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Alamo Colleges DistrictCareer Explorer

Computer Network Architects

Part of Information Technology, in the Network Systems pathway.

Bright outlookJob zone 4: considerable preparationO*NET 15-1241.00

What the work is

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.

On a typical day

  • Adjust network sizes to meet volume or capacity demands.
  • Communicate with customers, sales staff, or marketing staff to determine customer needs.
  • Communicate with system users to ensure accounts are set up properly or to diagnose and solve operational problems.
  • Coordinate installation of new equipment.
  • Coordinate network operations, maintenance, repairs, or upgrades.
  • Coordinate network or design activities with designers of associated networks.

What it pays

$128,260
Median pay per year, San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX metro
New workers start near $80,030
Experienced workers reach $169,670
  1. $80k10th
  2. $104k25th
  3. $128kMedian
  4. $158k75th
  5. $170k90th
Wage percentiles: 10th $80,030, 25th $104,010, Median $128,260, 75th $157,630, 90th $169,670

About 720 people do this job in the San Antonio area.

Job outlook

Alamo region (Bexar and 12 surrounding counties), Texas Workforce Commission projection 2024 to 2034. U.S. figures from the BLS for comparison.

+30.3%

employment change in the Alamo region, 912 to 1,188 jobs · U.S. +12%

78

openings a year in the Alamo region, from growth and people leaving · U.S. 11,200

912

employed in the Alamo region in 2024 · U.S. 179,200

Typical entry education: Bachelor's degree · Experience: 5 years or more

Skills this career uses

The skills O*NET rates most important for the job, with how much of each the work needs on a 1 to 7 scale.

  1. Critical Thinking4.1
  2. Reading Comprehension4.1
  3. Complex Problem Solving4.1
  4. Systems Evaluation3.9
  5. Programming3.6
  6. Judgment and Decision Making4.0
  7. Active Listening3.9
  8. Systems Analysis3.9

Education people in this job have

Share of workers by highest education, from O*NET surveys. It shows what others did, not what you must do.

  1. High school or less5%
  2. Certificate15%
  3. Associate degree15%
  4. Bachelor's degree60%
  5. Master's degree5%

Job zone 4, considerable preparation: Usually a bachelor's degree, sometimes a strong associate plus experience.

Alamo programs that lead here

  • Northeast Lakeview
  • Northwest Vista
  • San Antonio
  • Alamo Institutes
  1. Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) Level 1 Certificate

    Certificate · Online option · Science & Technology

  2. Cloud Computing, A.A.S.

    Degree · Science & Technology

  3. CompTIA Linux+ Certification Preparation (OSA)

    Certificate · Online option · Science & Technology

  4. Network Administration Technology, A.A.S.

    Degree · Online option · Science & Technology

  5. Cloud Computing - Bachelor of Applied Technology

    Degree · Online option · Science & Technology

  6. Cybersecurity and Information Assurance

    Degree · Certificate · Online option · Science & Technology

  7. Network Administrator

    Degree · Certificate · Online option · Science & Technology

  8. Network and Cloud Architecture

    Degree · Certificate · Online option · Science & Technology

  9. Computer Information Systems

    Degree · Certificate · Online option · Science & Technology

  10. Information Assurance and Cybersecurity

    Degree · Certificate · Online option · Science & Technology

  11. Cisco Certified Networking Associate

    Workforce course · Online option · Science & Technology

  12. Fundamentals of Networking Technologies

    Workforce course · Online option · Science & Technology

Showing 12 of 13 programs.

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