Salary AI Book a Demo

Architectural Design Director Salary in Tennessee

How much does an Architectural Design Director make in Tennessee? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Architectural Design Director in Tennessee is $166,160 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $80.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $193,923
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $152,934 to $180,692
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $140,892
Salary Factors Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Architectural Design Director Job Openings in Tennessee

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): $102,774
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $120,876
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $99,982
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $132,072
  • Expert (over 8 years): $163,132
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Architect IV less than 1 year $102,774
Architect V 1-2 years $120,876
Architect Supervisor 2-4 years $99,982
Architect Manager 5-8 years $132,072
Architectural Design Director over 8 years $163,132

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.

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:

  • Cornersville: $163,315
  • Lexington: $160,175
  • Iron City: $154,588

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 $199,392 $96.0 20%
Business Services $182,776 $88.0 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.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$152,934
Average $166,160/year
$180,692
$12,744
Average $13,847/month
$15,058
$2,941
Average $3,195/week
$3,475
$74
Average $80/hour
$87
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $180,692 $15,058 $3,475 $87
Average $166,160 $13,847 $3,195 $80
25th Percentile $152,934 $12,744 $2,941 $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.

  • Klingman's Furniture & Design | OKEMOS, MI

    Design Consultant Retail Sales Professional

    Klingman's Furniture & Design | OKEMOS, MI

    Design Consultant / Retail Sales Professional. Earn More. Grow Faster. Design Beautiful Spaces. Don't miss this opportunity to earn some of the highest com... more

    1 Day Ago

  • MXD Process | PLAIN CITY, OH

    Design Engineer

    MXD Process | PLAIN CITY, OH

    Job Summary The Design Engineer will design Mixers, Tanks, and Systems, as well as provide technical support to sales, production, and product support. The... more

    1 Day Ago

  • John Muir Health | CLYDE, CA

    Director

    John Muir Health | CLYDE, CA

    John Muir Health seeks a Director to lead strategic operations within our healthcare and social assistance services. This role will drive patient-centered ... more

    1 Day Ago

  • John Muir Health | WALDON, CA

    Director

    John Muir Health | WALDON, CA

    John Muir Health seeks a Director to lead strategic operations within our healthcare and social assistance services. This role will drive patient-centered ... more

    2 Days Ago

  • Constellation Energy | POLO, IL

    Valve Design Mechanical Engineer

    Constellation Energy | POLO, IL

    Constellation Energy seeks a Valve Design Engineer to develop high‑performance valve solutions for power generation and utility applications. In this role,... more

    2 Days Ago

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst