Architect Salary & Career Insights

What is the average salary for an architect in the United States?

$93,310 per year

According to BLS.gov, the average salary for an architect in the United States is $93,310 annually. The lowest salary is $58,870 annually, and the highest is $151,300 annually.

Job Outlook & Work Environment

Job Outlook

🚀 127,300; estimated number of architect jobs. It is estimated that 9,900 new jobs will be added by 2033.

☀️ The projected job outlook is expected to grow at a rate of 8% which is faster than the growth of the average career.

Work Environment

💼 Most architects mostly work in offices, but some will visit construction sites.

🏢 75% of architects work in architectural, engineering, and related services.

Architect Salary in Comparison to Patent Law Salaries

How Does an Architect Salary Stack Up?

The average architect salary is $93K annually. While we don’t have an average salary for design patent practitioners yet since this is a new class of practitioner, patent agents typically earn $130K annually. This is over $35K more than the average architect. Patent attorneys typically earn $185K annually which is around double what the typical architect earns. It will likely pay for an architect to sit for the patent bar exam and start a patent law career.

Top Architect Salaries by Industry

IndustryAverage Salary
Nondepository Credit Intermediation$173,000
Insurance Carriers$152,320
Scientific Research and Development Services$151,270
Land Subdivision$150,170
Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services$148,870
Annual mean wages.

Salary by Architect Industry

In the U.S., the average architect salary is $93,310.

Architects working in the nondepository credit intermediation industry earn the highest average salary at $173,000. Those employed by insurance carriers receive an average salary of $152,320, while those in scientific research and development services earn $151,270. In the land subdivision and management, scientific, and technical consulting services industries, architects earn average salaries of $150,170 and $148,870, respectively.

Experience & Education

Here are some typical daily activities of an architect:

  • Working with Computers: Utilize computers and systems for programming, software writing, setting up functions, data entry, or processing information.
  • Drafting and Specifying Technical Devices: Create documentation, instructions, drawings, or specifications for building, assembling, modifying, maintaining, or using devices, parts, equipment, or structures.
  • Thinking Creatively: Innovate by developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
  • Getting Information: Gather information by observing, receiving, and extracting from all relevant sources.
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Evaluate information and results to identify and implement the best solutions.

Here are the typical skills you need to work as an architect:

  • Critical Thinking: Apply logic and reasoning to identify strengths and weaknesses in solutions, conclusions, or problem-solving approaches.
  • Operations Analysis: Examine needs and product requirements to develop a design.
  • Reading Comprehension: Grasp the meaning of sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
  • Speaking: Communicate information effectively to others.
  • Active Listening: Focus completely on others, understand their points, ask relevant questions, and refrain from interrupting inappropriately.

Knowledge required to work as an architect:

  • Design: Understand design techniques, tools, and principles to create detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
  • Building and Construction: Know the materials, methods, and tools for building or repairing houses, buildings, and structures like highways and roads.
  • Public Safety and Security: Familiarity with equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies for security operations to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
  • Engineering and Technology: Apply engineering science and technology principles, techniques, and tools in designing and producing goods and services.
  • Computers and Electronics: Understand circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Average Education

According to onetonline.org, 43% of architects have a Bachelor’s degree, 24% have a Master’s degree, and another 24% have a professional degree.

Top Architect Salaries by Location

Factors that Impact Pay

Architects in San Francisco, CA, earn the highest average salary among the cities listed, at $136,770. San Jose, CA, follows closely with an average salary of $136,190. In Vallejo, CA, Foley, AL, and Modesto, CA, architects receive average salaries of $128,060, $127,990, and $123,720, respectively.

Architects in California earn the highest average salary among the states listed, at $120,780. The District of Columbia follows with an average salary of $115,230, while Wyoming offers $114,810. In Alaska and Nevada, architects receive average salaries of $111,150 and $110,780, respectively.

Take a look at the average architect salaries from top-paying cities according to Bls.gov data.

CityAverage Salary
San Francisco, CA$136,770
San Jose, CA$136,190
Vallejo, CA$128,060
Foley, AL$127,990
Modesto, CA$123,720
Annual mean wages.

Look at the average architect salaries from top-paying states according to Bls.gov data.

StateAverage Salary
California$120,780
District of Columbia$115,230
Wyoming$114,810
Alaska$111,150
Nevada$110,780
Annual mean wages.

Related Careers

Patent Agent

Patent agents practice patent law before the USPTO.

Average of $130,168/year

Patent Attorney

Patent attorneys can practice patent law in addition to practicing law in jurisdictions where they are currently admitted.

Average of $185,351/year

Industrial Designer

Design and develop manufactured products by creating functional and appealing designs.

Average of $76,250/year

Job Openings in the United States


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