Computer Network Architect salary in California
Computer Network Architects in California earn a median of $158,870 a year ($76.38 an hour), based on BLS data for 14,870 workers.
Pay ranges from $97,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $224,930 for the top 10%. That is 19% higher than the national median of $134,050. California ranks 4th of 51 states for computer network architects pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.82 computer network architects per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.71). The average (mean) salary is $161,350, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for computer network architects in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $97,070 | $46.67 |
| 25th percentile | $127,610 | $61.35 |
| Median | $158,870 | $76.38 |
| 75th percentile | $197,100 | $94.76 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $224,930 | $108.14 |
| Average (mean) | $161,350 | $77.57 |
Half of computer network architects earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $13,239.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,619.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,110.38 |
| Weekly | $3,055.19 |
| Hourly | $76.38 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Computer Network Architect salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $186,110 | 2,730 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $166,760 | 3,350 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $157,700 | 1,490 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $147,510 | 3,500 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $141,350 | 580 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $137,350 | 180 |
| Salinas, CA | $132,480 | 40 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $129,530 | 50 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $128,990 | 130 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $128,110 | 400 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $124,510 | 70 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $122,910 | 100 |
| Modesto, CA | $120,870 | 70 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $118,340 | 150 |
| Visalia, CA | $117,610 | 30 |
| Vallejo, CA | $108,290 | 70 |
| Fresno, CA | $98,680 | 130 |
Highest-paying states for computer network architects
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $168,070 |
| New Jersey | $162,350 |
| Maryland | $159,460 |
| California | $158,870 |
| Massachusetts | $155,060 |
| South Dakota | $153,390 |
| Delaware | $148,390 |
| Connecticut | $143,890 |
| Virginia | $141,340 |
| New York | $140,390 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $174,410 | $83.85 |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $134,440 | $64.63 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $79,570 | $38.25 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $127,720 | $61.40 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $128,740 | $61.89 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designers | $136,110 | $65.44 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators | $106,440 | $51.18 |
| Information Security Analyst | $138,570 | $66.62 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $79,190 | $38.07 |
| Computer Programmer | $116,760 | $56.13 |
| Computer and Information Research Scientists | $159,100 | $76.49 |
| Web Developer | $119,570 | $57.48 |
| Database Administrator | $113,060 | $54.35 |
| Database Architect | $170,160 | $81.81 |
More: Computer and Mathematical Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 15-1241. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a computer network architect make in California?
The median salary for computer network architects in California is $158,870 a year, or $76.38 an hour. Pay ranges from $97,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $224,930 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid computer network architects make in California?
The top 10% of computer network architects in California earn at least $224,930 a year. The top 25% earn $197,100 or more.
What is the starting pay for computer network architects in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $97,070 a year, and a quarter of computer network architects earn $127,610 or less.
How many computer network architects work in California?
About 14,870 computer network architects are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.