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Licensed Architect, Specialist Salary in the United States

How much does a Licensed Architect, Specialist make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Licensed Architect, Specialist in the United States is $111,890 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $54.

However, a Licensed Architect, Specialist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $123,162
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $103,390 to $117,790
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $95,651

Key Factors That Influence Licensed Architect, Specialist Salaries

A Licensed Architect, Specialist'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 Licensed Architect, Specialist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Licensed Architect, Specialist'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, Experienced (2-4 years): $75,889
  • Design Architect, Senior (4-7 years): $93,515
  • Licensed Architect, Specialist (7+ years): $111,857
  • Design Architect, Master (7-10 years): $131,558
  • Architect Team Leader (10+ years): $108,818
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Design Architect, Experienced2-4 years$75,889
Design Architect, Senior4-7 years$93,515
Licensed Architect, Specialist7+ years$111,857
Design Architect, Master7-10 years$131,558
Architect Team Leader10+ years$108,818

Top Paying Cities for Licensed Architect, Specialists

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: $141,090
  • San Francisco: $139,590
  • Oakland: $136,590

What Skills Can Increase a Licensed Architect, Specialist's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Coordination (Mentioned in 6.35% Job Postings): Ability to plan, execute, and adjust job duties to achieve business goals.
  • Programming (Mentioned in 1.9% Job Postings): Executing logic to facilitate computing operations and functionality in one or more languages.
  • Adobe (Mentioned in 1.19% Job Postings): A mixture of wet earth and grass made into bricks and dried in the sun, used to build houses. It originated from the oral form of Arabic al-tob, meaning "brick," It is the first materials used to create buildings in the 8th century B.C
Skills Demand Percentage
Coordination 6.35%
Programming 1.9%
Adobe 1.19%

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 Licensed Architect, Specialist's salary.

  • Management Skills: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • Commitment: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Adobe Creative Suite: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Management Skills $124,198
11%
Commitment $121,960
9%
Adobe Creative Suite $117,485
5%

Licensed Architect, Specialist Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Licensed Architect, Specialist salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $121,563. While startup companies pay approximate $103,023.

Licensed Architect, Specialist Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $103,023
Growth Stage 51~500 $108,910
Established 501~5000 $117,442
Enterprise 5000+ $121,563

Licensed Architect, Specialist Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Licensed Architect, Specialist 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 Construction and Retail & Wholesale sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Licensed Architect, Specialist positions in Business Services or Energy & Utilities typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Licensed Architect, Specialist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Licensed Architect, Specialist

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Construction$134,268$65.020%
Retail & Wholesale$123,079$59.010%

How Education impacts a Licensed Architect, Specialist's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Licensed Architect, Specialists 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 Licensed Architect, Specialist with a Bachelor's Degree is between $130,989 and $138,754).

Licensed Architect, Specialist Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Licensed Architect, Specialist
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.2%
High School 0.3%
Associates 2.0%
Bachelors 45.4%
Masters 51.7%
Doctorate 0.4%

Licensed Architect, Specialist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Licensed Architect, Specialist'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
$103,390
Average $111,890/year
$117,790
$8,616
Average $9,324/month
$9,816
$1,988
Average $2,152/week
$2,265
$50
Average $54/hour
$57
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $117,790 $9,816 $2,265 $57
Average $111,890 $9,324 $2,152 $54
25th Percentile $103,390 $8,616 $1,988 $50

Licensed Architect, Specialist Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Licensed Architect, Specialist, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Design Architect, Master role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $131,600 - a projected growth of 18% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Licensed Architect, Specialist

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

Common company salaries for Licensed Architect, Specialist

Here are companies hiring for Licensed Architect, Specialist and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Licensed Architect, Specialist

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Licensed Architect, Specialist?

The Construction industry offers the highest average compensation for Licensed Architect, Specialist roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

2. Do architects make more than engineers?

Licensed architects typically earn a minimum salary of $124,290, a mid-range salary of $138,390, and a maximum salary of $153,090. In comparison, engineers' salaries can vary widely depending on their specialization and experience. Generally, architects may earn more than some engineering roles, but it ultimately depends on the specific field and location.

3. What is the highest paying job in the world?

The highest paying job in the world can vary, but a Licensed Architect is among the top earners in the field. With a minimum salary of $124,290, a mid-range salary of $138,390, and a maximum salary reaching $153,090, this profession offers substantial financial rewards, reflecting the expertise and responsibility required in architectural design and planning.

4. Do architects get paid well in USA?

Yes, architects in the USA are well-compensated. The salary data indicates that Licensed Architects earn between $124,290 and $153,090 annually, with a median salary of $138,390. While entry-level positions may start lower, experienced architects can command significantly higher salaries, reflecting their expertise and contributions to the field.

5. What state pays architects the most?

Best-Paying States for Architects The states and districts that pay Architects the highest mean salary are California, with salaries ranging from $124,290 to $153,090, followed by the District of Columbia, Wyoming, Alaska, and Nevada. These figures reflect the competitive compensation for licensed architects in these regions. How much do architects make in your city?

6. What country pays architects the most?

The United States offers some of the highest salaries for licensed architects. The minimum salary is approximately $124,290, with a mid-range salary of around $138,390, and the maximum salary reaching up to $153,090. This competitive pay reflects the demand for skilled architects in various sectors across the country.

7. How to make $100k as an architect?

To earn a six-figure salary as a Licensed Architect, focus on developing your skills and gaining experience. The minimum salary is $124,290, with mid-level positions earning around $138,390 and top earners making up to $153,090. Consider switching jobs for better opportunities, take on more responsibilities, and ensure regular performance reviews to enhance your career growth.

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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