Computer Network Architect Salary in Washington, DC
Computer Network Architects in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $159,820 a year — 19% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $109,887 take-home, or $9,157 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median computer network architect salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$27,091
- Social Security (6.2%)$9,909
- Medicare (1.45%)$2,317
- District of Columbia income tax$10,616
- Take-home pay$109,887
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 8.50% state
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro spans District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Computer Network Architect pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $102,110 | $49.09 | $74,954 | $6,246 |
| 25th percentile | $127,050 | $61.08 | $90,274 | $7,523 |
| Median (50th) | $159,820 | $76.84 | $109,887 | $9,157 |
| 75th percentile | $178,420 | $85.78 | $121,019 | $10,085 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $216,560 | $104.12 | $145,684 | $12,140 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $159,820 buys in Washington, DC
Prices in Washington, DC are 8.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median computer network architect's $109,887 take-home pay has the buying power of $100,921 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Washington, DC has 2.6× the national concentration of computer network architect jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for computer network architects, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #8 of 16 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $172,650 | $129,272 | $116,322 |
| 2 | San Jose, CA | $186,110 | $123,074 | $111,457 |
| 3 | Baltimore, MD | $160,340 | $113,390 | $108,521 |
| 4 | Boston, MA | $160,650 | $113,258 | $104,611 |
| 5 | Dallas, TX | $137,900 | $105,521 | $102,358 |
| 6 | New York, NY | $163,010 | $114,106 | $101,371 |
| 7 | Charlotte, NC | $134,410 | $98,281 | $100,958 |
| 8 | Washington, DC | $159,820 | $109,887 | $100,921 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 16 metros →
About the job: computer network architects
Design and implement computer and information networks, such as local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), intranets, extranets, and other data communications networks. Perform network modeling, analysis, and planning, including analysis of capacity needs for network infrastructures. May also design network and computer security measures. May research and recommend network and data communications hardware and software.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- 5 years or more
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +7.7% (faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a computer network architect make in Washington, DC?
The median computer network architect salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $159,820 a year, or about $76.84 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $127,050 and $178,420.
What is a computer network architect’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $159,820 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $109,887 a year ($9,157 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $10,616 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a computer network architect?
Pay here is 19% above the national median of $134,050. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $100,921 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #8 of 16 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a computer network architect afford rent in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Washington, DC is $1,990 a month ($2,223 for two bedrooms) — 22% of a median computer network architect’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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