# 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.

- **SOC code:** 15-1241.00
- **Canonical URL:** https://singulariki.com/roles/role-15-1241-00
- **Also known as:** Computer Network Technologist, Network Analyst, Solutions Architect, Systems Engineer, Network Consultant, Network Systems Consultant, Networking Systems Engineer, System Programmer
- **Frame:** "AI exposure" means task overlap (how codifiable the work is), not jobs lost or a forecast. Every figure below is traced to a named public dataset.

## What this work is

**Core tasks** (O*NET):
- Develop disaster recovery plans.
- Develop or recommend network security measures, such as firewalls, network security audits, or automated security probes.
- Develop and implement solutions for network problems.
- Maintain networks by performing activities such as file addition, deletion, or backup.
- Coordinate network operations, maintenance, repairs, or upgrades.
- Coordinate installation of new equipment.
- Monitor and analyze network performance and reports on data input or output to detect problems, identify inefficient use of computer resources, or perform capacity planning.
- Develop network-related documentation.
- Develop and write procedures for installation, use, or troubleshooting of communications hardware or software.
- Participate in network technology upgrade or expansion projects, including installation of hardware and software and integration testing.
- Design, build, or operate equipment configuration prototypes, including network hardware, software, servers, or server operation systems.
- Adjust network sizes to meet volume or capacity demands.

## Skills, tools, capabilities

**Knowledge, skills & abilities** (O*NET, highest importance first):
- Computers and Electronics _(knowledge)_
- Engineering and Technology _(knowledge)_
- Telecommunications _(knowledge)_
- Critical Thinking _(essential_skill)_
- Reading Comprehension _(essential_skill)_
- Oral Comprehension _(ability)_
- Written Comprehension _(ability)_
- Written Expression _(ability)_
- Problem Sensitivity _(ability)_
- Deductive Reasoning _(ability)_
- Inductive Reasoning _(ability)_
- Information Ordering _(ability)_

**Skills in demand:**
- Telecommunications _(Specialized Skill)_
- Critical Thinking _(Common Skill)_
- Reading Comprehension _(Common Skill)_
- Information Ordering _(Specialized Skill)_
- Inductive Reasoning _(Common Skill)_
- Deductive Reasoning _(Common Skill)_
- Complex Problem Solving _(Common Skill)_
- English Language _(Common Skill)_
- Systems Analysis _(Specialized Skill)_
- Active Listening _(Common Skill)_
- Writing _(Common Skill)_
- Microsoft Excel _(Common Skill)_

**Tools & technology:**
- Amazon Web Services AWS software _(hot technology, in demand)_
- Ansible software _(hot technology, in demand)_
- Border Gateway Protocol BGP _(hot technology, in demand)_
- IBM Terraform _(hot technology, in demand)_
- Linux _(hot technology, in demand)_
- Microsoft Azure software _(hot technology, in demand)_
- Microsoft Excel _(hot technology, in demand)_
- Microsoft Office software _(hot technology, in demand)_
- Microsoft PowerShell _(hot technology, in demand)_
- Oracle Java _(hot technology, in demand)_
- Python _(hot technology, in demand)_
- Structured query language SQL _(hot technology, in demand)_

## AI exposure & outlook

- **AI task-overlap index:** 87th percentile (High) across all occupations — composite of current-era exposure studies (ai-exposure-index-v1).
- **LLM task exposure, γ (OpenAI / Eloundou):** 84th percentile (High) — source: eloundou_gamma.
- **AI assistant applicability (Microsoft):** 80th percentile (High) — source: microsoft_applicability.
- **Projected employment (BLS 2024–34):** 11.9% growth (Growing fast); 11.2k annual openings; 179.2k → 200.6k jobs.
- **Pay & employment (BLS OEWS, May 2024):** median $130,390; 177,010 employed.

## Sources

- **O*NET** (30.3) — U.S. Department of Labor / National Center for O*NET Development. https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html
- **BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)** (May 2024) — U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- **BLS Employment Projections** (2024–2034) — U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- **Anthropic Economic Index** (v4 (2026-01-15) + v2 (2025-03-27)) — Anthropic. https://www.anthropic.com/economic-index
- **Microsoft “Working with AI”** (working-with-ai) — Microsoft Research. https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/research/
- **“GPTs are GPTs” (Eloundou et al.)** (arXiv 2303.10130) — OpenAI / academic. https://arxiv.org/abs/2303.10130

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_Generated from Singulariki's joined dataset; data snapshot 2026-06-02T21:00:32.945303+00:00. https://singulariki.com/roles/role-15-1241-00_