Computer Network Architects vs Cost Estimators: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Computer Network Architects professionals earn $53,320 more per year than Cost Estimators professionals — that's 69.2% higher. At the 90th percentile, Computer Network Architects earns $198,030 compared to $128,640 for Cost Estimators.
Salary Range Comparison
Computer Network Architects$79,520 – $198,030
Cost Estimators$46,330 – $128,640
$46,330$198,030
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Computer Network Architects | Cost Estimators | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $79,520 | $46,330 | +$33,190 |
| 25th Percentile | $102,120 | $59,830 | +$42,290 |
| Median (50th) | $130,390 | $77,070 | +$53,320 |
| 75th Percentile | $164,440 | $99,630 | +$64,810 |
| 90th Percentile | $198,030 | $128,640 | +$69,390 |
| Mean (Average) | $135,890 | $83,160 | +$52,730 |
Employment Numbers
Computer Network Architects
177,010
employed nationwide
Cost Estimators
219,530
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
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 |
Best Cities for Cost Estimators
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $104,190 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $103,030 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $97,990 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $86,540 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $86,300 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Computer Network Architects or Cost Estimators?
Computer Network Architects professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $53,320 (69.2% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
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.
What is the salary range for Cost Estimators?
Cost Estimators salaries range from $46,330 (10th percentile) to $128,640 (90th percentile), with a median of $77,070.
How many Computer Network Architects and Cost Estimators jobs are there?
There are approximately 177,010 Computer Network Architects positions and 219,530 Cost Estimators positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Cost Estimators to Computer Network Architects?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Computer Network Architects has a median salary of $130,390 while Cost Estimators earns $77,070. 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