Computer Network Architects Salary
Computer Network Architects in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH make a median of $160,650 a year, or about $77.24 an hour. The range runs from $100K at the entry level to $212K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.27), so that salary is closer to $148,379 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,941/month, about 30.2% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $161K get you in Boston-Cambridge-Newton?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Boston-Cambridge-Newton’s Regional Price Parity (108.27). 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
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What this looks like in Boston-Cambridge-Newton
Boston-Cambridge-Newton sits well above the national pay line for computer network architects, local pay runs about 20% higher than the U.S. median of $134K. Rent runs $2,941/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 31.4% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost-of-living overall is 8% above the national average (BEA RPP 108.27), so groceries and services cost more too. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compared to nearby metros
Median pay for computer network architects in metros near Boston-Cambridge-Newton, adjusted for local cost of living.
| Metro | Median pay | COL-adjusted |
|---|---|---|
| Worcester | $130K | $127K |
| Springfield | $145K | $151K |
| Barnstable Town | $119K | $121K |
| Amherst Town-Northampton | $119K | $119K |
COL-adjusted = median salary ÷ (BEA Regional Price Parity ÷ 100). Expresses purchasing power in national-average dollars.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
Entry-level computer network architects (10th percentile) start around $100K. Mid-career wages sit at $161K. Top earners bring in $212K or more, a $112K 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
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Frequently asked questions
Can a computer network architect afford a 2BR apartment alone in Boston-Cambridge-Newton?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $161K, rent takes 31.4% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,941/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $2,800/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for computer network architects in Boston-Cambridge-Newton?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new computer network architects typically earn — is $100K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $6,003/month. At HUD’s $2,941/month FMR, rent would take 49% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is computer network architect a high-paying job in Boston-Cambridge-Newton?
Local pay is 20% above the national median — $161K here vs. $134K nationally. Keep in mind cost of living here is 8% above the national average, which offsets some of that premium.
How does Boston-Cambridge-Newton compare to the national average for computer network architects?
Boston-Cambridge-Newton pays $161K median vs. the U.S. average of $134K — that’s +20%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 108.27), the purchasing-power equivalent is $148K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do computer network architects make in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
The median is $160,650 a year, that works out to about $77 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $100,050, and experienced computer network architects can clear $211,820. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $161K enough to live in Boston-Cambridge-Newton?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $9,377/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,941/month, which eats 31.4% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a computer network architects salary go in Boston-Cambridge-Newton?
Boston-Cambridge-Newton has a Regional Price Parity of 108.27 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median computer network architects salary is worth about $148,379 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.