How To Become A Senior Network Architect: What It Is and Career Path

What is a senior network architect and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted expert

Alfredo Fernandez-Gonzalez

A senior network architect is responsible for all the computer networks that a company relies on, such as local area networks (LANs), Internet connections, and more. Senior network architects oversee the network process at every step of the way, from designing systems to installing them to troubleshooting if there are issues.

They need to be highly proficient in the technical aspects of network administration, including Cisco Systems, VPNs, modems, and more. However, the job of a senior network architect does not stop at technical troubleshooting. They also supervise the work of more junior network architects and develop an overall plan that will meet a company's network needs.

Senior network architects are in high demand and earn an average salary of $113,746 a year. However, they need to put in many years of hard work before earning this salary and this position.

Senior network architects usually spend several years working as network engineers or junior architects before earning a promotion to this senior role. They usually need at least a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering.

What general advice would you give to a senior network architect?

Alfredo Fernandez-Gonzalez

Professor of Architecture, University of Nevada - Las Vegas

It is important for recent graduates to recognize that Architecture is no longer limited to the physical realm, as transformative technologies are providing interesting career opportunities in the digital realm as well. This rapidly evolving context offers many opportunities and new directions for the discipline and remaining (or becoming!) current in new developments in computing power, digital visuals, manufacturing technologies, and robotics, are ways in which a recent graduate can secure a good paying job.

ScoreSenior Network ArchitectUS Average

Salary

8.0

Avg. Salary $114,322

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

5.7

Growth rate 5%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

3.7

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.31%

Asian 10.87%

Black or African American 8.67%

Hispanic or Latino 12.37%

Unknown 5.07%

White 62.71%

Gender

female 3.54%

male 96.46%

Age - 42

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 42

Stress level

5.7

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

6.7

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

7.1

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a senior network architect

Explore senior network architect education requirements

Most common senior network architect degrees

Bachelor's

63.0 %

Associate

16.7 %

Master's

14.2 %

Start to develop specific senior network architect skills

Skills	Percentages
Cloud	8.58%
Azure	7.48%
OSPF	6.15%
EIGRP	5.41%
Emerging Technologies	5.05%

Complete relevant senior network architect training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New senior network architects learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a senior network architect based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real senior network architect resumes.

Research senior network architect duties and responsibilities

Control fully mesh MPLS network and relationship with manage services tie to the service.
Experience implementing and managing Cisco power networks, including QOS, IBGP and BGP.
Manage all application network impact studies, high availability needs and QoS traffic controls.
Manage Visio drawing for Aviva HQ as well as Aviva data center and remote branches.

Get senior network architect experience

Generally, it takes 1-2 years to become a senior network architect. The most common roles before becoming a senior network architect include senior network engineer, network engineer team lead and network administrator.

Prepare your senior network architect resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your senior network architect resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a senior network architect resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

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