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Hourly Wage for Design Architect, Master Salary in the United States

What is the hourly salary range of Design Architect, Master?

As of September 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for a Design Architect, Master in the United States is $63, which translates to an annual salary of about $131,600.

However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $70 per hour
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $58 to $67 per hour
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $54 per hour

Key Factors That Influence Design Architect, Master Salaries

A Design Architect, Master'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 Design Architect, Master Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Design Architect, Master'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:

  • Design Architect, Senior (4-7 years): $93,515
  • Design Architect, Specialist (7+ years): $111,857
  • Design Architect, Master (7-10 years): $131,558
  • Architect Team Leader (10+ years): $108,818
  • Design Architect Manager (10+ years): $143,744
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Design Architect, Senior4-7 years$93,515
Design Architect, Specialist7+ years$111,857
Design Architect, Master7-10 years$131,558
Architect Team Leader10+ years$108,818
Design Architect Manager10+ years$143,744

Top Paying Cities for Design Architect, Masters

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: $166,000
  • San Francisco: $164,200
  • Oakland: $160,700

What Skills Can Increase a Design Architect, Master's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 6.96% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Computer Science (Mentioned in 1.91% Job Postings): Computer science is the study of computation, automation, and information. Computer science spans theoretical disciplines (such as algorithms, theory of computation, information theory, and automation) to practical disciplines.
  • Solution Architecture (Mentioned in 1.36% Job Postings): Is the process of developing solutions based on predefined processes, guidelines and best practices with the objective that the developed solution fits within the enterprise architecture in terms of information architecture, system portfolios, integration requirements and many more.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 6.96%
Computer Science 1.91%
Solution Architecture 1.36%

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Design Architect, Master's salary.

  • Plumbing: Can increase your salary by up to 32%.
  • Creativity: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Risk Management: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Plumbing $173,712
32%
Creativity $142,128
8%
Risk Management $139,496
6%

Design Architect, Master Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Design Architect, Master salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $142,977. While startup companies pay approximate $121,171.

Design Architect, Master Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $121,171
Growth Stage 51~500 $128,095
Established 501~5000 $138,130
Enterprise 5000+ $142,977

Design Architect, Master Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Design Architect, Master 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, Design Architect, Master positions in Business Services or Energy & Utilities typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Design Architect, Master as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Design Architect, Master

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit$157,920$76.020%
Retail & Wholesale$144,760$70.010%

How Education impacts a Design Architect, Master's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Design Architect, Masters 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, Master with a Bachelor's Degree is between $153,958 and $165,300).

Design Architect, Master Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Design Architect, Master
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.1%
High School 1.1%
Associates 2.0%
Bachelors 45.3%
Masters 49.7%
Doctorate 1.9%

Design Architect, Master Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Design Architect, Master'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 September 01, 2026
$121,200
Average $131,600/year
$139,400
$10,100
Average $10,967/month
$11,617
$2,331
Average $2,531/week
$2,681
$58
Average $63/hour
$67
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $139,400 $11,617 $2,681 $67
Average $131,600 $10,967 $2,531 $63
25th Percentile $121,200 $10,100 $2,331 $58

Most common benefits for Design Architect, Master

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

Common company salaries for Design Architect, Master

Here are companies hiring for Design Architect, Master and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Design Architect, Master

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Design Architect, Master?

The Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit industry offers the highest average compensation for Design Architect, Master roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

2. Can architects make over 100k?

Yes, architects can certainly make over $100,000. For a Design Architect at the Master level, the salary range is between $143,500 and $184,800 annually, with a mid-salary of $164,400. This role typically requires 8+ years of experience in project design, covering all phases from Schematic Design to Construction Administration.

3. How hard is architecture master's?

A Master's degree in Architecture demands considerable dedication, blending theoretical knowledge with practical application. This advanced qualification enhances understanding of design principles, sustainability, and digital innovation through rigorous studio projects and research. Graduates can expect salaries ranging from $143,500 to $184,800, reflecting the value of their expertise in the field.

4. What state pays architects the most?

The best-paying states for Design Architects offer significantly higher salaries than the national average. For instance, the salary range for a Master Design Architect is between $143,500 and $184,800, with a mid-salary of $164,400. This reflects a more competitive compensation compared to states like California and the District of Columbia.

5. Is architect a lot of math?

While math is important in architecture, particularly algebra, geometry, and trigonometry, it shouldn't deter anyone from pursuing the field. These skills help in understanding dimensions, quantities, and geometric relationships, which are essential for design. Additionally, a Design Architect can expect a salary ranging from $143,500 to $184,800, reflecting the value of these skills in the profession.

6. What is a level 7 architect?

A level 7 architect focuses on designing new buildings and redesigning existing structures. This qualification is equivalent to a master's degree and typically requires 48 months of study. Salary data for a Design Architect at this level ranges from $143,500 to $184,800, with a mid-salary of $164,400.

7. What type of architect is the highest paid?

The highest-paid architect role is typically the Design Architect, Master, with a salary range from $143,500 to $184,800. This position often commands a mid-salary of $164,400, reflecting its specialized skills and responsibilities. Other high-paying architect careers include Preservation Architect, Architectural Technologist, and Landscape Architect.

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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