Architectural Project Lead Salary in the United States

How much does an Architectural Project Lead make in the United States? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Architectural Project Lead in the United States is $99,937 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $48.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $115,903
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $91,167 to $108,294
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $83,183

Key Factors That Influence Architectural Project Lead Salaries

An Architectural Project Lead'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 Lead Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Architectural Project Lead'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): $82,219
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $98,196
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $119,890
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $139,608
  • Expert (over 8 years): $155,329
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
IT Project Manager I less than 1 year $82,219
Architectural Project Lead 1-2 years $98,196
IT Project Manager III 2-4 years $119,890
IT Project Manager IV 5-8 years $139,608
IT Project Manager V over 8 years $155,329

Top Paying Cities for Architectural Project Lead

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: $126,050
  • San Francisco: $124,670
  • Oakland: $122,043

Architectural Project Lead Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Architectural Project Lead 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 Biotechnology and Insurance sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Architectural Project Lead positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Architectural Project Lead as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Architectural Project Lead

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology $124,921 $60.0 25%
Insurance $119,924 $58.0 20%
Energy & Utilities $114,927 $55.0 15%
Internet $114,927 $55.0 15%
Pharmaceuticals $114,927 $55.0 15%

How Education impacts an Architectural Project Lead's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Architectural Project Lead professionals enter the field with a Associate'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 Lead with a Associate's is between $96,956 and $103,264.

Architectural Project Lead Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Architectural Project Lead
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Degree 0.4%
High School 3.4%
Associate's Degree 5.4%
Bachelor's Degree 49.9%
Master's Degree or MBA 40%
JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent 0.8%

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

Understanding how an Architectural Project Lead'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
$91,167
Average $99,937/year
$108,294
$7,597
Average $8,328/month
$9,025
$1,753
Average $1,922/week
$2,083
$44
Average $48/hour
$52
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $108,294 $9,025 $2,083 $52
Average $99,937 $8,328 $1,922 $48
25th Percentile $91,167 $7,597 $1,753 $44

Most common benefits for Architectural Project Lead

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

Common company salaries for Architectural Project Lead

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

Find Your Next Architectural Project Lead Job

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

  • Digital Installation Group LLC | Ashburn, VA

    Digital Installation Group LLC | Ashburn, VA

    Job Description. Job Description. Job Overview. Project Manager oversees key client construction projects from initiation to completion. The Project Manage... more

    11 Days Ago

  • Timmons Group | Ashburn, VA

    Timmons Group | Ashburn, VA

    Job Description. Job Description. Job Description. Timmons Group is currently seeking a . Civil Project Manager/Senior Project Manager - Stormwater.  candi... more

    8 Days Ago

  • QTS Data Centers | Ashburn, VA

    QTS Data Centers | Ashburn, VA

    Project Manager IIThe Project Manager II is responsible for driving the delivery of process and project solutions in support of business objectives and ong... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Clark Construction Group | Ashburn, VA

    Clark Construction Group | Ashburn, VA

    As Project Manager, you will be a part of a leadership team dedicated to directing the day-to-day management of the project. You will create a project plan... more

    7 Days Ago

  • XS Telecom | Ashburn, VA

    XS Telecom | Ashburn, VA

    Wire the Future of Connectivity - Join XS Telecom's Skilled TeamAt XS Telecom, we do more than design and support technology-we connect people, businesses,... more

    7 Days Ago

  • PowerX Inc | Ashburn, VA

    PowerX Inc | Ashburn, VA

    ABOUT USAt POWERX, we take pride in being the premier provider of comprehensive power services, ensuring that power systems operate efficiently and reliabl... more

    7 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 Project Lead

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

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Architectural Project Lead 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