How Much Does an Architect Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$99,280
Architects in the U.S. earn a median of $99,280 a year, or $47.73 an hour. Half of architects earn more than $99,280 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $161,420.
Pay percentiles for architects
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $29.95 | $62,300 |
| 25th | $37.48 | $77,960 |
| 50th (median) | $47.73 | $99,280 |
| 75th | $60.84 | $126,550 |
| 90th | $77.61 | $161,420 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Architects, Except Landscape and Naval (SOC 17-1011). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for architects
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wyoming | $120,580 | $57.97 | +21% |
| Massachusetts | $117,330 | $56.41 | +18% |
| Maryland | $114,550 | $55.07 | +15% |
| Alaska | $108,730 | $52.27 | +10% |
| California | $108,540 | $52.19 | +9% |
| Rhode Island | $105,160 | $50.56 | +6% |
| Connecticut | $103,540 | $49.78 | +4% |
| South Dakota | $102,500 | $49.28 | +3% |
| Colorado | $102,400 | $49.23 | +3% |
| Hawaii | $102,340 | $49.20 | +3% |
| United States | $99,280 | $47.73 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many architects are there?
BLS counts about 106,770 architects employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). The most jobs are in California (13,270), New York (10,360) and Texas (7,820).
The mean (average) annual wage is $106,260, higher than the median of $99,280.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $8,273
- Biweekly
- $3,818
- Weekly
- $1,909
- Daily (8 hours)
- $382
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do architects make an hour?
The median hourly wage for architects is $47.73. The middle 50% earn between $37.48 and $60.84 an hour.
Which state pays architects the most?
Wyoming has the highest median wage for architects at $120,580, +21% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for architects?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of architects earn less than $62,300 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.