Computer Network Architects Salary
Computer Network Architects in Virginia make a median of $141,340 a year, or about $67.95 an hour. The range runs from $85K at the entry level to $210K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 94.79), which stretches that salary to about $149,109 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,646/month, or 19.2% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Virginia. Jump to a metro for precise data:
Where the paycheck goes
What $141K actually covers in Virginia, month by month
About computer network architects
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What this looks like in Virginia
Computer network architects pay in Virginia tracks closely to the national median, $141K locally vs. $134K nationwide, a 5% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,646/month, 19.8% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 94.79 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 5% 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, Virginia
Entry-level computer network architects (10th percentile) start around $85K. Mid-career wages sit at $141K. Top earners bring in $210K or more, a $125K spread from bottom to top.
Computer Network Architects salary by metro in Virginia
7 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winchester | $133K | -6% | 60 |
| Richmond | $129K | -9% | 870 |
| Roanoke | $124K | -13% | 80 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford | $117K | -17% | 40 |
| Charlottesville | $116K | -18% | 110 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk | $111K | -21% | 920 |
| Lynchburg | $109K | -23% | 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 Virginia?
Yes — at the median salary of $141K, rent takes 19.8% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,646/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for computer network architects in Virginia?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new computer network architects typically earn — is $85K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $5,320/month. At HUD’s $1,646/month FMR, rent would take 31% 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 Virginia?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $141K locally vs. $134K nationally, a 5% difference.
How does Virginia compare to the national average for computer network architects?
Virginia pays $141K median vs. the U.S. average of $134K — that’s +5%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 94.79), the purchasing-power equivalent is $149K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do computer network architects make in Virginia?
The median is $141,340 a year, that works out to about $68 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $85,050, and experienced computer network architects can clear $210,180. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $141K enough to live in Virginia?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $8,312/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,646/month, which eats 19.8% 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 Virginia?
Virginia has a Regional Price Parity of 94.79 (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 $149,109 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.