Headline risk
40%
High RiskNetwork Engineer
AI displacement pressure score based on US employment data, wages, and demand signals. Built from 3 related occupations weighted by relevance.
Why this score
74% of tasks overlap with current AI
25% human advantage from judgment & presence
67% demand buffer from the local labour market
These factors interact with each other — the final score is not a simple sum of these bars.
Share of tasks AI can handle today
Work that requires human presence or coordination
How strong local hiring demand is for this role
How complete the underlying data is
Workflow profile
How this role's daily work breaks down across different dimensions.
Workflow dimensions (0 = low, 1 = high)
US employment data
Employment overview
Share of job tasks AI can currently perform
Annual median wage
Projected employment change 2024–2034
Education and training typically needed
Key metrics
Job zone
4The occupation usually needs substantial preparation and experience.
Median wage
USD 130,390USD 102,120 to USD 164,440
Openings
11.2K11.9% projected change
Median age
45.196K employed
What this job involves
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.
Entry requirements: Moderate preparation
The occupation usually needs substantial preparation and experience.
Wage context
Median annual
USD 130,390
Mean annual
USD 135,890
10th percentile: USD 79,520
25th percentile: USD 102,120
75th percentile: USD 164,440
90th percentile: USD 198,030
Hourly median: USD 63
Employment: 177,010 workers
Demand outlook
Current employment
179.2K
Projected employment
200.6K
Openings: 11.2K
Projected change: 11.9%
Education: Bachelor's degree
Work experience: 5 years or more
On-the-job training: None
Median wage: USD 130,390
Employment of computer network architects is projected to grow 12 percent from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Workforce profile
Based on a survey of workers currently in this occupation.
Protects from AI displacement
- Can telework 33.5% of workers
- License required 33.0% of workers
Typical background
- Certificate 9.3% of workers
- No education requirement <5% of workers
- High school diploma 55.7% of workers
- Bachelor's degree 31.1% of workers
- Associate's degree 11.0% of workers
- On-the-job training 37.72% of workers
Day-to-day work
Computer network architects design and implement data communication networks, including local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), and intranets.
Most computer network architects work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. Network architects work in a variety of industries, usually in an office setting.
Computer network architects typically need a bachelor’s degree in a computer-related field and experience in a related occupation, such as network and computer systems administrators .
Key tasks
- 1. Develop disaster recovery plans. · AI can do 0%
- 2. Develop or recommend network security measures, such as firewalls, network security audits, or automated security probes. · AI can do 74%
- 3. Develop and implement solutions for network problems. · AI can do 92%
- 4. Keep abreast of changes in industry practices and emerging telecommunications technology by reviewing current literature, talking with colleagues, participating in educational programs, attending meetings or workshops, or participating in professional organizations or conferences. · AI can do 0%
- 5. Maintain networks by performing activities such as file addition, deletion, or backup. · AI can do 94%
- 6. Assess existing facilities' needs for new or modified telecommunications systems. · AI can do 0%
Tools commonly used
Work environment
- E-Mail 5.0/5
- E-Mail 5.0/5
- Telephone Conversations 5.0/5
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled 4.7/5
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams 4.7/5
- Contact With Others 4.5/5
Who does this work
Median age: 45.1
96K employed · Under 25: 0% · 25–54: 79% · 55+: 21%
Data sources: O*NET 30.2 / OEWS 2024 / ORS 2025 / OOH 2025-08-28 / Projections 2024-34 / CPS 2025 / Anthropic task penetration
Component occupations
Computer network architects
15-1241 · 50% weight
Network, servers and computer systems administrator
Support bundle: Moderate preparation
IT infrastructure specialist
n/a · 30% weight
IT infrastructure specialist
Cloud specialist
n/a · 20% weight
Cloud specialist
How this score works
The score measures how much this role's tasks overlap with current AI capabilities, adjusted for human-only requirements and local job market demand. This is a structural pressure estimate, not a prediction of job losses. Learn how scores work →