Computer Network Architects Salary
Computer Network Architects in Illinois make a median of $132,790 a year, or about $63.84 an hour. The range runs from $82K at the entry level to $201K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 93.85), which stretches that salary to about $141,492 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,407/month, or 17.5% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Illinois. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $133K get you in Illinois?
About computer network architects
Sponsored links, AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
What this looks like in Illinois
Computer network architects pay in Illinois tracks closely to the national median, $133K locally vs. $134K nationwide, a 1% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,407/month, 17.8% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 93.85 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 6% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Illinois
Entry-level computer network architects (10th percentile) start around $82K. Mid-career wages sit at $133K. Top earners bring in $201K or more, a $120K spread from bottom to top.
Computer Network Architects salary by metro in Illinois
6 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington | $162K | +22% | 240 |
| Peoria | $145K | +9% | 260 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin | $144K | +8% | 5,400 |
| Springfield | $122K | -8% | 120 |
| Champaign-Urbana | $112K | -16% | 150 |
| Rockford | $98K | -27% | 90 |
Compare to other states
Track computer network architects salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Illinois numbers change.
Related careers in Technology
Frequently asked questions
Can a computer network architect afford a 2BR apartment alone in Illinois?
Yes — at the median salary of $133K, rent takes 17.8% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,407/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for computer network architects in Illinois?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new computer network architects typically earn — is $82K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,898/month. At HUD’s $1,407/month FMR, rent would take 29% of that take-home — manageable on an entry-level income.
Is computer network architect a high-paying job in Illinois?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $133K locally vs. $134K nationally, a 1% difference.
How does Illinois compare to the national average for computer network architects?
Illinois pays $133K median vs. the U.S. average of $134K — that’s -1%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 93.85), the purchasing-power equivalent is $141K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do computer network architects make in Illinois?
The median is $132,790 a year, that works out to about $64 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $81,630, and experienced computer network architects can clear $201,190. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $133K enough to live in Illinois?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,912/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,407/month, which eats 17.8% 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 Illinois?
Illinois has a Regional Price Parity of 93.85 (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 $141,492 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.