Start with the answer
Computer Network Architects pay in Fargo, ND-MN and San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
The May 2025 BLS OEWS median for Computer Network Architects is $109,220 per year in Fargo, ND-MN. It is $186,110 per year in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA. Fargo, ND-MN is 41.3% below San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA on the published median.
Both rows use SOC 15-1241 and the same annual wage metric. Median means the middle of each area's published wage spread. It is not one worker's pay. The larger median is not proof that one place gives a better job or a better result. It is one wage fact from one source period.
BLS lists 100 wage and salary jobs in Fargo, ND-MN and 2,730 in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA. Those are survey job counts, not open posts. Read pay, job scale, local share, and price level as separate facts before you make a choice.
Evidence: bls-oews-may-2025 · Rule: same-soc-same-metric-pair · nominal-median-gap · employment-not-openings