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Architectural Project Designer Salary in the United States

How much does an Architectural Project Designer make in the United States? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Architectural Project Designer in the United States is $93,426 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $45.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $110,872
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $85,599 to $102,558
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $78,473
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Architectural Project Designer Job Openings in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Architectural Project Designer Salaries

An Architectural Project Designer'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 Project Designer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Architectural Project Designer'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): $61,157
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $74,273
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $91,523
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $109,474
  • Expert (over 8 years): $128,756
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Architect I less than 1 year $61,157
Architect II 1-2 years $74,273
Architectural Project Designer 2-4 years $91,523
Architect IV 5-8 years $109,474
Architect V over 8 years $128,756

How Do Architectural Project Designer 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 Project Designers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $103,441.
  • California: $103,049.
  • Massachusetts: $101,675.

Top Paying Cities for Architectural Project Designer

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: $117,838
  • San Francisco: $116,548
  • Oakland: $114,091

Architectural Project Designer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Architectural Project Designer 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 Project Designer positions in Retail & Wholesale or Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Architectural Project Designer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Architectural Project Designer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit $116,782 $56.0 25%
Construction $102,768 $49.0 10%

How Education impacts an Architectural Project Designer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Architectural Project Designer 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 Project Designer with a Bachelor's is between $98,345 and $104,968.

Architectural Project Designer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Architectural Project Designer
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%
View as Graph

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

Understanding how an Architectural Project Designer'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
$85,599
Average $93,426/year
$102,558
$7,133
Average $7,785/month
$8,547
$1,646
Average $1,797/week
$1,972
$41
Average $45/hour
$49
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $102,558 $8,547 $1,972 $49
Average $93,426 $7,785 $1,797 $45
25th Percentile $85,599 $7,133 $1,646 $41

Most common benefits for Architectural Project Designer

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

Common company salaries for Architectural Project Designer

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

Find Your Next Architectural Project Designer Job

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

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FAQ about Architectural Project Designer

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

The Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit industry offers the highest average compensation for Architectural Project Designer 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.

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