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Architectural Trainee Salary in California

How much does an Architectural Trainee make in California? As of November 01, 2026, the average salary for an Architectural Trainee in California is $106,832 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $51.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $126,780
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $97,884 to $117,273
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $89,737
Salary Factors Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Architectural Trainee Job Openings in California

Key Factors That Influence Architectural Trainee Salaries

An Architectural Trainee'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 Trainee Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Architectural Trainee'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): $69,924
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $84,921
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $104,656
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $125,152
  • Expert (over 8 years): $147,174
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Architect I less than 1 year $69,924
Architect II 1-2 years $84,921
Architectural Trainee 2-4 years $104,656
Architect IV 5-8 years $125,152
Architect V over 8 years $147,174

How Do Architectural Trainee 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 Trainees. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $107,238.
  • California: $106,832.
  • Massachusetts: $105,408.

Top Paying Cities for Architectural Trainee

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: $107,016
  • West Hollywood: $106,938
  • Dodgertown: $107,015

Architectural Trainee Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

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

The top paying industries for an Architectural Trainee

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit $133,540 $64.0 25%
Construction $117,515 $56.0 10%

Architectural Trainee Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Architectural Trainee'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 November 01, 2026
$97,884
Average $106,832/year
$117,273
$8,157
Average $8,903/month
$9,773
$1,882
Average $2,054/week
$2,255
$47
Average $51/hour
$56
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $117,273 $9,773 $2,255 $56
Average $106,832 $8,903 $2,054 $51
25th Percentile $97,884 $8,157 $1,882 $47

Find Your Next Architectural Trainee Job

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

  • The Prolift Rigging Company | PEORIA, AZ

    Management Trainee

    The Prolift Rigging Company | PEORIA, AZ

    Train for future leadership roles in an industrial construction and rigging company through a structured, mentored program. The role involves field assignm... more

    5 Days Ago

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    Sales Trainee

    Medix™ | MUNDELEIN, IL

    Job Description. ABOUT US. \n. At Medix, we’re on a mission to positively impact lives—and that starts with you. As a national leader with over 20 years of... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Great Lakes Outreach Wisconsin | WEST ALLIS, WI

    Management Trainee

    Great Lakes Outreach Wisconsin | WEST ALLIS, WI

    Job Description. Management Trainee. \n. We are seeking an entry-level management trainee to be cross trained across departmental rotations to learn our co... more

    11 Days Ago

  • The Gold Recruiter | NEW YORK, NY

    Management Trainee

    The Gold Recruiter | NEW YORK, NY

    Job Description. About Us. \n. We are a growing sales and business development team focused on helping businesses connect with products and services that s... more

    14 Days Ago

  • The Prolift Rigging Company | DICKINSON, ND

    Heavy Rigging Trainee

    The Prolift Rigging Company | DICKINSON, ND

    Entry-level opportunity to learn heavy rigging and industrial relocation work while supporting construction and equipment projects. Complete company, regul... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Safety-Kleen | PAPILLION, NE

    Driver Class Trainee

    Safety-Kleen | PAPILLION, NE

    Safety-Kleen, a Clean Harbors company, is seeking a Driver Class B Trainee to support our environmental services and used oil recycling routes. In this ent... more

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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.

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