Computer Network Architects Salary
Computer Network Architects in Birmingham, AL make a median of $131,140 a year, or about $63.05 an hour. The range runs from $75K at the entry level to $169K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 91.64), which stretches that salary to about $143,103 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,266/month, or 15.9% of estimated take-home pay.
So what does $131K get you in Birmingham?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Birmingham’s Regional Price Parity (91.64). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About computer network architects
Sponsored links, AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
What this looks like in Birmingham
Computer network architects pay in Birmingham tracks closely to the national median, $131K locally vs. $134K nationwide, a 2% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,266/month, 16.2% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 91.64 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 8% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compared to nearby metros
Median pay for computer network architects in metros near Birmingham, adjusted for local cost of living.
| Metro | Median pay | COL-adjusted |
|---|---|---|
| Huntsville | $132K | $142K |
| Montgomery | $124K | $138K |
| Mobile | $126K | $143K |
| Tuscaloosa | $125K | $142K |
COL-adjusted = median salary ÷ (BEA Regional Price Parity ÷ 100). Expresses purchasing power in national-average dollars.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Birmingham, AL
Entry-level computer network architects (10th percentile) start around $75K. Mid-career wages sit at $131K. Top earners bring in $169K or more, a $94K spread from bottom to top.
Computer Network Architects pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
View Computer Network Architects salary in all states
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $168K | +25% | 4,730 |
| New Jersey | $162K | +21% | 5,660 |
| Maryland | $159K | +19% | 5,860 |
| California | $159K | +19% | 14,870 |
| Massachusetts | $155K | +16% | 6,270 |
| South Dakota | $153K | +14% | 420 |
| Delaware | $148K | +11% | 760 |
| Connecticut | $144K | +7% | 1,570 |
| Virginia | $141K | +5% | 9,380 |
| New York | $140K | +5% | 9,800 |
| Colorado | $139K | +4% | 16,380 |
| Nevada | $138K | +3% | 1,010 |
| District of Columbia | $138K | +3% | 1,490 |
| Oregon | $136K | +1% | 1,540 |
| South Carolina | $135K | +1% | 1,950 |
| Georgia | $134K | -0% | 7,690 |
| Texas | $133K | -1% | 13,650 |
| Minnesota | $133K | -1% | 2,040 |
| Florida | $133K | -1% | 9,370 |
| Illinois | $133K | -1% | 7,810 |
| Pennsylvania | $132K | -2% | 6,080 |
| Wisconsin | $132K | -2% | 2,170 |
| Rhode Island | $131K | -2% | 460 |
| Ohio | $131K | -2% | 5,150 |
| Arizona | $131K | -2% | 3,990 |
| Alabama | $131K | -2% | 4,200 |
| North Carolina | $127K | -5% | 8,350 |
| New Hampshire | $125K | -6% | 560 |
| Indiana | $124K | -7% | 2,030 |
| Tennessee | $124K | -8% | 4,330 |
| West Virginia | $123K | -9% | 360 |
| Utah | $121K | -10% | 1,330 |
| Alaska | $120K | -11% | 120 |
| Nebraska | $116K | -13% | 1,350 |
| Michigan | $112K | -16% | 3,210 |
| Vermont | $111K | -17% | 130 |
| Arkansas | $110K | -18% | 910 |
| Oklahoma | $109K | -18% | 1,320 |
| New Mexico | $109K | -19% | 420 |
| North Dakota | $109K | -19% | 230 |
| Maine | $109K | -19% | 570 |
| Hawaii | $108K | -19% | 320 |
| Idaho | $108K | -20% | 720 |
| Louisiana | $107K | -20% | 470 |
| Montana | $104K | -22% | 250 |
| Kentucky | $104K | -23% | 1,710 |
| Missouri | $103K | -23% | 3,360 |
| Iowa | $103K | -23% | 1,170 |
| Kansas | $101K | -25% | 1,770 |
| Wyoming | $101K | -25% | 50 |
| Mississippi | $91K | -32% | N/A |
Showing 1–10 of 51 (all 50 states + DC)
Track computer network architects salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Birmingham numbers change.
Related careers in Technology
Frequently asked questions
Can a computer network architect afford a 2BR apartment alone in Birmingham?
Yes — at the median salary of $131K, rent takes 16.2% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,266/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for computer network architects in Birmingham?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new computer network architects typically earn — is $75K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,489/month. At HUD’s $1,266/month FMR, rent would take 28% of that take-home — manageable on an entry-level income.
Is computer network architect a high-paying job in Birmingham?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $131K locally vs. $134K nationally, a 2% difference.
How does Birmingham compare to the national average for computer network architects?
Birmingham pays $131K median vs. the U.S. average of $134K — that’s -2%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 91.64), the purchasing-power equivalent is $143K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do computer network architects make in Birmingham, AL?
The median is $131,140 a year, that works out to about $63 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $74,810, and experienced computer network architects can clear $168,740. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $131K enough to live in Birmingham?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,833/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,266/month, which eats 16.2% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a computer network architects salary go in Birmingham?
Birmingham has a Regional Price Parity of 91.64 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median computer network architects salary is worth about $143,103 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do computer network architects get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.