Computer Network Architects Salary
Computer Network Architects in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA make a median of $172,650 a year, or about $83.01 an hour. The range runs from $94K at the entry level to $244K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 111.13), so that salary is closer to $155,359 in real purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $2,501/month, or 22.5% of estimated take-home pay.
So what does $173K get you in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue’s Regional Price Parity (111.13). 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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue sits well above the national pay line for computer network architects, local pay runs about 29% higher than the U.S. median of $134K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $2,501/month, 23.3% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Cost-of-living overall is 11% above the national average (BEA RPP 111.13), so groceries and services cost more too. Combined with manageable housing costs, Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue offers a genuinely strong financial position for computer network architectss at the median.
Compared to nearby metros
Median pay for computer network architects in metros near Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, adjusted for local cost of living.
| Metro | Median pay | COL-adjusted |
|---|---|---|
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater | $118K | $114K |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley | $130K | $130K |
| Kennewick-Richland | $141K | $141K |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard | $169K | $160K |
COL-adjusted = median salary ÷ (BEA Regional Price Parity ÷ 100). Expresses purchasing power in national-average dollars.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Entry-level computer network architects (10th percentile) start around $94K. Mid-career wages sit at $173K. Top earners bring in $244K or more, a $150K 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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
Yes — at the median salary of $173K, rent takes 23.3% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,501/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for computer network architects in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new computer network architects typically earn — is $94K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $5,633/month. At HUD’s $2,501/month FMR, rent would take 44% 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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
Local pay is 29% above the national median — $173K here vs. $134K nationally. Keep in mind cost of living here is 11% above the national average, which offsets some of that premium.
How does Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue compare to the national average for computer network architects?
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue pays $173K median vs. the U.S. average of $134K — that’s +29%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 111.13), the purchasing-power equivalent is $155K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do computer network architects make in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The median is $172,650 a year, that works out to about $83 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $93,880, and experienced computer network architects can clear $243,590. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $173K enough to live in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $10,730/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,501/month, which eats 23.3% 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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue has a Regional Price Parity of 111.13 (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 $155,359 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.