What is the Salary for an Architect?

Architecture is a unique blend of the creative and the practical. An architect cannot be so caught up in an elaborate design concept that he or she designs a building that would be unsafe or impossible to build! Since most architects are commissioned by clients for a specific project, in addition to safety concerns, architects must also keep in mind the client's budgetary and aesthetic requirements. Seasoned architects are well-versed in their area's building codes and permit laws, as well as the fine art of handling construction snafus with grace and creative energy. Drafting a blueprint is sort of like writing a sonnet: there are strict rules to be adhered to, but within those rules is room for almost infinite innovation. Does the salary for an architect reflect this careful balance of creativity and responsibility? While an architect salary may not be as high as, say, a doctor salary, consider that architects are, at heart, artists. Research the salary for an architect and you'll see that here is a case where the term "starving artist" need not apply.

Architect Salary Survey Data

Many aspiring architects would like to know exactly how much they can expect to earn with an architect salary. However, as with the large majority of careers, an architect's salary can't be directly traced to one deciding factor. Like lawyers, architects are often part of a firm, and architect salary ranges will vary in different firms. Architectural firms can consist of just a few people, or have thousands of employees in branches all over the the world. This means that architects have a lot of options when it comes to finding their ideal work environment. It also has an impact on the average architect salary. Researching Architect Salaries by Company Size shows that larger architectural firms tend to offer higher architect salaries; the salary for an architect working at a firm with 50,000 or more employees is by far the highest. Take a look at the Architect Salary by Employer Name chart to compare the median architect salaries of different employers.

Architect Salaries by Location

Cost of living variations mean that location is usually going to affect salary, and the salary for an architect is no exception. PayScale's architect salary survey data shows that the Golden State offers the highest architect salary; California is number one on the Architect Salary by State chart, and San Francisco and Los Angeles win for the highest Average Architect Salary by City. Of course, these to cities also have a higher cost of living than many other areas. Use Paycale's cost of living calculator to research both Cost of Living and Architect Salary Data for San Francisco, Los Angeles and other U.S. cities.

Beyond Architect Salaries

The salary for an architect will vary depending on career path, and researching architect salary survey data can help you make smart decisions about your architect career. But when it comes to the day-to-day experience of being an architect, turn to a pro like Stephen Jones. This top architect is the mind behind Beverly Hills' Spago restaurant and is a gold mine of first-hand information on architect salaries and the life of an architect. Read his story in "Salary for an Architect," in the Salary Stories blog.