How much does an architects make?

The median architects salary in the United States is $99,280 per year ($47.73/hour). Salaries range from $62,300 (10th percentile) to $161,420 (90th percentile). There are 106,770 architects jobs in the U.S. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS.

Which state pays architectss the most?

The highest paying state for architectss is Wyoming at $120,580 median salary.

Is architects a good career?

Architects employment is projected to grow 3.9% from 2024 to 2034 (as fast as average). There are approximately 7,800 job openings per year. Typical education required: Bachelor's degree.

What interview questions are asked for architects roles?

Common architects interview questions include: "Walk me through a project from schematic to CDs.", "How do you handle a client demanding changes late in DD?", "Talk about a code challenge you solved.". Interview format at top employers ranges from behavioral panels (STAR method) to technical case rounds — for example Large corporate (Gensler + HOK + Perkins&Will + Stantec + HKS + AECOM) typically uses 3-4 rounds.

What is the career ladder for architectss?

The typical architects career ladder: Architectural Designer / Intern Architect (0-3 yrs, $52-72k) → Job Captain / Project Architect (3-8 yrs, $72-105k) → Senior Architect / Associate (8-15 yrs, $110-165k + bonus) → Principal / Partner (15+ yrs, $180-350k + profit share).

What certifications should architectss get?

Top-ROI certifications for architectss: Architect License (state) ($1,470 ARE + $500-1,500 state license); NCARB Certificate ($1,300 + $85/year); LEED AP BD+C ($400 + prep materials).

How do you negotiate a architects salary?

Anchor on documented market data (BLS median $99,280, p75 $126,550), specific outcomes you've delivered, and the specific band for your years of experience. Thanks for the offer. With my architect license + LEED AP BD+C + 6 years leading healthcare CDs, market for a Project Architect at my level is $95-115k in this metro. Could we get to $105k base with $5k sign-on? I can s...

Architects Salary

Bureau of Labor Statistics title: Architects, Except Landscape and Naval

The median architects salary in the United States is $99,280 per year ($47.73/hour). Salaries range from $62,300 at the entry level to $161,420+ for the top 10% of earners. There are 106,770 architects jobs nationwide. Employment is projected to grow 3.9% through 2034.

Last updated: June 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Also known asArchitect

Median Salary

$99,280

per year

Hourly Rate

$47.73

per hour

Employment

106,770

jobs in the U.S.

Salary Distribution

10th percentile

$62,300

25th percentile

$77,960

Median

$99,280

75th percentile

$126,550

90th percentile

$161,420

Job Growth (2024-2034)

+3.9%

As fast as average

Annual Openings

7,800

jobs/year (growth + replacements)

Education Required

Bachelor's degree

Training Needed

Internship/residency

Architects Career Guide

Interview questions, resume templates, and a career ladder written specifically for architectss.

Architects design buildings and lead the process from concept through construction. The path is long — B.Arch/M.Arch, 3+ years of AXP hours, and passing all 6 ARE 5.0 divisions — but licensure unlocks stamping authority, principal partnership, and $150-300k+ trajectories. Firm work vs starting your own practice is the biggest fork.

Core Skills Hiring Managers Screen For

Design + concept development

Program a client brief into schematic + design development + construction docs. Site, code, and cost-conscious.

Revit + BIM 360

Model buildings in Revit + coordinate with structural + MEP consultants. AutoCAD legacy + Rhino/Grasshopper for parametric.

Building codes + accessibility

IBC + ADA + local amendments + zoning. Egress + fire + occupancy load calculations.

Construction documents

Produce complete CD sets: plans + sections + elevations + details + specs. Own coordination with consultants.

Client + consultant management

Run design meetings + present to clients + coordinate structural/MEP/civil consultants.

Construction administration

RFIs + submittals + change orders + site visits during construction. Read RFPs and negotiate contracts.

Rendering + presentation

Enscape + Lumion + V-Ray + Photoshop. InDesign for pitch decks + boards.

How to Become a Architects

1
Get an accredited degree
5-year B.Arch or 4+2 M.Arch from NAAB-accredited school. Non-accredited undergrad requires a 3-year M.Arch.
2
Log AXP hours
3,740 experience hours across 6 areas via NCARB. Roughly 3 years of full-time work at a licensed firm.
3
Pass ARE 5.0
6 divisions ($245 each = $1,470 total). Most take 1-3 years to pass all divisions while working.
4
Get licensed + registered
Apply for state license after AXP + ARE + degree. Some states allow reciprocity via NCARB certificate ($1,300).
5
Pursue LEED AP + specialty
LEED AP BD+C + WELL AP + Living Building Challenge + Passive House. Healthcare/education/multifamily specialty pays more.

Career Progression

Architectural Designer / Intern Architect

0-3 yrs$52-72k

•Draft in Revit
•Log AXP hours
•Do redlines + code research
•Support senior architects

Next: Job Captain after ARE + license.

Job Captain / Project Architect

3-8 yrs$72-105k

•Own CDs on a project
•Coordinate consultants
•Manage construction admin
•Lead junior staff

Next: Senior/Associate at 8-12 years + PM skills.

Senior Architect / Associate

8-15 yrs$110-165k + bonus

•Lead multiple projects
•Run BD + client relationships
•Mentor + hire
•Sign/stamp drawings

Next: Principal or start own practice at 15+.

Principal / Partner

15+ yrs$180-350k + profit share

•Firm strategy + BD
•Sign + seal all drawings
•P&L + hiring
•Signature projects

Next: Managing Principal / firm owner.

Interview Questions & Answers

5 free questions below. Career Kit unlocks 15 total plus resume bullets for every level.

Q1. Walk me through a project from schematic to CDs.technical

Chronological: brief + site + program + schematic options + DD refinement + code + consultant coordination + CD set + permit + CA. Show design choices tied to client goals + budget.

Q2. How do you handle a client demanding changes late in DD?situational

Assess scope impact + document with change order + explain budget/schedule tradeoffs + get sign-off. Never absorb scope silently.

Q3. Talk about a code challenge you solved.technical

Specific: e.g., mixed-occupancy egress or accessibility on a historic reno. Show research + jurisdiction call + creative code interpretation + final approval.

Q4. How do you coordinate with structural + MEP?behavioral

Weekly BIM 360 clash detection + coordination meetings + document RFI answers + track resolutions in Bluebeam.

Q5. Where do you see your career in 5 years?closer

PM/PA leading own projects + working toward Associate + specific project types I want to develop expertise in.

Resume Template — Architectural Designer (0-3 yrs)

Copy these bullets into your resume as a starting point. Career Kit includes bullets for every level of the ladder.

Architectural Designer (0-3 yrs)

▸Produced CD sets for $2.5M mixed-use project — 60 sheets — coordinating with structural + MEP consultants via Revit + BIM 360.
▸Passed 4 of 6 ARE 5.0 divisions while logging 2,800+ AXP hours across all 6 experience areas.
▸Resolved 45+ RFIs during CA phase for $8M K-12 renovation — tracked in Bluebeam + closed all within 5 business days.
▸Modeled + rendered schematic options in Revit + Enscape used to win $12M competition-style commission.

What Gets You Rejected

✗No portfolio — architecture hiring is portfolio-first, always.
✗Cant produce complete CDs unsupervised at PA level.
✗No AXP progress after 3 years of work.
✗Weak Revit + poor BIM standards knowledge.
✗Cant articulate design concepts — design theory + verbal skills matter.

Salary Negotiation Levers

✓Licensed vs unlicensed = $10-25k premium.
✓LEED AP + specialty certifications = $5-15k.
✓Signature project types (healthcare + high-rise + institutional) = $15-30k.
✓PM/PA experience = major jump to Associate track.
✓BIM leadership + firm systems work = negotiation on top of design skills.
✓Metro: NYC/SF/LA firms pay 20-35% premium.
✓Sign-on: $5-15k common for licensed + PA-level.

Architects Resume Review — $29

Personalized resume review from someone who has hired architectss. Purchase, email your resume to support@weblabra.com, and receive detailed written feedback within 7 days.

✓ Occupation-specific critique (not generic)
✓ Rewrite suggestions for weak bullets
✓ Missing skills / keywords flagged
✓ Formatting + ATS-readability feedback
✓ 7-day turnaround, 100% refund if we miss it

Architects Career Kit — $19

✓ All 15 interview questions with expert answers
✓ 8 real questions aggregated from Glassdoor, Blind, Reddit, LinkedIn
✓ Interview format intel for 6 top employers
✓ 3 copy-paste salary negotiation emails
✓ Resume bullets for every level of the career ladder
✓ 30–60–90 day plan for your first role
✓ Cover letter templates specific to this occupation
✓ Detailed salary negotiation script
✓ Ranked list of certifications with cost + ROI
✓ Downloadable PDF for offline access
✓ Instant access, no expiration, no subscription

✓ 7-day money-back guarantee — no questions asked

One-time purchase. 7-day refund guarantee.

Sample reviews — real customer reviews will appear here as they come in.

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— Anonymous, Financial Analyst

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Architects Salary by State

Best Cities (cost-adjusted) →

Salary Map — Click a state for details

$78K

$121K■ No data

Top Paying States

Vertical line = national median. Click a state for full details.

State	Median	vs. National	Employment
Wyoming	$120,580	+21.5%	130
Massachusetts	$117,330	+18.2%	4,590
Maryland	$114,550	+15.4%	1,800
Alaska	$108,730	+9.5%	210
California	$108,540	+9.3%	13,270
Rhode Island	$105,160	+5.9%	550
Connecticut	$103,540	+4.3%	1,200
South Dakota	$102,500	+3.2%	180
Colorado	$102,400	+3.1%	3,290
Hawaii	$102,340	+3.1%	600

Showing 1–10 of 51

Architects Salary by Metro Area

Metro Area	Median	vs. National
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA	$129,640	+30.6%
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	$126,550	+27.5%
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA	$125,980	+26.9%
Modesto, CA	$124,810	+25.7%
Barnstable Town, MA	$120,460	+21.3%
Redding, CA	$120,060	+20.9%
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA	$120,040	+20.9%
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH	$119,120	+20.0%
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD	$115,960	+16.8%
Rapid City, SD	$115,600	+16.4%

Showing 1–10 of 233

Data Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Data reflects the most recent annual survey.

How does this compare to pro athletes?

A architects earning $99,280/year would need 600 years to match Stephen Curry's NBA salary, or 645 yearsto match Patrick Mahomes' NFL contract.

See all sports & celebrity salaries →

📈 See how architects salaries have changed over the past decade.

View Architects salary trend (2011–2024) →