Computer Network Architects
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.
179,740 people do this job in the US. $134,050 a year.
of the working time. Estimate.
- 83%
- 4%
- 12%
Measured, from Anthropic's usage data (2025). Counts help on part of a task.
On the chosen pace and reliability. Estimate.
Share of the working time within reach, now to 2030
What each choice means: , , , , . Every pace starts from .
At this date and pace, models finish tasks up to 4.4 h long four times in five.
How far this has come
With GPT-4, measured in March 2023, 0% of this job's working time was within reach at . With Claude 3.7 Sonnet, measured in February 2025, 0%. With Claude Mythos Preview (early), measured in April 2026, 9%. Today's estimate: 14%.
A backcast: today's task data with the best model METR had measured by each date. It shows how fast the models have moved, not what anyone forecast at the time.
The tasks
Sorted by . 33 tasks from .
| Task | Kind | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Develop or recommend network security measures, such as firewalls, network security audits, or automated security probes.Done more than yearly by most who do it. AI observed on this task. | 15% | 1.6 work days3.3 h to 4.2 work days | 2%Half by Feb 2028 | |
| Design, build, or operate equipment configuration prototypes, including network hardware, software, servers, or server operation systems.Done more than monthly by most who do it. | 10% | 2.1 work days3.3 h to 1 work week | Stays with people | |
| Develop conceptual, logical, or physical network designs.Done more than monthly by most who do it. | 8% | 2.1 work days6.7 h to 1.7 work weeks | 1%Half by Apr 2028 | |
| Develop and implement solutions for network problems.Done more than weekly by most who do it. AI observed on this task. | 7% | 5 h1.7 h to 2.1 work days | 15%Half by Jun 2027 | |
| Determine specific network hardware or software requirements, such as platforms, interfaces, bandwidths, or routine schemas.Done more than yearly by most who do it. | 6% | 6.7 h1.7 h to 2.5 work days | 8%Half by Sep 2027 | |
| Supervise engineers or other staff in the design or implementation of network solutions.Done more than monthly by most who do it. | 4% | 3.3 h50 min to 1.7 work days | Stays with people | |
| Coordinate installation of new equipment.Done more than yearly by most who do it. | 4% | 4.2 h1.7 h to 1.3 work days | 27%Half by Jan 2027 | |
| 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.Done daily by most who do it. | 4% | 3.3 h50 min to 1.7 work days | 21%Half by May 2027 | |
| Prepare detailed network specifications, including diagrams, charts, equipment configurations, or recommended technologies.Done more than yearly by most who do it. AI observed on this task. | 4% | 1.3 work days3.3 h to 4.2 work days | 4%Half by Dec 2027 | |
| Use network computer-aided design (CAD) software packages to optimize network designs.Done more than yearly by most who do it. | 3% | 6.7 h1.7 h to 2.5 work days | 8%Half by Sep 2027 | |
| Develop and write procedures for installation, use, or troubleshooting of communications hardware or software.Done more than monthly by most who do it. | 3% | 6.7 h1.7 h to 2.1 work days | 9%Half by Aug 2027 | |
| Design, organize, and deliver product awareness, skills transfer, or product education sessions for staff or suppliers.Done more than yearly by most who do it. | 3% | 6.7 h1.7 h to 2.1 work days | 9%Half by Aug 2027 |
Within reach, per task: the share of the task's time whose instances are short enough for a model to finish at the chosen date, pace and reliability. Half by: the date half of that time comes within reach.
Jobs that share skills with this one
From O*NET's related occupations. Within reach now and by the end of 2028, long-run pace, four in five.
- Computer Network Support Specialists52% now, 77% by 2028
- Network and Computer Systems Administrators21% now, 79% by 2028
- Computer Systems Engineers/Architects16% now, 64% by 2028
- Telecommunications Engineering Specialists17% now, 67% by 2028
- Computer Systems Analysts10% now, 72% by 2028
- Software Developers11% now, 63% by 2028
Where this job works
The industry groups that employ the most of it (BLS, May 2025).
Where the most of these jobs are
The metro areas with the most people in it (BLS, May 2025).