How much does a architect make?
The median architect in the United States earns $99,280 per year, about $47.73 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all architects earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 17-1011.
Architect salary range
Pay for architects spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $62,300 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $161,420. The average (mean) wage of $106,260 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $62,300 | $29.95 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $77,960 | $37.48 | |
| Median (50th) | $99,280 | $47.73 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $126,550 | $60.84 | |
| 90th percentile | $161,420 | $77.61 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for architects, except landscape and naval (SOC 17-1011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Architect salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Architects earn the most in Wyoming at $120,580 a year, and the least in New Mexico at $77,720. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Wyoming | $120,580 | 130 |
| Massachusetts | $117,330 | 4,590 |
| Maryland | $114,550 | 1,800 |
| Alaska | $108,730 | 210 |
| California | $108,540 | 13,270 |
| Rhode Island | $105,160 | 550 |
| Connecticut | $103,540 | 1,200 |
| South Dakota | $102,500 | 180 |
| Colorado | $102,400 | 3,290 |
| Hawaii | $102,340 | 600 |
| District of Columbia | $102,040 | 1,700 |
| Arizona | $102,000 | 1,550 |
| Nevada | $101,570 | 530 |
| South Carolina | $101,550 | 1,030 |
| New Hampshire | $101,100 | 250 |
| Georgia | $100,420 | 2,440 |
| Oklahoma | $100,350 | 910 |
| Washington | $100,190 | 3,720 |
| Minnesota | $99,940 | 2,340 |
| New Jersey | $99,800 | 2,390 |
| New York | $99,280 | 10,360 |
| Oregon | $98,800 | 2,050 |
| Wisconsin | $98,510 | 1,230 |
| Missouri | $98,490 | 2,150 |
| Kentucky | $97,680 | 630 |
| Virginia | $97,680 | 2,130 |
| Montana | $97,290 | 550 |
| North Dakota | $97,110 | 290 |
| Delaware | $97,030 | 120 |
| Pennsylvania | $97,030 | 3,760 |
| Iowa | $96,810 | 650 |
| West Virginia | $96,470 | 80 |
| Florida | $96,240 | 5,580 |
| Indiana | $96,060 | 1,430 |
| Alabama | $95,990 | 990 |
| North Carolina | $95,700 | 2,980 |
| Utah | $95,590 | 1,520 |
| Ohio | $94,960 | 3,480 |
| Texas | $94,490 | 7,820 |
| Tennessee | $94,030 | 2,570 |
| Idaho | $93,710 | 850 |
| Nebraska | $91,530 | 620 |
| Michigan | $88,430 | 2,630 |
| Kansas | $85,490 | 840 |
| Vermont | $82,400 | 320 |
| Illinois | $81,780 | 5,130 |
| Mississippi | $80,870 | 330 |
| Louisiana | $79,580 | 1,200 |
| Maine | $78,600 | 500 |
| Arkansas | $78,190 | 720 |
| New Mexico | $77,720 | 600 |
State median wages for architects, except landscape and naval (SOC 17-1011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for architects
The BLS projects employment of architects to grow 4.3% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 124,600 jobs in 2025 moving toward 129,900 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 6,900 openings a year for architects. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become an architect
The typical entry-level education for architects is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete an internship or residency to reach full competency.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much an architect earns
Discipline, licensure (such as a PE license), industry, and region drive pay. Senior, licensed engineers in high demand fields and expensive metros earn near the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Wyoming, $120,580) and the lowest (New Mexico, $77,720) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 106,770 people work as architects in the United States. At $99,280 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Architect salary FAQ
How much does an architect make an hour?
The median hourly wage for an architect is $47.73. The middle half of architects earn between $37.48 and $60.84 per hour.
What is the highest architect salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of architects earn more than $161,420 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does an architect make a year?
The median annual salary for an architect is $99,280. The average (mean) wage of $106,260 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being an architect a well paid job?
At $99,280 a year, an architect earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 106,770 people work as architects in the United States.
Which state pays architects the most?
Wyoming has the highest median salary for architects at $120,580 a year. Massachusetts ($117,330) and Maryland ($114,550) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being an architect a good career?
Employment of architects is projected to grow 4.3% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 6,900 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become an architect?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for architects as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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