Salary AI Book a Demo

Architectural Project Designer Salary in California

How much does an Architectural Project Designer make in California? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Architectural Project Designer in California is $103,049 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $50.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $122,292
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $94,415 to $113,121
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $86,555
Salary Factors Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Architectural Project Designer Job Openings in California

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 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): $67,456
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $81,923
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $100,950
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $120,750
  • Expert (over 8 years): $142,018
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Architect I less than 1 year $67,456
Architect II 1-2 years $81,923
Architectural Project Designer 2-4 years $100,950
Architect IV 5-8 years $120,750
Architect V over 8 years $142,018

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:

  • Los Angeles: $103,226
  • West Hollywood: $103,151
  • Dodgertown: $103,225

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 $128,811 $62.0 25%
Construction $113,353 $54.0 10%

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.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$94,415
Average $103,049/year
$113,121
$7,868
Average $8,587/month
$9,427
$1,816
Average $1,982/week
$2,175
$45
Average $50/hour
$54
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $113,121 $9,427 $2,175 $54
Average $103,049 $8,587 $1,982 $50
25th Percentile $94,415 $7,868 $1,816 $45

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.

  • 10design | San Francisco, CA

    Senior Architectural Designer

    10design | San Francisco, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Company Description. 10 Design, part of Egis Group, is an international architecture and master planning practice with of... more

    8 Days Ago

  • Luxus | Irvine, CA

    Architectural Project Coordinator

    Luxus | Irvine, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Project Coordinator. Company Name. MCG Architecture. Location. Irvine, CA. Project Focus. Retail, Restaurant, Mixed-Use, ... more

    8 Days Ago

  • Luxus | Irvine, CA

    Architectural Project Director

    Luxus | Irvine, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. PROJECT DIRECTOR. Company: MCG Architecture. Location: Irvine, California. Employment Type: Full-Time. Experience Level: ... more

    8 Days Ago

  • DAHLIN Architecture | Planning | Interiors | Irvine, CA

    Architectural Project Manager

    DAHLIN Architecture | Planning | Interiors | Irvine, CA

    We are currently seeking an energetic, confident, and highly motivated ARCHITECTURAL PROJECT MANAGER to join our Multifamily team in our Irvine, CA office.... more

    9 Days Ago

  • HDR | Los Angeles, CA

    Architectural Project Manager Health

    HDR | Los Angeles, CA

    At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empow... more

    9 Days Ago

  • Colliers Engineering & Design | Irvine, CA

    Architectural Project Manager

    Colliers Engineering & Design | Irvine, CA

    OverviewMG2, an affiliate of Colliers Engineering & Design is currently looking for an Architectural Project Manager - Banking to join our Client Programs ... more

    9 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