Data Architect Salary in 2026
Design, create, and manage data architecture and data management frameworks.
Median Salary
$139,500
$11,625/mo
Entry Level
$98,200
starting pay
Senior Level
$191,200
experienced
Job Growth
+18%
10-yr outlook
BLS OEWS May 2025 · official national figures
BLS reports Database Architects (SOC 15-1243, the closest published occupation to Data Architect) at a national median of $139,500 per year (mean $144,440), or $67.07 per hour, with 67,140 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.
Data Architect Overview
Design, create, and manage data architecture and data management frameworks.
Education
Bachelor's/Master's
Experience
5-8 years
Industry
Technology
Total Jobs (US)
67K
5-Year Growth
+16%
Category
Technology
Hourly Rate
$67.07/hr
Monthly Pay
$11,625
Data Architect Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Data Architect salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Data Architect Salary
$160,000
$13,333/month · $6,154/biweekly · $76.92/hr
Data Architect Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Data Architect field.
Entry-level Data Architects earn around $98,200, while the top 10% earn $209,250 or more.
Top Paying States for Data Architects
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $165,000 | +$25,500 |
| New York | $160,000 | +$20,500 |
| Washington | $156,000 | +$16,500 |
| Virginia | $148,000 | +$8,500 |
| Texas | $137,000 | $-2,500 |
Top Paying Cities for Data Architects
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | $174,000 | +$34,500 |
| New York | $165,000 | +$25,500 |
| Washington DC | $160,000 | +$20,500 |
| Seattle | $159,000 | +$19,500 |
| Austin | $144,000 | +$4,500 |
City figures are Salario estimates that scale the national median by a city cost-of-labor multiplier; BLS does not publish a metro-level series for this title.
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Data Architect Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Data Architect from entry level to expert.
$98,200
0-2 years
$145,000
3-7 years
$191,200
8-14 years
$227,300
15+ years
Related Technology Jobs
Software Engineer
DevOps Engineer
Mobile App Developer
Machine Learning Engineer
Data Engineer
Site Reliability Engineer
AI Engineer
Backend Developer
Data Architect Salary FAQ
How much does a Data Architect make in 2026?
The median salary for a Data Architect in the United States is $139,500 per year, the BLS OEWS May 2025 national median for Database Architects (SOC 15-1243); the mean is $144,440. Salario's calibrated tiers put entry-level positions around $98,200, senior professionals around $191,200, and top earners at $227,300 or more annually.
What education is needed to become a Data Architect?
A Data Architect typically requires a Bachelor's/Master's with 5-8 years of experience. Key skills include Data Modeling, SQL, NoSQL. Relevant certifications such as CDMP Certification can boost earning potential and career advancement.
What is the job outlook for Data Architects?
The job market for Data Architects is projected to grow by 18% over the next decade. There are currently approximately 67K Data Architect positions in the US. Salary growth over the past 5 years has been approximately 16%, reflecting strong demand for this role.
Which states pay Data Architects the most?
The highest-paying states for Data Architects include California, New York, Virginia. In California, the median salary is approximately $165,000. However, cost of living varies significantly, so adjusted purchasing power should be considered when comparing salaries across states.
How can I increase my Data Architect salary?
To increase your Data Architect salary, focus on gaining expertise in high-demand skills like Data Modeling and SQL. Pursue certifications such as CDMP Certification. Consider relocating to higher-paying markets like San Francisco. With 5-8 years of experience, you can progress from $98,200 to $191,200 or more.
Methodology & Data Sources: Data Architect Salary
How we calculate Data Architect salary data: The national median is the official BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median wage for Database Architects (SOC 15-1243), 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: $139,500, BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median for Database Architects; BLS mean $144,440; BLS hourly median $67.07.
- Entry-level ($98,200) and senior-level ($191,200) 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: +18% projected growth is Salario's outlook figure; compare with the BLS Employment Projections program. BLS OEWS May 2025 counts 67,140 Database Architects jobs nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 16% is a Salario estimate of past 5-year wage growth for the Technology sector, informed by the BLS Employment Cost Index.
- Education requirement: Bachelor's/Master's, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State and city estimates apply Salario cost-of-labor multipliers to the national median of $139,500; city rows marked "BLS metro" are real OEWS metropolitan-area medians instead.
Authoritative US data sources for Data Architect compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Data 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 Technology
- 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: Data Architect salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (Data Modeling, SQL, NoSQL), 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.