As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Design Architect, Entry in the United States is $62,500 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $30.
However, a Design Architect, Entry's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A Design Architect, Entry'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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Design Architect, Entry'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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Design Architect, Entry | 0-2 years | $62,492 |
| Design Architect, Experienced | 2-4 years | $75,893 |
| Design Architect, Senior | 4-7 years | $93,513 |
| Design Architect, Specialist | 7+ years | $111,869 |
| Design Architect, Master | 7-10 years | $131,582 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Design Architect, Entries. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Leadership | 5.12% |
| Adobe | 1.96% |
| Conceptualization | 1.36% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
AWS
|
$85,000 |
36%
|
|
Azure
|
$83,125 |
33%
|
|
Salesforce
|
$78,750 |
26%
|
|
Computer Science
|
$76,250 |
22%
|
|
Java
|
$75,000 |
20%
|
|
API
|
$75,000 |
20%
|
Design Architect, Entry salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $68,011. While startup companies pay approximate $57,646.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $57,646 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $60,940 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $65,710 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $68,011 |
For Design Architect, Entry roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 55% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Energy & Utilities and Construction sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Design Architect, Entry positions in Retail & Wholesale or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Design Architect, Entry as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy & Utilities | $78,125 | $38.0 | 25% |
| Construction | $75,000 | $36.0 | 20% |
| Business Services | $65,625 | $32.0 | 5% |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Design Architect, Entries enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Design Architect, Entry with a Bachelor's Degree is between $65,282 and $68,494).
Design Architect, Entry Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 0.4% |
| High School | 2.2% |
| Associates | 3.0% |
| Bachelors | 47.7% |
| Masters | 45.5% |
| Doctorate | 1.1% |
Understanding how a Design Architect, Entry'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.
Last Updated on August 01, 2026For a Design Architect, Entry, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Design Architect, Experienced role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $75,900 - a projected growth of 21% over your current level.
Salaries for a Design Architect, Entry can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $53,756 in 2023 to around $53,722 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Design Architect, Entry salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $53,756 |
| 2024 | $53,978 |
| 2025 | $53,722 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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The Energy & Utilities industry offers the highest average compensation for Design Architect, Entry roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.
Architects typically do not make $200k, especially at the entry level. For Design Architects, the salary range is between $63,100 and $76,300, with a mid-salary of $68,500. Higher salaries may be achievable with experience and in specific markets, but entry-level positions generally fall well below that threshold.
Design architects are primarily responsible for developing a project's overall design. They interpret client needs, analyze the building site and environment, consider budget constraints, and create designs that meet these criteria. The salary for entry-level design architects ranges from $63,100 to $76,300, with a mid-range salary of $68,500.
The lowest-paid design architect earns a minimum salary of $63,100. The median salary for this role is $68,500, while the highest earners can make up to $76,300. This reflects a range of earnings within the profession, highlighting the differences based on experience and location.
Main entry refers to the primary entrance of a building designed for use by residents, customers, clients, visitors, and the public. In the field of architecture, a Design Architect typically earns a salary ranging from $63,100 to $76,300, with a median salary of $68,500, reflecting the importance of thoughtful design in creating welcoming and functional entrances.
Studying architecture can be challenging due to its demanding curriculum, which includes design, theory, and technical skills. However, the effort can lead to rewarding career opportunities. For instance, as a Design Architect, entry-level positions offer salaries ranging from $63,100 to $76,300, reflecting the value of the skills acquired during your studies.
Entry Level Architects in the US earn between $63,100 and $76,300 annually, with a median salary of $68,500. This translates to approximately $30.34 to $36.66 per hour, or about $1,213 to $1,477 per week. The average annual pay reflects the starting range for this profession.
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.)
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