Architectural Designer - Project Architect Salary in the United States

How much does an Architectural Designer - Project Architect make in the United States? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Architectural Designer - Project Architect in the United States is $96,729 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $47.

However, an Architectural Designer - Project Architect's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $114,793
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $88,625 to $106,184
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $81,247

Key Factors That Influence Architectural Designer - Project Architect Salaries

An Architectural Designer - Project Architect'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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Architectural Designer - Project Architect Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Architectural Designer - Project Architect'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): $63,319
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $76,898
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $94,759
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $113,345
  • Expert (over 8 years): $133,308
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Architect I less than 1 year $63,319
Architect II 1-2 years $76,898
Architectural Designer - Project Architect 2-4 years $94,759
Architect IV 5-8 years $113,345
Architect V over 8 years $133,308

Top Paying Cities for Architectural Designer - Project Architect

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:

  • San Jose: $122,004
  • San Francisco: $120,668
  • Oakland: $118,125

Architectural Designer - Project Architect Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Architectural Designer - Project Architect roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 45% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit and Construction sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Architectural Designer - Project Architect positions in Retail & Wholesale or Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Architectural Designer - Project Architect as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Architectural Designer - Project Architect

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit $120,911 $58.0 25%
Construction $106,401 $51.0 10%

How Education impacts an Architectural Designer - Project Architect's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Architectural Designer - Project Architect professionals enter the field with a Bachelor's degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Architectural Designer - Project Architect with a Bachelor's is between $98,345 and $104,968.

Architectural Designer - Project Architect Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Architectural Designer - Project Architect
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Degree 0.1%
High School 0.6%
Associate's Degree 0.9%
Bachelor's Degree 46%
Master's Degree or MBA 51.6%
JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent 0.8%

Architectural Designer - Project Architect Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Architectural Designer - Project Architect'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.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$88,625
Average $96,729/year
$106,184
$7,385
Average $8,061/month
$8,849
$1,704
Average $1,860/week
$2,042
$43
Average $47/hour
$51
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $106,184 $8,849 $2,042 $51
Average $96,729 $8,061 $1,860 $47
25th Percentile $88,625 $7,385 $1,704 $43

Most common benefits for Architectural Designer - Project Architect

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Architectural Designer - Project Architect

Here are companies hiring for Architectural Designer - Project Architect and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Architectural Designer - Project Architect Job

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

  • Ohio | Columbus, OH

    Ohio | Columbus, OH

    100% Remote - Ohio Neuro Teleradiology JobClinical Role. Do you know someone that might be a good fit for this position. Please ask about our generous refe... more

    10 Days Ago

  • C.R. England | Columbus, OH

    C.R. England | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. C.R. England is Now Urgently Hiring Local Dedicated CDL-A Truck Drivers. \n. Dedicated Local Fleet - Home Daily - Competitive Pay* - Full ... more

    18 Days Ago

  • OhioHealth | Columbus, OH

    OhioHealth | Columbus, OH

    We are more than a health system. We are a belief system. We believe wellness and sickness are both part of a lifelong partnership, and that everyone could... more

    21 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

FAQ about Architectural Designer - Project Architect

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Architectural Designer - Project Architect?

The Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit industry offers the highest average compensation for Architectural Designer - Project Architect roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint 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