Architect Salary in 2026
Architects design buildings and structures, creating plans that are functional, safe, and aesthetically pleasing. They manage projects from concept through construction and collaborate with engineers.
Median Salary
$99,280
$8,273/mo
Entry Level
$62,300
starting pay
Senior Level
$140,800
experienced
Job Growth
+3%
10-yr outlook
BLS OEWS May 2025 · official national figures
BLS reports Architects, Except Landscape and Naval (SOC 17-1011) at a national median of $99,280 per year (mean $106,260), or $47.73 per hour, with 106,770 people employed nationwide. The median above is this BLS figure; the entry, senior and top tiers are Salario estimates calibrated to it. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 release.
Architect Overview
Architects design buildings and structures, creating plans that are functional, safe, and aesthetically pleasing. They manage projects from concept through construction and collaborate with engineers.
Education
Bachelor's of Architecture
Experience
3-5 years (IDP)
Industry
Engineering
Total Jobs (US)
107K
5-Year Growth
+15%
Category
Engineering
Hourly Rate
$47.73/hr
Monthly Pay
$8,273
Architect Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Architect salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Architect Salary
$114,000
$9,500/month · $4,385/biweekly · $54.81/hr
Architect Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Architect field.
Entry-level Architects earn around $62,300, while the top 10% earn $157,550 or more.
Top Paying States for Architects
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $117,000 | +$17,720 |
| New York | $114,000 | +$14,720 |
| Illinois | $103,000 | +$3,720 |
| Texas | $97,000 | $-2,280 |
| Florida | $97,000 | $-2,280 |
Top Paying Cities for Architects
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| Los AngelesBLS metro | $104,170 | +$4,890 |
| New YorkBLS metro | $99,710 | +$430 |
| HoustonBLS metro | $97,590 | $-1,690 |
| MiamiBLS metro | $97,500 | $-1,780 |
| ChicagoBLS metro | $81,790 | $-17,490 |
Rows marked BLS metro are the BLS OEWS May 2025 median annual wage for Architects, Except Landscape and Naval in that city's metropolitan statistical area (5 of 5); the remaining rows are Salario estimates that scale the national median by a city cost-of-labor multiplier.
Architect Salary by City
Published city-level wage and take-home pay guides for Architect.
- Albuquerque, NM
- Ann Arbor, MI
- Atlanta, GA
- Boston, MA
- Charlotte, NC
- Chicago, IL
- Cleveland, OH
- Dallas, TX
- Davie, FL
- Denton, TX
- El Paso, TX
- Houston, TX
- Indianapolis, IN
- Jacksonville, FL
- Las Vegas, NV
- Little Rock, AR
- Miami, FL
- Minneapolis, MN
- New Orleans, LA
- New York, NY
- Norwalk, CA
- Oklahoma City, OK
- Omaha, NE
- Philadelphia, PA
- Portland, OR
- Raleigh, NC
- San Antonio, TX
- San Diego, CA
- San Francisco, CA
- Seattle, WA
- Sioux Falls, SD
- Syracuse, NY
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Architect Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Architect from entry level to expert.
$62,300
0-2 years
$102,000
3-7 years
$140,800
8-14 years
$174,300
15+ years
Related Engineering Jobs
Civil Engineer
Structural Engineer
Industrial Engineer
Mechanical Engineer
Electrical Engineer
Robotics Engineer
Aerospace Engineer
Environmental Engineer
Architect Salary FAQ
How much does a Architect make in 2026?
The median salary for a Architect in the United States is $99,280 per year, the BLS OEWS May 2025 national median for Architects, Except Landscape and Naval (SOC 17-1011); the mean is $106,260. Salario's calibrated tiers put entry-level positions around $62,300, senior professionals around $140,800, and top earners at $174,300 or more annually.
What education is needed to become a Architect?
A Architect typically requires a Bachelor's of Architecture with 3-5 years (IDP) of experience. Key skills include AutoCAD, Revit, Building Codes. Relevant certifications such as ARE or LEED AP can boost earning potential and career advancement.
What is the job outlook for Architects?
The job market for Architects is projected to grow by 3% over the next decade. There are currently approximately 107K Architect positions in the US. Salary growth over the past 5 years has been approximately 15%, reflecting moderate demand for this role.
Which states pay Architects the most?
The highest-paying states for Architects include New York, California, Texas. In New York, the median salary is approximately $114,000. However, cost of living varies significantly, so adjusted purchasing power should be considered when comparing salaries across states.
How can I increase my Architect salary?
To increase your Architect salary, focus on gaining expertise in high-demand skills like AutoCAD and Revit. Pursue certifications such as ARE. Consider relocating to higher-paying markets like New York. With 3-5 years (IDP) of experience, you can progress from $62,300 to $140,800 or more.
Methodology & Data Sources: Architect Salary
How we calculate Architect salary data: The national median is the official BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median wage for Architects, Except Landscape and Naval (SOC 17-1011), retrieved from the BLS Public Data API. The entry, senior and top tiers are a Salario model: the shape of the distribution is Salario's, rescaled so that its median equals the BLS median. State and most city figures are Salario estimates that apply cost-of-labor multipliers to that median.
- National median salary: $99,280, BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median for Architects, Except Landscape and Naval; BLS mean $106,260; BLS hourly median $47.73.
- Entry-level ($62,300) and senior-level ($140,800) are Salario tiers calibrated to the BLS median; they are not BLS percentiles. BLS publishes P10/P25/P75/P90 wages for this occupation in its OEWS tables.
- Job outlook: +3% projected growth is Salario's outlook figure; compare with the BLS Employment Projections program. BLS OEWS May 2025 counts 106,770 Architects, Except Landscape and Naval jobs nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 15% is a Salario estimate of past 5-year wage growth for the Engineering sector, informed by the BLS Employment Cost Index.
- Education requirement: Bachelor's of Architecture, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State and city estimates apply Salario cost-of-labor multipliers to the national median of $99,280; city rows marked "BLS metro" are real OEWS metropolitan-area medians instead.
Authoritative US data sources for Architect compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Architect job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections, 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index, quarterly compensation trend data for Engineering
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary, 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: Architect salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (AutoCAD, Revit, Building Codes), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Harlan Voss · Last updated May 17, 2026 · BLS figures: OEWS May 2025 release (published May 2026), retrieved from the BLS API on September 17, 2026
Explore More Job Salaries
Compare salary data for hundreds of jobs across all industries. Find out what you should be earning.