Computer Network Architects Salary
Computer Network Architects in Iowa make a median of $103,050 a year, or about $49.54 an hour. The range runs from $63K at the entry level to $160K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 88.86), which stretches that salary to about $115,969 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,064/month, or 16.3% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Iowa. Jump to a metro for precise data:
Where the paycheck goes
What $103K actually covers in Iowa, month by month
About computer network architects
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What this looks like in Iowa
Pay for computer network architects in Iowa runs about 23% below the U.S. median of $134K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,064/month, 16.9% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 88.86 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 11% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Lower pay, lower costs, Iowa can be a reasonable trade-off for computer network architects who value affordability over top-dollar markets.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Iowa
Entry-level computer network architects (10th percentile) start around $63K. Mid-career wages sit at $103K. Top earners bring in $160K or more, a $97K spread from bottom to top.
Computer Network Architects salary by metro in Iowa
6 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux City | $114K | +11% | 70 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island | $109K | +5% | 240 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines | $108K | +5% | 640 |
| Ames | $103K | -0% | 30 |
| Cedar Rapids | $98K | -5% | 130 |
| Iowa City | $97K | -6% | 70 |
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Quick answers
The stuff people actually ask about this job
Can a computer network architect afford a 2BR apartment alone in Iowa?
Yes — at the median salary of $103K, rent takes 16.9% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,064/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for computer network architects in Iowa?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new computer network architects typically earn — is $63K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,115/month. At HUD’s $1,064/month FMR, rent would take 26% of that take-home — manageable on an entry-level income.
Is computer network architect a high-paying job in Iowa?
Local pay runs 23% below the national median — $103K here vs. $134K nationally. Cost of living is 11% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does Iowa compare to the national average for computer network architects?
Iowa pays $103K median vs. the U.S. average of $134K — that’s -23%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 88.86), the purchasing-power equivalent is $116K — below the national median.
How much do computer network architects make in Iowa?
The median is $103,050 a year, that works out to about $50 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $62,850, and experienced computer network architects can clear $160,320. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $103K enough to live in Iowa?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,286/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,064/month, which eats 16.9% 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 Iowa?
Iowa has a Regional Price Parity of 88.86 (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 $115,969 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.