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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Project Architect Manager in California is $158,590 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $76.
However, a Project Architect Manager's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Project Architect Manager Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $176,690 | $14,724 | $3,398 | $85 |
| Average | $158,590 | $13,216 | $3,050 | $76 |
| 25th Percentile | $145,190 | $12,099 | $2,792 | $70 |
KSP Studio - Irvine, CA
KSP Studio - San Diego, CA
dsk architects - Oakland, CA
Harrison Consulting Solutions - Sacramento, CA
A Project Architect Manager'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, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Project Architect Manager'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, Specialist | 7+ years | $123,392 |
| Design Architect, Master | 7-10 years | $145,135 |
| Architect Team Leader | 10+ years | $126,019 |
| Project Architect Manager | 10+ years | $158,532 |
| Architectural Team Manager | 10+ years | $195,803 |
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 Project Architect Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
Project Architect Manager salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $172,575. While startup companies pay approximate $146,274.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $146,274 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $154,632 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $166,736 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $172,575 |
For Project Architect Manager 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 Energy & Utilities and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Project Architect Manager positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Construction typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Project Architect Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy & Utilities | $190,308 | $91.0 | 20% |
| Business Services | $174,449 | $84.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Project Architect Manager'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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $176,690 | $14,724 | $3,398 | $85 |
| Average | $158,590 | $13,216 | $3,050 | $76 |
| 25th Percentile | $145,190 | $12,099 | $2,792 | $70 |
For a Project Architect Manager, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Architectural Team Manager role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $195,900 - a projected growth of 24% over your current level.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Project Architect Manager job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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