Architect salary
BLS occupation: Architects, Except Landscape and Naval · Architecture and engineering · data for May 2025
Median salary $99,280 a year, US
Median hourly pay $47.73 an hour
Middle half earn $77,960–$126,550 25th to 75th percentile
Architects employed 106,770 +4.3% projected by 2035
How much does an architect make?
- The median architect salary in the US is $99,280 a year ($47.73 an hour): half of the 106,770 architects BLS counts earn more and half earn less. The average (mean) is $106,260.
- The middle half earn between $77,960 and $126,550. The lowest-paid 10% earn less than $62,300 and the top 10% more than $161,420.
- That is 95% more than the median for all US workers ($50,980).
- Wyoming pays architects the most (median $120,580), followed by Massachusetts ($117,330) and Maryland ($114,550). New Mexico pays the least ($77,720).
- After adjusting for prices, the pay goes furthest in Wyoming, where the median is worth $130,088 in typical US prices, then South Dakota and Oklahoma.
- In 206 of the 227 metro areas with data, the median architect salary is enough to rent a typical home without spending more than 30% of income on rent.
- BLS projects the number of architects to grow 4.3% from 2025 to 2035 (all jobs: 3.5%), with about 6,900 openings a year. The typical entry education is a bachelor's degree.
official From BLS's survey of employers: what architects are actually paid, not job ads or self-reports. Adjusted figures are derived. How we calculate.
How does your pay compare?
Architect salary range
Half of architects earn between $77,960 and $126,550 a year
Yearly pay at each point of the range, US, May 2025. For comparison, the median for all US jobs is $50,980.
Lowest 10% earn under Yearly pay: $62,300
Lowest 25% earn under Yearly pay: $77,960
Median Yearly pay: $99,280
Top 25% earn over Yearly pay: $126,550
Top 10% earn over Yearly pay: $161,420
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Show the numbers
| Yearly pay | |
|---|---|
| Lowest 10% earn under | $62,300 |
| Lowest 25% earn under | $77,960 |
| Median | $99,280 |
| Top 25% earn over | $126,550 |
| Top 10% earn over | $161,420 |
Architect salary by state
Wyoming pays architects the most; New Mexico the least
Median yearly pay by state compared with the US median ($99,280), May 2025. Blue = higher pay.
- 20%+ below US
- 10–20% below
- 3–10% below
- Within 3%
- 3–10% above
- 10–20% above
- 20%+ above US
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
Show the numbers
| State | Median pay |
|---|---|
| Wyoming | $120,580 median |
| Massachusetts | $117,330 median |
| Maryland | $114,550 median |
| Alaska | $108,730 median |
| California | $108,540 median |
| Rhode Island | $105,160 median |
| Connecticut | $103,540 median |
| South Dakota | $102,500 median |
| Colorado | $102,400 median |
| Hawaii | $102,340 median |
| District of Columbia | $102,040 median |
| Arizona | $102,000 median |
| Nevada | $101,570 median |
| South Carolina | $101,550 median |
| New Hampshire | $101,100 median |
| Georgia | $100,420 median |
| Oklahoma | $100,350 median |
| Washington | $100,190 median |
| Minnesota | $99,940 median |
| New Jersey | $99,800 median |
| New York | $99,280 median |
| Oregon | $98,800 median |
| Wisconsin | $98,510 median |
| Missouri | $98,490 median |
| Kentucky | $97,680 median |
| Virginia | $97,680 median |
| Montana | $97,290 median |
| North Dakota | $97,110 median |
| Delaware | $97,030 median |
| Pennsylvania | $97,030 median |
| Iowa | $96,810 median |
| West Virginia | $96,470 median |
| Florida | $96,240 median |
| Indiana | $96,060 median |
| Alabama | $95,990 median |
| North Carolina | $95,700 median |
| Utah | $95,590 median |
| Ohio | $94,960 median |
| Texas | $94,490 median |
| Tennessee | $94,030 median |
| Idaho | $93,710 median |
| Nebraska | $91,530 median |
| Michigan | $88,430 median |
| Kansas | $85,490 median |
| Vermont | $82,400 median |
| Illinois | $81,780 median |
| Mississippi | $80,870 median |
| Louisiana | $79,580 median |
| Maine | $78,600 median |
| Arkansas | $78,190 median |
| New Mexico | $77,720 median |
Where architect pay goes furthest
A salary buys more where prices are low. We divide each state's median by its price level from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, so every figure is in typical US prices. derived
Architects' pay goes furthest in Wyoming once prices are counted
Median pay ÷ the state's price level (BEA, 2024; US = 100), shown in typical US prices. Top 10 states.
US median
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025; BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Our calculation.
Show the numbers
| Worth, in US prices | |
|---|---|
| Wyoming | $130,088 |
| South Dakota | $115,707 |
| Oklahoma | $114,238 |
| Massachusetts | $110,943 |
| Iowa | $110,310 |
| North Dakota | $109,163 |
| Maryland | $109,138 |
| Missouri | $108,449 |
| Kentucky | $108,342 |
| South Carolina | $108,321 |
Architect pay in every state
| State | Median a year | Hourly | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Employed | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wyoming | $120,580 | $57.97 | $74,890 | $179,070 | 130 | $130,088 |
| Massachusetts | $117,330 | $56.41 | $82,920 | $163,060 | 4,590 | $110,943 |
| Maryland | $114,550 | $55.07 | $68,320 | $182,370 | 1,800 | $109,138 |
| Alaska | $108,730 | $52.27 | $60,980 | $143,340 | 210 | $106,224 |
| California | $108,540 | $52.18 | $75,640 | $171,160 | 13,270 | $98,031 |
| Rhode Island | $105,160 | $50.56 | $65,270 | $135,170 | 550 | $102,816 |
| Connecticut | $103,540 | $49.78 | $75,440 | $152,020 | 1,200 | $99,932 |
| South Dakota | $102,500 | $49.28 | $61,350 | $162,160 | 180 | $115,707 |
| Colorado | $102,400 | $49.23 | $67,990 | $170,040 | 3,290 | $99,367 |
| Hawaii | $102,340 | $49.20 | $61,080 | $128,680 | 600 | $93,078 |
| District of Columbia | $102,040 | $49.06 | $75,900 | $163,440 | 1,700 | $92,847 |
| Arizona | $102,000 | $49.04 | $68,260 | $138,170 | 1,550 | $101,314 |
| Nevada | $101,570 | $48.83 | $64,590 | $161,080 | 530 | $101,591 |
| South Carolina | $101,550 | $48.82 | $62,010 | $162,240 | 1,030 | $108,321 |
| New Hampshire | $101,100 | $48.61 | $63,200 | $133,970 | 250 | $97,058 |
| Georgia | $100,420 | $48.28 | $65,820 | $184,870 | 2,440 | $104,286 |
| Oklahoma | $100,350 | $48.25 | $55,040 | $165,790 | 910 | $114,238 |
| Washington | $100,190 | $48.17 | $70,020 | $130,380 | 3,720 | $93,624 |
| Minnesota | $99,940 | $48.05 | $59,500 | $138,690 | 2,340 | $101,337 |
| New Jersey | $99,800 | $47.98 | $72,870 | $207,650 | 2,390 | $91,724 |
| New York | $99,280 | $47.73 | $63,920 | $165,660 | 10,360 | $91,993 |
| Oregon | $98,800 | $47.50 | $68,820 | $129,880 | 2,050 | $95,587 |
| Wisconsin | $98,510 | $47.36 | $66,710 | $143,330 | 1,230 | $104,692 |
| Missouri | $98,490 | $47.35 | $60,190 | $153,860 | 2,150 | $108,449 |
| Kentucky | $97,680 | $46.96 | $60,980 | $130,490 | 630 | $108,342 |
| Virginia | $97,680 | $46.96 | $65,910 | $164,190 | 2,130 | $96,613 |
| Montana | $97,290 | $46.77 | $61,500 | $139,640 | 550 | $102,795 |
| North Dakota | $97,110 | $46.69 | $75,000 | $137,140 | 290 | $109,163 |
| Delaware | $97,030 | $46.65 | $76,780 | $146,490 | 120 | $97,217 |
| Pennsylvania | $97,030 | $46.65 | $61,690 | $149,950 | 3,760 | $99,445 |
| Iowa | $96,810 | $46.54 | $60,760 | $153,330 | 650 | $110,310 |
| West Virginia | $96,470 | $46.38 | $66,240 | $137,190 | 80 | $107,791 |
| Florida | $96,240 | $46.27 | $59,990 | $138,230 | 5,580 | $93,063 |
| Indiana | $96,060 | $46.18 | $50,790 | $221,430 | 1,430 | $102,926 |
| Alabama | $95,990 | $46.15 | $62,980 | $174,870 | 990 | $108,069 |
| North Carolina | $95,700 | $46.01 | $64,730 | $164,270 | 2,980 | $101,457 |
| Utah | $95,590 | $45.96 | $53,250 | $155,980 | 1,520 | $96,688 |
| Ohio | $94,960 | $45.65 | $59,550 | $163,590 | 3,480 | $102,356 |
| Texas | $94,490 | $45.43 | $60,730 | $142,130 | 7,820 | $97,355 |
| Tennessee | $94,030 | $45.21 | $62,930 | $146,290 | 2,570 | $102,351 |
| Idaho | $93,710 | $45.05 | $51,790 | $152,460 | 850 | $98,132 |
| Nebraska | $91,530 | $44.00 | $48,790 | $167,680 | 620 | $101,584 |
| Michigan | $88,430 | $42.51 | $59,850 | $135,520 | 2,630 | $91,907 |
| Kansas | $85,490 | $41.10 | $61,100 | $131,600 | 840 | $94,917 |
| Vermont | $82,400 | $39.62 | $56,990 | $121,530 | 320 | $84,118 |
| Illinois | $81,780 | $39.32 | $59,890 | $130,670 | 5,130 | $81,814 |
| Mississippi | $80,870 | $38.88 | $53,860 | $163,970 | 330 | $93,004 |
| Louisiana | $79,580 | $38.26 | $51,720 | $154,590 | 1,200 | $90,220 |
| Maine | $78,600 | $37.79 | $51,920 | $123,790 | 500 | $80,989 |
| Arkansas | $78,190 | $37.59 | $59,230 | $117,630 | 720 | $89,939 |
| New Mexico | $77,720 | $37.37 | $47,840 | $120,090 | 600 | $84,284 |
After cost of living = median ÷ (BEA price level ÷ 100).
Architect salary by city
Metro areas where BLS publishes architect pay: 230 of 387. Rent share = typical rent (September 2026, Zillow) × 12 ÷ the median salary; under 30% is affordable by the usual rule.
Highest-paying metro areas
- San Jose, CA $129,640
- San Francisco, CA $126,550
- Sacramento, CA $125,980
- Modesto, CA $124,810
- Barnstable, MA $120,460
- Redding, CA $120,060
- San Diego, CA $120,040
- Boston, MA $119,120
- Baltimore, MD $115,960
- Rapid City, SD $115,600
Where the pay goes furthest
- Rapid City, SD $129,655
- Barnstable, MA $122,480
- Appleton, WI $120,094
- Modesto, CA $119,885
- Redding, CA $119,244
- Sacramento, CA $118,103
- Grand Forks, ND $117,836
- San Jose, CA $117,403
- Mobile, AL $117,347
- Glens Falls, NY $117,218
All 230 metro areas
| Metro area | Median a year | Employed | After cost of living | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $129,640 | 660 | $117,403 | 35% |
| San Francisco, CA | $126,550 | 3,780 | $109,460 | 33% |
| Sacramento, CA | $125,980 | 640 | $118,103 | 22% |
| Modesto, CA | $124,810 | 30 | $119,885 | 20% |
| Barnstable, MA | $120,460 | 180 | $122,480 | 26% |
| Redding, CA | $120,060 | 60 | $119,244 | 17% |
| San Diego, CA | $120,040 | 1,280 | $107,287 | 30% |
| Boston, MA | $119,120 | 3,930 | $110,025 | 30% |
| Baltimore, MD | $115,960 | 1,140 | $110,980 | 20% |
| Rapid City, SD | $115,600 | 40 | $129,655 | 15% |
| Amherst-Northampton, MA | $114,880 | 60 | $114,602 | – |
| Glens Falls, NY | $111,200 | 40 | $117,218 | 16% |
| Bakersfield, CA | $111,070 | 100 | $110,095 | 20% |
| Appleton, WI | $110,990 | 40 | $120,094 | 13% |
| Trenton, NJ | $109,140 | 200 | $105,776 | 28% |
| Anchorage, AK | $108,720 | 140 | $103,130 | 21% |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $107,300 | 150 | $99,551 | 30% |
| Salisbury, MD | $106,230 | 40 | $111,099 | 22% |
| Norwich, CT | $106,090 | 40 | $105,620 | 24% |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $105,750 | 40 | $96,227 | 39% |
| Binghamton, NY | $105,600 | 40 | $113,716 | 18% |
| Manchester, NH | $105,540 | 50 | $99,889 | 25% |
| Providence, RI | $105,300 | 690 | $103,466 | 25% |
| Bridgeport, CT | $105,140 | 470 | $98,387 | 33% |
| Reno, NV | $104,990 | 110 | $103,936 | 24% |
| Worcester, MA | $104,970 | – | $102,387 | 24% |
| Sioux Falls, SD | $104,650 | 100 | $115,468 | 15% |
| Boulder, CO | $104,550 | 360 | $99,380 | 25% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $104,170 | 4,870 | $91,726 | 34% |
| Denver, CO | $104,090 | 2,090 | $98,400 | 22% |
| Phoenix, AZ | $103,900 | 1,240 | $100,565 | 20% |
| Santa Maria, CA | $103,820 | 220 | $95,425 | 38% |
| Mobile, AL | $103,380 | 60 | $117,347 | 15% |
| Atlanta, GA | $103,330 | 1,940 | $103,270 | 21% |
| Asheville, NC | $103,100 | 120 | $106,833 | 20% |
| Greenville, SC | $103,090 | 290 | $110,540 | 18% |
| Indianapolis, IN | $103,050 | 780 | $107,685 | 18% |
| Kennewick, WA | $102,890 | 40 | $102,809 | 20% |
| Charleston, SC | $102,880 | 240 | $101,900 | 24% |
| New Haven, CT | $102,880 | 230 | $98,394 | 24% |
| Dayton, OH | $102,550 | 190 | $110,633 | 15% |
| Waterbury, CT | $102,550 | 30 | $102,778 | – |
| Waco, TX | $102,540 | 30 | $110,794 | 17% |
| Oxnard, CA | $102,530 | 140 | $92,759 | 35% |
| Watertown, NY | $102,490 | 30 | $116,878 | 18% |
| Hilton Head Island, SC | $102,160 | 80 | $104,227 | 23% |
| Grand Forks, ND | $102,120 | 50 | $117,836 | 13% |
| Hartford, CT | $102,080 | 370 | $99,352 | 23% |
| Washington, DC | $102,080 | 3,020 | $93,751 | 28% |
| Honolulu, HI | $101,930 | 520 | $91,861 | 35% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $101,880 | 480 | $112,689 | 16% |
| Springfield, MA | $101,860 | 70 | $106,037 | 23% |
| Gulfport, MS | $101,650 | 50 | $112,937 | 17% |
| Stockton, CA | $101,540 | 70 | $96,623 | 29% |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $101,410 | 420 | $103,542 | 22% |
| Minneapolis, MN | $100,960 | 1,950 | $96,316 | 21% |
| Fort Collins, CO | $100,810 | 170 | $99,686 | 23% |
| Louisville, KY | $100,760 | 220 | $108,258 | 16% |
| Seattle, WA | $100,610 | 2,970 | $90,531 | 27% |
| Portland, OR | $100,490 | 1,700 | $95,323 | 22% |
| Riverside, CA | $100,460 | 410 | $94,380 | 30% |
| Crestview, FL | $100,420 | 90 | $103,493 | 24% |
| Fresno, CA | $100,360 | 180 | $98,240 | 25% |
| Columbia, SC | $100,200 | 140 | $106,980 | 19% |
| Nashville, TN | $100,050 | 1,270 | $103,853 | 22% |
| Midland, TX | $99,990 | 30 | $104,392 | 19% |
| Kansas City, MO | $99,920 | 1,250 | $107,971 | 18% |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $99,800 | 90 | $91,900 | 34% |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $99,790 | 1,040 | $98,931 | 20% |
| Tulsa, OK | $99,740 | 350 | $111,799 | 17% |
| New York, NY | $99,710 | 10,240 | $88,582 | 43% |
| Milwaukee, WI | $99,680 | 500 | $102,830 | 19% |
| Salinas, CA | $99,600 | 60 | $91,341 | 33% |
| Savannah, GA | $99,560 | 90 | $104,573 | 21% |
| Omaha, NE | $99,350 | 410 | $108,094 | 17% |
| Las Vegas, NV | $99,320 | 400 | $99,107 | 21% |
| Bozeman, MT | $99,280 | 220 | $96,849 | 27% |
| Jacksonville, FL | $99,230 | 380 | $99,745 | 20% |
| Madison, WI | $99,210 | 310 | $101,977 | 22% |
| Columbus, OH | $99,140 | 960 | $103,845 | 18% |
| Brunswick, GA | $99,050 | 40 | $112,932 | 20% |
| Davenport, IA | $99,030 | 50 | $111,171 | 12% |
| Visalia, CA | $98,890 | 40 | $99,063 | 21% |
| Tucson, AZ | $98,860 | 170 | $102,027 | 18% |
| St. Louis, MO | $98,800 | 880 | $103,904 | 17% |
| Cincinnati, OH | $98,750 | 670 | $103,544 | 18% |
| Charlotte, NC | $98,620 | 1,340 | $101,307 | 21% |
| Durham, NC | $98,620 | 230 | $101,074 | 20% |
| Green Bay, WI | $98,470 | 70 | $105,784 | 14% |
| Albany, NY | $98,350 | 340 | $98,779 | 21% |
| Iowa City, IA | $98,220 | 60 | $107,334 | 21% |
| Philadelphia, PA | $98,140 | 2,330 | $95,696 | 23% |
| Athens, GA | $98,020 | 40 | $105,011 | 22% |
| New Orleans, LA | $97,950 | 420 | $105,781 | 19% |
| Detroit, MI | $97,920 | 1,350 | $97,629 | 19% |
| Rochester, MN | $97,610 | 30 | $107,475 | 20% |
| Springfield, IL | $97,600 | 60 | $105,235 | 15% |
| Houston, TX | $97,590 | 2,360 | $98,947 | 20% |
| Miami, FL | $97,500 | 1,810 | $85,410 | 33% |
| Des Moines, IA | $97,460 | 310 | $106,280 | 16% |
| Reading, PA | $97,330 | 50 | $100,278 | 19% |
| Daphne, AL | $97,110 | 30 | $102,556 | 21% |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $97,080 | 170 | $96,398 | 22% |
| Billings, MT | $96,990 | 90 | $103,704 | 17% |
| Ithaca, NY | $96,920 | 50 | $93,808 | 25% |
| Birmingham, AL | $96,730 | 500 | $105,550 | 17% |
| Kahului, HI | $96,690 | 30 | $88,388 | 40% |
| Austin, TX | $96,600 | 1,120 | $98,505 | 20% |
| Huntsville, AL | $96,500 | 140 | $103,683 | 17% |
| York, PA | $96,250 | 70 | $100,260 | 17% |
| Bismarck, ND | $96,210 | 60 | $105,697 | 16% |
| Orlando, FL | $96,190 | 1,000 | $94,845 | 24% |
| Greensboro, NC | $96,040 | 90 | $103,419 | 18% |
| North Port, FL | $96,040 | 160 | $93,773 | 26% |
| Spokane, WA | $95,910 | 180 | $95,579 | 19% |
| Richmond, VA | $95,860 | 410 | $97,958 | 21% |
| Ames, IA | $95,750 | 30 | $107,790 | 15% |
| Missoula, MT | $95,700 | 60 | $99,228 | 20% |
| Rochester, NY | $95,480 | 230 | $98,397 | 19% |
| Toledo, OH | $95,480 | 150 | $104,401 | 16% |
| Bremerton, WA | $95,350 | 120 | $90,288 | 26% |
| Columbus, GA | $95,140 | 50 | $106,545 | 17% |
| Buffalo, NY | $95,130 | 330 | $99,255 | 18% |
| Fargo, ND | $95,100 | 160 | $104,654 | 14% |
| Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $94,990 | 130 | $86,811 | 29% |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | $94,630 | 50 | $94,415 | 29% |
| Tampa, FL | $94,610 | 880 | $93,775 | 25% |
| Kalamazoo, MI | $94,490 | 170 | $99,631 | 16% |
| Burlington, VT | $94,440 | 140 | $93,552 | 33% |
| Knoxville, TN | $94,310 | 380 | $101,881 | 22% |
| Boise, ID | $94,270 | 560 | $95,812 | 24% |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $94,230 | 60 | $105,920 | 16% |
| Syracuse, NY | $94,170 | 210 | $98,358 | 21% |
| La Crosse, WI | $94,160 | 40 | $102,605 | 17% |
| Palm Bay, FL | $94,150 | 100 | $94,145 | 24% |
| Cape Coral, FL | $94,110 | 150 | $91,950 | 23% |
| Gainesville, FL | $94,050 | 50 | $97,226 | 21% |
| Memphis, TN | $93,970 | 330 | $101,943 | 18% |
| Clarksville, TN | $93,900 | 40 | $103,247 | 17% |
| Dallas, TX | $93,840 | 2,580 | $91,027 | 21% |
| State College, PA | $93,820 | 30 | $96,960 | 25% |
| Olympia, WA | $93,720 | 70 | $90,402 | 26% |
| Wilmington, NC | $93,720 | 80 | $97,198 | 22% |
| Lexington, KY | $93,640 | 270 | $100,808 | 20% |
| Waterloo, IA | $93,620 | 40 | $107,539 | 13% |
| Ocala, FL | $92,400 | 50 | $97,024 | 21% |
| Duluth, MN | $92,370 | 70 | $104,058 | 17% |
| Beaumont, TX | $92,360 | 30 | $102,570 | 17% |
| Bellingham, WA | $92,320 | 30 | $89,341 | 25% |
| Lawrence, KS | $91,860 | 90 | $101,792 | 20% |
| Raleigh, NC | $91,570 | 790 | $93,289 | 22% |
| Lancaster, PA | $91,340 | 150 | $92,960 | 21% |
| Panama City, FL | $91,100 | 40 | $93,632 | 23% |
| Coeur d'Alene, ID | $90,850 | 40 | $92,428 | 24% |
| Pensacola, FL | $90,010 | 120 | $92,113 | 23% |
| Chattanooga, TN | $89,820 | 150 | $98,203 | 20% |
| Amarillo, TX | $88,810 | 50 | $96,722 | 18% |
| Tyler, TX | $87,970 | 50 | $95,458 | 18% |
| Dubuque, IA | $87,890 | 40 | $100,644 | 15% |
| Lubbock, TX | $87,700 | 70 | $96,039 | 18% |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $87,490 | 200 | $86,727 | 26% |
| Bloomington, IN | $86,900 | 30 | $91,393 | 24% |
| Slidell, LA | $85,770 | 60 | $92,498 | – |
| Sebastian, FL | $84,990 | 50 | $86,453 | 30% |
| Ogden, UT | $84,970 | 140 | $84,674 | 23% |
| Charlottesville, VA | $84,650 | 170 | $85,379 | 29% |
| Allentown, PA | $84,370 | 140 | $84,397 | 26% |
| San Antonio, TX | $84,130 | 670 | $88,823 | 20% |
| Idaho Falls, ID | $84,110 | 40 | $89,088 | 20% |
| Santa Fe, NM | $83,870 | 90 | $84,917 | 28% |
| Helena, MT | $83,670 | 50 | $87,452 | 24% |
| Cleveland, OH | $83,620 | 860 | $89,030 | 21% |
| Naples, FL | $83,470 | 140 | $80,882 | 37% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $83,460 | 830 | $88,158 | 21% |
| Evansville, IN | $83,000 | 80 | $90,683 | 16% |
| Eugene, OR | $82,900 | 90 | $81,620 | 26% |
| Provo, UT | $82,890 | 160 | $84,382 | 26% |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $82,540 | 60 | $89,068 | 21% |
| Roanoke, VA | $82,530 | 50 | $88,156 | 20% |
| St. George, UT | $82,460 | 60 | $84,730 | 27% |
| Columbia, MO | $82,430 | 60 | $92,164 | 21% |
| South Bend, IN | $82,300 | 100 | $88,630 | 18% |
| Bloomington, IL | $82,250 | 50 | $87,933 | 19% |
| College Station, TX | $82,180 | 60 | $90,356 | 22% |
| Salem, OR | $82,030 | 60 | $79,142 | 24% |
| Harrisburg, PA | $81,940 | 140 | $83,061 | 22% |
| Chicago, IL | $81,790 | 4,460 | $78,952 | 32% |
| Grand Rapids, MI | $81,660 | 410 | $85,467 | 24% |
| Jackson, TN | $81,510 | 30 | $95,309 | 21% |
| Youngstown, OH | $81,470 | 50 | $93,222 | 15% |
| Shreveport, LA | $81,450 | 70 | $96,088 | 19% |
| Kingsport, TN | $81,420 | 50 | $94,185 | 20% |
| Erie, PA | $81,270 | 40 | $89,357 | 17% |
| Lincoln, NE | $81,190 | 130 | $88,654 | 19% |
| Champaign, IL | $81,110 | 80 | $87,494 | 20% |
| Rockford, IL | $81,010 | 50 | $87,907 | 19% |
| Jackson, MS | $81,000 | 130 | $90,962 | 22% |
| Scranton, PA | $80,870 | 130 | $86,440 | 20% |
| Flint, MI | $80,270 | 30 | $86,280 | 16% |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $80,260 | 70 | $87,198 | 23% |
| Laredo, TX | $80,210 | 40 | $92,242 | 17% |
| Montgomery, AL | $80,060 | 150 | $89,271 | 21% |
| Bend, OR | $79,990 | 90 | $77,205 | 33% |
| Fort Smith, AR | $79,960 | 40 | $93,098 | 16% |
| El Paso, TX | $79,850 | 110 | $88,809 | 23% |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $79,750 | 170 | $86,149 | 19% |
| Akron, OH | $79,640 | 270 | $85,295 | 20% |
| Peoria, IL | $79,580 | 60 | $87,229 | 17% |
| Topeka, KS | $79,400 | 80 | $89,394 | 19% |
| Wichita, KS | $79,180 | 220 | $89,020 | 18% |
| Grand Junction, CO | $78,850 | 50 | $82,586 | 26% |
| Portland, ME | $78,830 | 360 | $77,392 | 35% |
| Fayetteville, AR | $78,740 | 330 | $86,193 | 24% |
| Deltona, FL | $78,660 | 50 | $79,161 | 27% |
| McAllen, TX | $78,250 | 60 | $91,100 | 17% |
| Manhattan, KS | $77,940 | 50 | $86,444 | 19% |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $77,810 | 340 | $85,713 | 21% |
| Lansing, MI | $77,620 | 80 | $81,713 | 20% |
| Springfield, MO | $77,360 | 150 | $87,329 | 19% |
| Medford, OR | $77,200 | 50 | $76,109 | 29% |
| Traverse City, MI | $76,840 | 40 | $82,294 | 29% |
| Albuquerque, NM | $76,520 | 410 | $80,087 | 23% |
| Canton, OH | $76,500 | 50 | $85,565 | 18% |
| Little Rock, AR | $75,600 | 230 | $84,598 | 20% |
| Tallahassee, FL | $74,960 | 90 | $79,813 | 24% |
| Bangor, ME | $74,130 | 40 | $76,812 | 24% |
| Blacksburg, VA | $73,710 | 30 | $79,506 | 27% |
| Monroe, LA | $73,320 | 30 | $87,706 | 19% |
| Lafayette, LA | $73,160 | 110 | $83,890 | 23% |
| Saginaw, MI | $70,820 | 40 | $77,918 | 18% |
What the median architect salary pays per paycheck
| Period | Before taxes |
|---|---|
| Year | $99,280 |
| Month | $8,273 |
| Every two weeks | $3,818 |
| Week | $1,909 |
| Hour | $47.73 |
Gross pay, 52 weeks a year, 2,080 hours. Hourly to salary calculator.
Becoming an architect: education and job outlook
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree |
|---|---|
| Work experience needed | None |
| On-the-job training | Internship/residency |
| Projected change in jobs, 2025–35 | +4.3% (all jobs: +3.5%) |
| Openings a year (average) | 6,900 |
| Self-employed | 14% |
official BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35. Openings include workers who retire or change jobs. What the work involves: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Similar jobs
| Job | Median a year | Typical education |
|---|---|---|
| Civil engineer | $100,840 | Bachelor's degree |
| Electrical engineer | $120,630 | Bachelor's degree |
| Chemical engineer | $125,040 | Bachelor's degree |
| Computer hardware engineer | $161,740 | Bachelor's degree |
| Aerospace engineer | $134,960 | Bachelor's degree |
| Petroleum engineer | $144,910 | Bachelor's degree |
| Mechanical engineer | $104,110 | Bachelor's degree |
| Surveyor | $75,440 | Bachelor's degree |
Questions about architect pay
How much does an architect make an hour?
The median is $47.73 an hour. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $29.95 and the top 10% over $77.61.
How much does an architect make a month?
About $8,273 a month before taxes at the median salary of $99,280, or $3,818 every two weeks.
What state pays architects the most?
Wyoming, with a median of $120,580. Massachusetts ($117,330), Maryland ($114,550), Alaska ($108,730) and California ($108,540) follow.
Where do architects make the most after cost of living?
Wyoming: its median of $120,580 is worth $130,088 at typical US prices. South Dakota, Oklahoma and Massachusetts come next.
How much do entry-level architects make?
BLS does not report pay by experience. The lowest-paid 10% of architects earn under $62,300 a year, and the lowest-paid quarter under $77,960, which is a reasonable guide to starting pay.
What education do you need to become an architect?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as a bachelor's degree. Work experience in a related job: none. On-the-job training: internship/residency.
Sources and limits
- Pay and employment: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation 17-1011 (Architects, Except Landscape and Naval). Downloaded 2026-10-24.
- OEWS counts wage and salary workers at employers, including tips and commissions but not overtime pay, bonuses that are not tied to production, or benefits. It leaves out the self-employed. BLS does not publish figures above $239,200 a year or for states and metro areas with too few workers.
- Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (US = 100). Rents: Zillow Observed Rent Index, September 2026; Data Provided by Zillow Group.
- Outlook and education: BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35.
- Pay is not broken down by experience, employer or specialty (for example, ER or pediatric nursing); BLS does not publish those splits.