Salary guide · Architecture
Architecture salaries in 2026
Architects at US mid-market firms earn $62,000 to $82,000 base in their first three years, and up to $360,000 at the top as an architecture principal or partner. Of the 1,479 open architecture jobs in our database, 609 list an annual pay range. BLS puts the national median at $99,280 for architects (May 2025).
Roles
8from architectural designer to architecture principal or partner
Postings with pay
609of 1,479 open architecture jobs
BLS national median
$99kArchitects (except landscape and naval), SOC 17-1011, May 2025
The ladder
Pay by role
Base salary for each rung, with what live postings offer underneath. Open a role for its recent postings.
| Role | Chart | Recruiter band | Posted median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Architectural designer0 to 3 yrs | $62k to $82k | $75k50 postings | |
| Intermediate architectural designer3 to 5 yrs | $78k to $98k | $88k75 postings | |
| Project architect5 to 8 yrs | $95k to $125k | $115k211 postings | |
| Senior project architect8 to 12 yrs | $120k to $155k | $138k60 postings | |
| Architectural project manager | $130k to $170k | $130k43 postings | |
| Senior project manager or studio director | $160k to $210k | $163k44 postings | |
| Design director | $170k to $230k | Only 2 with pay | |
| Architecture principal or partner | $210k to $360k | $173k36 postings | |
$50k$100k$150k$200k$250k$300k$350k$400k | |||
- What moves it
- Design studios, 20 to 400 people. Registered architects (RA, AIA, NCARB) typically earn a 5 to 10% bonus on top.
- Bonus
- Bonus typically adds 5 to 15% for senior roles and up to 25% at principal and partner level.
- Basis
- Base salary at US mid-market AEC firms (40 to 400 people), before bonus, equity and project incentive pay.
BLS benchmark
Architecture pay by city
What all employers pay, from the May 2025 federal wage survey. One median covers every level, so read it against the middle of the ladder.
- 10th percentile
- $62,300
- 25th percentile
- $77,960
- Median
- $99,280
- 75th percentile
- $126,550
- 90th percentile
- $161,420
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Annual wages, all employers, before bonus and overtime.
| Metro | Median |
|---|---|
| United States | $99,280 |
| San Francisco | $127k+27% vs US |
| Boston | $119k+20% vs US |
| Los Angeles | $104k+5% vs US |
| Denver | $104k+5% vs US |
| Phoenix | $104k+5% vs US |
| Atlanta | $103k+4% vs US |
| Indianapolis | $103k+4% vs US |
| Washington, DC | $102k+3% vs US |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul | $101k+2% vs US |
| Seattle | $101k+1% vs US |
| Nashville | $100k+1% vs US |
| Kansas City | $100k+1% vs US |
| New York | $100kSame as US |
| Columbus | $99kSame as US |
| Charlotte | $99k−1% vs US |
| Houston | $98k−2% vs US |
| Austin | $97k−3% vs US |
| Tampa | $95k−5% vs US |
| Dallas-Fort Worth | $94k−5% vs US |
| Raleigh | $92k−8% vs US |
| Chicago | $82k−18% vs US |
Other ladders
Salaries in other disciplines
Questions
Questions about this pay
How much do architects make in 2026?
Architects at US mid-market firms earn $62,000 to $82,000 base in their first three years, and up to $360,000 at the top as an architecture principal or partner. Of the 1,479 open architecture jobs in our database, 609 list an annual pay range. BLS puts the national median at $99,280 for architects (May 2025).
Which cities pay architects the most?
Of the 21 metros on this page, BLS reports the highest median pay for architects in San Francisco ($127k), Boston ($119k) and Los Angeles ($104k), and the lowest in Chicago ($82k). The national median is $99,280.
Does architect registration raise pay?
Yes. Registered architects (RA, AIA, NCARB) typically earn a 5 to 10% bonus on top.
Do these figures include bonus?
No. Base salary at US mid-market AEC firms (40 to 400 people), before bonus, equity and project incentive pay. Bonus typically adds 5 to 15% for senior roles and up to 25% at principal and partner level.
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