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Architecture Lead Salary in the United States

How much does an Architecture Lead make in the United States? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Architecture Lead in the United States is $136,611 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $66.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $153,031
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $127,037 to $145,206
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $118,320
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Architecture Lead Job Openings in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Architecture Lead Salaries

An Architecture 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 Architecture Lead Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Architecture 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): $95,834
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $114,631
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $134,821
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $111,517
  • Expert (over 8 years): $147,309
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Architect III less than 1 year $95,834
Architect IV 1-2 years $114,631
Architecture Lead 2-4 years $134,821
Architect Supervisor 5-8 years $111,517
Architect Manager over 8 years $147,309

How Do Architecture Lead 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 Architecture Leads. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $151,256.
  • California: $150,682.
  • Massachusetts: $148,674.

Top Paying Cities for Architecture 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: $172,307
  • San Francisco: $170,421
  • Oakland: $166,829

Architecture Lead Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Architecture Lead roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit and Retail & Wholesale sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Architecture Lead positions in Business Services or Energy & Utilities typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Architecture Lead as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Architecture Lead

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit $163,933 $79.0 20%
Retail & Wholesale $150,272 $72.0 10%

How Education impacts an Architecture Lead's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Architecture Lead 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 Architecture Lead with a Bachelor's is between $154,733 and $166,125.

Architecture Lead Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Architecture Lead
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Degree 1.1%
High School 1.1%
Associate's Degree 2%
Bachelor's Degree 45.3%
Master's Degree or MBA 49.7%
JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent 1.9%
View as Graph

Architecture Lead Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Architecture 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
$127,037
Average $136,611/year
$145,206
$10,586
Average $11,384/month
$12,101
$2,443
Average $2,627/week
$2,792
$61
Average $66/hour
$70
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $145,206 $12,101 $2,792 $70
Average $136,611 $11,384 $2,627 $66
25th Percentile $127,037 $10,586 $2,443 $61

Most common benefits for Architecture Lead

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

Common company salaries for Architecture Lead

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

Find Your Next Architecture Lead Job

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

  • AROMAIR | Columbus, OH

    Warehouse associate

    AROMAIR | Columbus, OH

    Warehouse Associate - New Albany. At Job&Talent, we are recruiting for a Warehouse Associate to work with Aromair in New Albany. This role involves managin... more

    6 Days Ago

  • KOHLS | Columbus, OH

    Senior Industrial Maintenance Technician

    KOHLS | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Shifts. \n. Monday-Thursday 2pm-12am. \n. Monday-Thursday 10pm-8am. \n. Friday-Sunday 6pm-6am. \n. \n. About the Role. \n. As a Senior Mai... more

    6 Days Ago

  • White Glove Placement | Columbus, OH

    RN

    White Glove Placement | Columbus, OH

    RN-Cath Lab Job in Westerville, OH $2387-$2795 per week* Location Westerville, OH. Schedule 5x8 Days. Start Date 09/27/2026. Assignment Length 13 weeks. Jo... more

    6 Days Ago

  • C.R. England | Columbus, OH

    Local CDL

    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

    17 Days Ago

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FAQ about Architecture Lead

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Architecture Lead?

The Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit industry offers the highest average compensation for Architecture Lead roles, with salaries approximately 20% 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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