What are the main factors that influence an Architectural Design Director's salary?

The primary factors are: 1) Experience Level, 2) Geographic Location, 3) Education/Skills, 4) Company Size & Industry

What industry pays the highest salary for Architectural Design Director?

The Energy & Utilities industry offers the highest average compensation for Architectural Design Director roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

How does experience change An Architectural Design Director's salary?

An Architectural Design Director's salary grows with experience: starting around $103,830 for beginners, reaching about $101,009 at mid-level, and approach $164,808 for experts.

What are the highest paying states for an Architectural Design Director?

Architectural Design Director salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for Architectural Design Director roles are District of Columbia $196,867, California $196,120, Massachusetts $193,506. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of Architectural Design Director roles make?

Salaries for Architectural Design Director level roles vary by specialization: Architectural Studio Director: $173,774; Assistant Manager, Architectural Design: $141,907; Architectural Design Manager: $118,636; Architectural Design Sales Representative: $97,959; Architectural Design Engineer: $94,997.

Architectural Design Director Salary in Montana

How much does an Architectural Design Director make in Montana? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Architectural Design Director in Montana is $167,867 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $81.

However, an Architectural Design Director's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

Top Earners (90th percentile): $195,915
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $154,505 to $182,548
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $142,340

10% $142,340

50% (Median) $167,867

90% $195,915

Architectural Design Director Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$182,548	$15,212	$3,511	$88
Average	$167,867	$13,989	$3,228	$81
25th Percentile	$154,505	$12,875	$2,971	$74

Salary Factors Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

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Architectural Design Manager

CenterCal Properties – COSTA MESA, CA

Lead Architectural Designer

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TeamBradley, Inc. – FREMONT, CA

Key Factors That Influence Architectural Design Director Salaries

An Architectural Design Director's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Architectural Design Director Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Architectural Design Director's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $103,830
Early Career (1-2 years): $122,117
Mid-Level (2-4 years): $101,009
Senior-Level (5-8 years): $133,429
Expert (over 8 years): $164,808

Job Role	Years of Experience	Average Salary
Architect IV	less than 1 year	$103,830
Architect V	1-2 years	$122,117
Architect Supervisor	2-4 years	$101,009
Architect Manager	5-8 years	$133,429
Architectural Design Director	over 8 years	$164,808

How Do Architectural Design Director Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Architectural Design Directors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

District of Columbia: $196,867.
California: $196,120.
Massachusetts: $193,506.

District of Columbia $196,867 California $196,120 Massachusetts $193,506 Washington $192,795 New Jersey $192,724 Alaska $192,475 Connecticut $190,021 New York $189,026

Hawaii $185,843 Rhode Island $184,349 Maryland $183,336 Minnesota $181,949 Colorado $181,415 Illinois $181,238 Oregon $180,562 Delaware $180,064

New Hampshire $179,751 Virginia $179,051 Pennsylvania $177,006 Nevada $175,975 North Dakota $175,637 Michigan $175,103 Wisconsin $174,908 Vermont $174,517

Texas $173,432 Maine $173,361 Arizona $173,254 Ohio $173,130 Georgia $171,494 Indiana $170,676 Wyoming $170,516 Utah $170,267

Iowa $170,160 Kansas $169,307 Louisiana $169,058 North Carolina $168,969 Missouri $168,933 Florida $168,240 Montana $167,867 Nebraska $167,511

Kentucky $167,315 South Carolina $166,604 Tennessee $166,160 Idaho $165,982 New Mexico $164,684 Oklahoma $164,399 Alabama $163,350 South Dakota $161,590

Arkansas $160,630 West Virginia $160,114 Mississippi $158,567

Top Paying Cities for Architectural Design Director

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

Absarokee: $166,844
Acton: $170,884
Ashland: $166,716

Absarokee, MT $166,844

Acton, MT $170,884

Ashland, MT $166,716

Ballantine, MT $170,623

Bearcreek, MT $166,821

Belfry, MT $166,990

Bighorn, MT $166,442

Big Timber, MT $166,706

Birney, MT $166,599

Boyd, MT $168,347

Bridger, MT $167,694

Broadview, MT $169,938

Busby, MT $166,787

Clyde Park, MT $166,736

Columbus, MT $168,107

Cooke City, MT $166,410

Crow Agency, MT $166,930

Custer, MT $166,974

Decker, MT $166,757

Edgar, MT $170,249

Emigrant, MT $166,722

Fishtail, MT $166,579

Fromberg, MT $169,577

Gardiner, MT $166,727

Garryowen, MT $166,864

Grass Range, MT $166,554

Greycliff, MT $166,716

Hardin, MT $168,316

Fort Smith, MT $167,794

Harlowton, MT $166,647

Huntley, MT $171,464

Hysham, MT $166,528

Ingomar, MT $166,211

Joliet, MT $169,597

Lame Deer, MT $166,885

Laurel, MT $171,414

Lavina, MT $167,113

Livingston, MT $166,921

Lodge Grass, MT $166,958

Mc Leod, MT $166,357

Martinsdale, MT $166,466

Melstone, MT $166,528

Melville, MT $166,402

Molt, MT $170,404

Mosby, MT $166,298

Musselshell, MT $166,471

Nye, MT $166,560

Otter, MT $166,720

Park City, MT $170,237

Pompeys Pillar, MT $169,563

Pray, MT $166,636

Pryor, MT $169,659

Rapelje, MT $167,698

Red Lodge, MT $166,857

Reed Point, MT $166,649

Roberts, MT $167,561

Roscoe, MT $166,526

Roundup, MT $166,842

Ryegate, MT $166,498

Saint Xavier, MT $167,643

Sanders, MT $166,730

Sand Springs, MT $166,316

Shawmut, MT $166,444

Shepherd, MT $170,713

Silver Gate, MT $166,858

Springdale, MT $166,611

Sumatra, MT $166,316

Teigen, MT $166,558

Two Dot, MT $166,426

Wilsall, MT $166,574

Winnett, MT $166,439

Worden, MT $169,353

Wyola, MT $167,031

Billings, MT $171,613

Baker, MT $167,296

Wolf Point, MT $166,723

Antelope, MT $166,926

Bainville, MT $167,500

Brockton, MT $166,640

Brockway, MT $166,409

Circle, MT $166,535

Crane, MT $167,616

Culbertson, MT $167,006

Dagmar, MT $167,084

Fairview, MT $167,570

Flaxville, MT $166,510

Fort Peck, MT $166,430

Frazer, MT $166,622

Froid, MT $166,782

Glasgow, MT $166,711

Saint Marie, MT $167,419

Glentana, MT $166,432

Hinsdale, MT $166,394

Homestead, MT $166,782

Lambert, MT $166,681

Larslan, MT $166,407

Medicine Lake, MT $166,759

Nashua, MT $166,624

Opheim, MT $166,382

Outlook, MT $166,633

Peerless, MT $166,414

Plentywood, MT $166,896

Poplar, MT $166,754

Raymond, MT $166,771

Redstone, MT $166,419

Reserve, MT $166,583

Richey, MT $166,487

Richland, MT $166,394

Saco, MT $166,490

Savage, MT $166,983

Scobey, MT $166,640

Sidney, MT $167,611

Vandalia, MT $166,473

Vida, MT $166,526

Westby, MT $167,052

Whitetail, MT $166,391

Miles City, MT $166,738

Alzada, MT $166,594

Angela, MT $166,293

Alberton, MT $166,540

Arlee, MT $166,602

Bonner, MT $166,547

Charlo, MT $166,650

Clinton, MT $166,659

Condon, MT $166,361

Conner, MT $166,690

Corvallis, MT $166,910

Darby, MT $166,370

De Borgia, MT $166,025

Dixon, MT $166,503

Drummond, MT $166,594

Florence, MT $166,871

Frenchtown, MT $166,803

Grantsdale, MT $166,821

Hall, MT $166,560

Hamilton, MT $166,825

Pinesdale, MT $167,207

Haugan, MT $165,985

Helmville, MT $166,234

Heron, MT $166,048

Hot Springs, MT $166,350

Huson, MT $166,583

Lolo, MT $166,771

Lonepine, MT $166,410

Milltown, MT $167,193

Noxon, MT $165,980

Ovando, MT $166,217

Pablo, MT $167,246

Paradise, MT $166,599

Philipsburg, MT $166,560

Plains, MT $166,466

Polson, MT $166,727

Ravalli, MT $166,620

Ronan, MT $166,748

Saint Ignatius, MT $166,707

Saint Regis, MT $166,352

Saltese, MT $165,918

Seeley Lake, MT $166,640

Stevensville, MT $166,905

Sula, MT $166,311

Superior, MT $166,473

Thompson Falls, MT $166,236

Trout Creek, MT $166,081

Victor, MT $166,802

Kalispell, MT $166,871

Big Arm, MT $166,650

Bigfork, MT $166,643

Columbia Falls, MT $166,855

Coram, MT $166,640

Dayton, MT $166,674

Elmo, MT $166,478

Essex, MT $166,370

Eureka, MT $166,690

Fortine, MT $166,526

Hungry Horse, MT $167,047

Kila, MT $166,508

Lake Mc Donald, MT $166,659

Lakeside, MT $166,782

Libby, MT $166,439

Marion, MT $166,416

Martin City, MT $166,777

Olney, MT $166,391

Polebridge, MT $166,099

Proctor, MT $166,430

Rexford, MT $166,554

Rollins, MT $166,531

Somers, MT $166,761

Stryker, MT $166,361

Trego, MT $166,485

Troy, MT $165,980

West Glacier, MT $166,151

Whitefish, MT $166,771

Bloomfield, MT $166,578

Boyes, MT $166,631

Broadus, MT $166,681

Brusett, MT $166,414

Capitol, MT $166,282

Cohagen, MT $166,352

Colstrip, MT $167,029

Ekalaka, MT $166,642

Fallon, MT $166,818

Forsyth, MT $166,597

Glendive, MT $167,148

Hammond, MT $166,526

Hathaway, MT $166,711

Ismay, MT $166,578

Jordan, MT $166,450

Kinsey, MT $166,649

Lindsay, MT $166,439

Mildred, MT $166,816

Olive, MT $166,473

Plevna, MT $166,960

Powderville, MT $166,309

Rosebud, MT $166,391

Terry, MT $166,501

Volborg, MT $166,394

Wibaux, MT $167,083

Willard, MT $167,015

Great Falls, MT $159,545

Malmstrom A F B, MT $159,545

Augusta, MT $166,387

Babb, MT $166,448

Belt, MT $161,503

Black Eagle, MT $159,545

Brady, MT $164,807

Browning, MT $166,672

Buffalo, MT $166,544

Bynum, MT $166,522

Carter, MT $162,316

Cascade, MT $164,559

Choteau, MT $166,526

Coffee Creek, MT $166,538

Conrad, MT $166,677

Cut Bank, MT $166,565

Denton, MT $166,499

Dupuyer, MT $166,370

Dutton, MT $162,920

East Glacier Park, MT $166,298

Ethridge, MT $166,350

Fairfield, MT $165,212

Floweree, MT $159,880

Forest Grove, MT $166,474

Fort Benton, MT $165,328

Fort Shaw, MT $161,729

Galata, MT $166,394

Geraldine, MT $166,466

Geyser, MT $165,267

Heart Butte, MT $166,668

Highwood, MT $161,734

Hilger, MT $166,540

Hobson, MT $166,563

Judith Gap, MT $166,531

Kevin, MT $166,503

Ledger, MT $166,430

Lewistown, MT $166,834

Loma, MT $166,464

Lothair, MT $166,450

Moccasin, MT $166,574

Monarch, MT $164,730

Moore, MT $166,665

Neihart, MT $165,959

Oilmont, MT $166,418

Pendroy, MT $166,370

Power, MT $161,103

Raynesford, MT $164,538

Roy, MT $166,387

Sand Coulee, MT $159,545

Shelby, MT $166,681

Simms, MT $162,988

Stanford, MT $166,554

Stockett, MT $161,188

Sunburst, MT $166,563

Sun River, MT $160,891

Sweet Grass, MT $166,460

Biddle, MT $166,739

Ulm, MT $159,622

Valier, MT $166,538

Vaughn, MT $160,205

Winifred, MT $166,480

Havre, MT $166,794

Big Sandy, MT $166,514

Box Elder, MT $166,844

Chester, MT $166,537

Chinook, MT $166,567

Dodson, MT $166,505

Gildford, MT $166,476

Harlem, MT $166,706

Hays, MT $166,773

Hingham, MT $166,478

Hogeland, MT $166,450

Inverness, MT $166,437

Joplin, MT $166,478

Kremlin, MT $166,473

Lloyd, MT $166,229

Loring, MT $166,386

Malta, MT $166,594

Rudyard, MT $166,515

Turner, MT $166,489

Whitewater, MT $166,416

Whitlash, MT $166,300

Zortman, MT $166,610

Zurich, MT $166,382

Helena, MT $159,083

Basin, MT $162,559

Boulder, MT $164,339

Canyon Creek, MT $160,858

Clancy, MT $159,353

East Helena, MT $158,976

Fort Harrison, MT $158,976

Jefferson City, MT $160,497

Lincoln, MT $166,519

Marysville, MT $160,662

Radersburg, MT $164,602

Ringling, MT $166,332

Toston, MT $165,235

Townsend, MT $162,785

White Sulphur Springs, MT $165,845

Winston, MT $160,827

Wolf Creek, MT $164,220

Butte, MT $166,512

Alder, MT $166,455

Anaconda, MT $166,880

Avon, MT $162,442

Belgrade, MT $167,079

Bozeman, MT $167,186

Big Sky, MT $167,061

Cameron, MT $166,345

Cardwell, MT $166,706

Deer Lodge, MT $165,500

Dell, MT $165,889

Dillon, MT $166,583

Divide, MT $166,537

Elliston, MT $161,089

Ennis, MT $166,807

Gallatin Gateway, MT $166,711

Garrison, MT $164,682

Glen, MT $166,530

Gold Creek, MT $165,781

Harrison, MT $166,752

Jackson, MT $166,103

Lima, MT $166,009

Mc Allister, MT $166,775

Manhattan, MT $167,031

Melrose, MT $166,549

Norris, MT $166,547

Polaris, MT $166,346

Pony, MT $166,787

Ramsay, MT $166,874

Sheridan, MT $166,844

Silver Star, MT $166,841

Three Forks, MT $166,899

Twin Bridges, MT $166,702

Virginia City, MT $166,761

Warm Springs, MT $166,857

West Yellowstone, MT $166,668

Whitehall, MT $166,876

Willow Creek, MT $166,826

Wisdom, MT $166,144

Wise River, MT $166,435

Missoula, MT $167,445

Architectural Design Director Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Architectural Design Director roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Energy & Utilities and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Architectural Design Director positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Construction typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Architectural Design Director as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Architectural Design Director

Industry Sector	Average Annual Salary	Average Hourly Rate	Pay vs.Avg
Energy & Utilities	$201,440	$97.0	20%
Business Services	$184,653	$89.0	10%

Architectural Design Director Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Architectural Design Director's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

$154,505

Average $167,867/year

$182,548

$12,875

Average $13,989/month

$15,212

$2,971

Average $3,228/week

$3,511

$74

Average $81/hour

$88

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$182,548	$15,212	$3,511	$88
Average	$167,867	$13,989	$3,228	$81
25th Percentile	$154,505	$12,875	$2,971	$74

Find Your Next Architectural Design Director Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Architectural Design Director job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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Architectural Design Director Salary in Montana

Check out Architectural Design Director Job Openings in Montana

Key Factors That Influence Architectural Design Director Salaries

How Experience Level Affects Architectural Design Director Salaries?

How Do Architectural Design Director Salaries Vary from State to State?

Top Paying Cities for Architectural Design Director

Architectural Design Director Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

The top paying industries for an Architectural Design Director

Architectural Design Director Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Find Your Next Architectural Design Director Job

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For Employers

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

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Architectural Design Director Salary in Montana

Check out Architectural Design Director Job Openings in Montana

Key Factors That Influence Architectural Design Director Salaries

How Experience Level Affects Architectural Design Director Salaries?

How Do Architectural Design Director Salaries Vary from State to State?

Top Paying Cities for Architectural Design Director

Architectural Design Director Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

The top paying industries for an Architectural Design Director

Architectural Design Director Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Salaries of jobs related to Architectural Design Director

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