Design Director
OLIVER Agency - North America – Seattle, WA
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How much does an Architectural Design Director make in Washington? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Architectural Design Director in Washington is $192,795 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $93.
However, an Architectural Design Director's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:
Architectural Design Director Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $209,657 | $17,471 | $4,032 | $101 |
| Average | $192,795 | $16,066 | $3,708 | $93 |
| 25th Percentile | $177,449 | $14,787 | $3,412 | $85 |
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.
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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Architect IV | less than 1 year | $119,249 |
| Architect V | 1-2 years | $140,252 |
| Architect Supervisor | 2-4 years | $116,009 |
| Architect Manager | 5-8 years | $153,243 |
| Architectural Design Director | over 8 years | $189,282 |
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:
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:
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.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy & Utilities | $231,354 | $111.0 | 20% |
| Business Services | $212,075 | $102.0 | 10% |
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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $209,657 | $17,471 | $4,032 | $101 |
| Average | $192,795 | $16,066 | $3,708 | $93 |
| 25th Percentile | $177,449 | $14,787 | $3,412 | $85 |
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