Civil Engineers vs Computer Network Architects: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Computer Network Architects professionals earn $30,800 more per year than Civil Engineers professionals — that's 30.9% higher. At the 90th percentile, Civil Engineers earns $160,990 compared to $198,030 for Computer Network Architects.
Salary Range Comparison
Civil Engineers$65,920 – $160,990
Computer Network Architects$79,520 – $198,030
$65,920$198,030
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Civil Engineers | Computer Network Architects | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $65,920 | $79,520 | $-13,600 |
| 25th Percentile | $78,790 | $102,120 | $-23,330 |
| Median (50th) | $99,590 | $130,390 | $-30,800 |
| 75th Percentile | $128,290 | $164,440 | $-36,150 |
| 90th Percentile | $160,990 | $198,030 | $-37,040 |
| Mean (Average) | $107,050 | $135,890 | $-28,840 |
Employment Numbers
Civil Engineers
355,410
employed nationwide
Computer Network Architects
177,010
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Civil Engineers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $130,310 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $129,260 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $126,560 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $109,250 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $108,010 |
Best Cities for Computer Network Architects
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $174,120 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $166,880 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $163,570 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $155,480 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $153,820 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Civil Engineers or Computer Network Architects?
Computer Network Architects professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $30,800 (30.9% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Civil Engineers?
Civil Engineers salaries range from $65,920 (10th percentile) to $160,990 (90th percentile), with a median of $99,590.
What is the salary range for Computer Network Architects?
Computer Network Architects salaries range from $79,520 (10th percentile) to $198,030 (90th percentile), with a median of $130,390.
How many Civil Engineers and Computer Network Architects jobs are there?
There are approximately 355,410 Civil Engineers positions and 177,010 Computer Network Architects positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Computer Network Architects to Civil Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Civil Engineers has a median salary of $99,590 while Computer Network Architects earns $130,390. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS