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Computer Network Architects

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	Median Wage (USD, 2023)	Projected Job Openings (2022-2032)	Projected Growth (2022-2032)
National Statistics	$129,840	12,300	13.40%
State Statistics	-	-	-
City Statistics	-	-	-

Statistics

National

State

City

State

City

$129,840

Median Wage (USD, 2023)

12,300

Projected Job Openings (2022-2032)

13.40%

Projected Growth (2022-2032)

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.

Experience Requirements Overview

Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Education, Training and Experience

Required Level of Education: Bachelor's Degree

Related Work Experience: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years

On-Site or In-Plant Training: Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months

On-the-Job Training: Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months

Detailed Work Activities

Maintain computer networks to enhance performance and user access.
Collaborate with others to determine design specifications or details.
Provide technical support for computer network issues.
Coordinate software or hardware installation.
Maintain computer networks to enhance performance and user access.
Coordinate project activities with other personnel or departments.
Design integrated computer systems.
Configure computer networks.
Teach others to use computer equipment or hardware.
Develop specifications for computer network operation.
Resolve computer network problems.
Develop testing routines or procedures.
Develop models of information or communications systems.
Maintain contingency plans for disaster recovery.
Document network-related activities or tasks.
Develop information communication procedures.
Manage documentation to ensure organization or accuracy.
Develop computer or information security policies or procedures.
Recommend changes to improve computer or information systems.
Manage budgets for appropriate resource allocation.
Monitor the performance of computer networks.
Analyze website or related online data to track trends or usage.
Estimate time or monetary resources needed to complete projects.
Evaluate project designs to determine adequacy or feasibility.
Communicate project information to others.
Maintain computer networks to enhance performance and user access.
Maintain computer hardware.
Monitor the performance of computer networks.
Analyze data to identify or resolve operational problems.
Modify software programs to improve performance.
Install computer software.
Install computer hardware.
Communicate project information to others.
Develop specifications for computer network operation.
Manage financial activities of the organization.
Manage budgets for appropriate resource allocation.
Conduct research to gain information about products or processes.
Test computer hardware performance.
Supervise information technology personnel.
Develop models of information or communications systems.
Update knowledge about emerging industry or technology trends.
Conduct research to gain information about products or processes.
Collaborate with others to resolve information technology issues.

Work Values

Achievement

Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

Working Conditions

Recognition

Relationships

Support

Independence

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.
Monitor and analyze network performance and reports on data input or output to detect problems, identify inefficient use of computer resources, or perform capacity planning.
Develop network-related documentation.
Develop and write procedures for installation, use, or troubleshooting of communications hardware or software.
Participate in network technology upgrade or expansion projects, including installation of hardware and software and integration testing.
Design, build, or operate equipment configuration prototypes, including network hardware, software, servers, or server operation systems.
Adjust network sizes to meet volume or capacity demands.
Communicate with system users to ensure accounts are set up properly or to diagnose and solve operational problems.
Develop conceptual, logical, or physical network designs.
Evaluate network designs to determine whether customer requirements are met efficiently and effectively.
Communicate with vendors to gather information about products, alert them to future needs, resolve problems, or address system maintenance issues.
Develop plans or budgets for network equipment replacement.
Communicate with customers, sales staff, or marketing staff to determine customer needs.
Determine specific network hardware or software requirements, such as platforms, interfaces, bandwidths, or routine schemas.
Prepare detailed network specifications, including diagrams, charts, equipment configurations, or recommended technologies.
Supervise engineers or other staff in the design or implementation of network solutions.
Research and test new or modified hardware or software products to determine performance and interoperability.
Estimate time and materials needed to complete projects.
Design, organize, and deliver product awareness, skills transfer, or product education sessions for staff or suppliers.
Explain design specifications to integration or test engineers.
Develop procedures to track, project, or report network availability, reliability, capacity, or utilization.
Coordinate network or design activities with designers of associated networks.
Prepare or monitor project schedules, budgets, or cost control systems.
Prepare design presentations and proposals for staff or customers.
Use network computer-aided design (CAD) software packages to optimize network designs.
Visit vendors, attend conferences or training sessions, or study technical journals to keep up with changes in technology.
Develop or maintain project reporting systems.
Maintain or coordinate the maintenance of network peripherals, such as printers.

Work Styles

Achievement/Effort

Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.

Persistence

Initiative

Leadership

Cooperation

Concern for Others

Social Orientation

Self-Control

Stress Tolerance

Adaptability/Flexibility

Dependability

Attention to Detail

Integrity

Independence

Innovation

Analytical Thinking

Data Source: This page includes information from the O*NET 28.0 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. This page includes Employment Projections program, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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