in a week[34].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment of computer network architects to grow 7.7% from 2025 to 2035, from about 181,800 jobs to 195,800[3]. That is a gain of about 14,100 jobs[3]. For all occupations, projected growth is 3.5%[35].

About 9,600 openings a year are projected[6]. Openings include jobs that come up when people leave the occupation, not only new positions[6]. Each year, 1.5% of workers leave the labor force and 2.8% move to a different occupation[36].

Is it a good fit?

Pay is well above the all-occupations median, at $134,050 compared with $50,980[1][5]. Employment is projected to grow faster than average[3][35]. The tradeoff is the path in. A bachelor's degree is typical, and so is 5 years or more of related experience, so related work experience usually comes first[7]. Education requirements vary by employer, and certifications may matter[21][20]. The work mixes design, security and troubleshooting, and some architects lead teams[31][27].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[37].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a solutions architect make a year?
The median annual wage for computer network architects, a BLS category that includes the sample title solutions architect, was $134,050 in May 2025[1][2]. The 10th percentile was $79,900 and the 90th percentile was $202,680[4].
What degree do you need to be a solutions architect?
BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical entry education for computer network architects[7]. Some employers consider candidates without one, and some prefer a master's degree[21].
How many years of experience do you need?
BLS lists 5 years or more of work experience in a related occupation as typical[7].
Is the job in demand?
Employment is projected to grow 7.7% from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations[3][35]. About 9,600 openings a year are projected[6].
What is the highest paying state?
Washington had the highest median annual wage at $168,070, followed by New Jersey at $162,350[14].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Computer Network Architects in the US was $134,050 per year and $64.45 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. O*NET 15-1241.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Computer Network Technologist, Network Analyst, Network Consultant, Network Systems Consultant, Networking Systems Engineer, Solutions Architect, System Programmer, Systems Engineer. O*NET OnLine
  3. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Computer Network Architects is projected to grow 7.7% from 2025 to 2035, from about 181,800 to 195,800 jobs (a change of +14,100). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Computer Network Architects: 10th percentile $79,900, 25th percentile $104,620, 75th percentile $168,200, 90th percentile $202,680. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  6. BLS Employment Projections: about 9,600 openings for Computer Network Architects are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Computer Network Architects: education needed for entry: Bachelor's degree; work experience in a related occupation: 5 years or more; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Computer Network Architects was $139,580 per year and $67.11 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Computer Network Architects: 10th percentile $38.42, 25th percentile $50.30, 75th percentile $80.86, 90th percentile $97.44. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 179,740 people were employed as Computer Network Architects in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS Employment Projections: 0.4% of Computer Network Architects were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  14. Median annual wage for Computer Network Architects in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Computer Network Architects jobs: Colorado 16,380; California 14,870; Texas 13,650; New York 9,800; Virginia 9,380. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Computer Network Architects (areas with at least 100 jobs): San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $186,110; Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $172,650; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $166,760; Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY $165,570; New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $163,010; Bloomington, IL $161,780; Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC $161,170; Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $160,650. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  17. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Computer Network Architects jobs: Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO 10,260 (median $139,230); New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 10,230 (median $163,010); Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV 9,370 (median $159,820); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 5,900 (median $137,900); Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA 5,880 (median $133,890); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 5,400 (median $143,800). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Work Experience in a Related Occupation. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. O*NET 15-1241.00 survey of workers (20 respondents), education level they say is required: Bachelor's Degree 55%, Post-Secondary Certificate 15%, Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree 15%, Less than a High School Diploma 5%, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate 5%, Master's Degree 5% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  23. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Advancement. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  25. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. O*NET description of Computer Network Architects. O*NET OnLine
  31. O*NET task list for Computer Network Architects. O*NET OnLine
  32. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of computer network architects in 2025: Computer systems design and related services 25%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  33. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  34. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  35. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  36. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Computer Network Architects: 1.5% of workers leave the labor force each year and 2.8% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  37. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers.

This page 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. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.