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Job outlook for computer architects in the United States
Are computer architect jobs in demand?
Computer architect job and salary trends over time
Computer architect jobs over time
Computer architect job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 221 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 228 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 233 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 229 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 227 | 0.00% |
Average computer architect salary over time
Computer architect salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $93,616 | $45.01 | +1.9% |
| 2024 | $91,831 | $44.15 | +1.7% |
| 2023 | $90,273 | $43.40 | +1.2% |
| 2022 | $89,238 | $42.90 | +2.0% |
| 2021 | $87,487 | $42.06 | +1.1% |
Computer architect jobs by state
Most common states for computer architects
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 242 | 35% |
| 2 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 178 | 24% |
| 3 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 1,193 | 20% |
| 4 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 222 | 17% |
| 5 | Delaware | 961,939 | 151 | 16% |
| 6 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 528 | 15% |
| 7 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 161 | 15% |
| 8 | Alaska | 739,795 | 110 | 15% |
| 9 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 89 | 15% |
| 10 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 1,780 | 14% |
| 11 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,031 | 14% |
| 12 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 789 | 14% |
| 13 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 789 | 14% |
| 14 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 1,397 | 13% |
| 15 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 1,285 | 13% |
| 16 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 1,181 | 13% |
| 17 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 228 | 13% |
| 18 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 110 | 13% |
| 19 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 237 | 12% |
| 20 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 769 | 11% |
Most common cities for computer architects
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lexington | 2 | 6% | $90,976 |
| 2 | Cupertino | 3 | 5% | $133,230 |
| 3 | Frankfort | 1 | 4% | $72,207 |
| 4 | Annapolis | 1 | 3% | $75,991 |
| 5 | Dover | 1 | 3% | $74,890 |
| 6 | Juneau | 1 | 3% | $82,450 |
| 7 | Santa Clara | 3 | 2% | $133,214 |
| 8 | Hartford | 1 | 1% | $82,496 |
| 9 | Huntsville | 1 | 1% | $74,537 |
| 10 | Lansing | 1 | 1% | $92,072 |
| 11 | Little Rock | 1 | 1% | $63,189 |
| 12 | Livonia | 1 | 1% | $92,392 |
| 13 | Albuquerque | 1 | 0% | $89,424 |
| 14 | Atlanta | 1 | 0% | $92,212 |
| 15 | Baton Rouge | 1 | 0% | $81,958 |
| 16 | Boston | 1 | 0% | $91,175 |
| 17 | Des Moines | 1 | 0% | $63,774 |
| 18 | Jacksonville | 1 | 0% | $72,009 |
Computer Architect job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of computer architect experts
University of Nevada - Las Vegas
SUNY at Buffalo
Seminole State College of Florida
College of Charleston
What Computer Architect skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Grant Mosey Ph.D.: I would advise architecture students to be as flexible as possible. While NAAB accredited schools award 6,000 to 7,000 professional degrees per year, NCARB states that fewer than 3,500 architects reach licensure each year. This suggests that many of those educated as architects are actually finding work in allied subjects. I know of many graduates who are set to become architects who end up becoming real estate professionals, construction professionals, policy-makers, academics, and more. Even for those dead set on architectural practice, these opportunities in adjacent fields can open doors to more design-focused practice.
What general advice would you give to a Computer Architect?
Elaine Chow AIA, RA, NCARB: Adaptability will always be an important skill. There will be software improvements and changes that you need to stay aware of and technology that will benefit both the design and construction sides of the industry. Communication will remain an important part of the way we work together in teams.
Anonymous Professor
How have salaries changed over time for Computer Architects?
Anonymous Professor : With regard to money and employment compensation ... those who can be willing to try new things and move with the flow will do well ... very well. Those who cannot, it's McDonald's and minimum wage ...
A footnote: ... the people I contact do not care about who you are, what you are, or how you are. So things like pronouns, and victimization, and excuses, and hanging on to reasons for failure will not cut it in the workplace of the future ... learn ... grow ... and you will have success ...
Christy Graves
Professor/Program ManagerSeminole State College of Florida
School of Engineering, Design and Construction
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Computer Architects in the next 3-5 years?
Christy Graves: BIM (building information modeling) technology will continue to become more important in the architectural engineering technology profession.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Computer Architects in the next 3-5 years?
Dr. Barry Stiefel Ph.D.: No one (except for maybe Steve Jobs) foresaw the Smartphone Revolution. Yet, by 2010 the world had changed. Five years from now (2025), there could be another new technology that we have not even imagined previously.
My suggestion is to try to be aware, as much as possible, of the latest and upcoming tech but focus on a specific set (or two) of hardware and software that most interests you. When I was younger, I tried staying on top of it all but quickly found that so much was coming out so fast that soon I spent all my time just trying to be on top of it all and unable to do much else. Technology has become so vast and diversified that to be good at something, you may not be able to do it all.
Professional and social networking can create professional communities where people who specialize in one set or two of technology or skills can share and exchange knowledge and expertise with colleagues and friends that complement each other. This is a strategy that I recommend.