What are the main factors that influence a Software Research and Design Architect I's salary?

The primary factors are: 1) Experience Level, 2) Geographic Location, 3) Education/Skills, 4) Company Size & Industry

What industry pays the highest salary for Software Research and Design Architect I?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Software Research and Design Architect I roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.

How does experience change A Software Research and Design Architect 's salary?

A Software Research and Design Architect 's salary grows with experience: a Software Research and Design Architect I (0-2 years)earns $77,969, a Software Research and Design Architect II (2-4 years)earns $97,898, a Software Research and Design Architect III (4-7 years)earns $133,411, a Software Research and Design Architect IV (7+ years)earns $151,058, a Software Research and Design Architect V (7-10 years)earns $183,376,

What are the highest paying states for a Software Research and Design Architect I?

Software Research and Design Architect I salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for Software Research and Design Architect I roles are District of Columbia $83,300, California $83,000, Massachusetts $81,900. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of Software Research and Design Architect roles make?

Salaries for Software Research and Design Architect level roles vary by specialization: Software Research and Design Architect VI: $222,000; Software Research and Design Architect Director: $208,400; Software Research and Design Architect V: $176,900; Software Research and Design Architect Senior Manager: $176,900; Software Research and Design Architect Manager: $156,600.

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Software Research and Design Architect I Salary in Rhode Island

How much does a Software Research and Design Architect I make in Rhode Island?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Software Research and Design Architect I in Rhode Island is $78,000 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $38.

However, a Software Research and Design Architect I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

Top Earners (90th percentile): $89,845
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $73,800 to $84,200
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $69,976

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Software Research and Design Architect I Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$84,200	$7,017	$1,619	$40
Average	$78,000	$6,500	$1,500	$38
25th Percentile	$73,800	$6,150	$1,419	$35

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Key Factors That Influence Software Research and Design Architect I Salaries

A Software Research and Design Architect I'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.

How Experience Level Affects Software Research and Design Architect Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Software Research and Design Architect I'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:

Software Research and Design Architect I (0-2 years): $77,969
Software Research and Design Architect II (2-4 years): $97,898
Software Research and Design Architect III (4-7 years): $133,411
Software Research and Design Architect IV (7+ years): $151,058
Software Research and Design Architect V (7-10 years): $183,376

Job Role	Years of Experience	Average Salary
Software Research and Design Architect I	0-2 years	$77,969
Software Research and Design Architect II	2-4 years	$97,898
Software Research and Design Architect III	4-7 years	$133,411
Software Research and Design Architect IV	7+ years	$151,058
Software Research and Design Architect V	7-10 years	$183,376

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What Am I Worth?

How Do Software Research and Design Architect I Salaries Vary from State to State?

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 Software Research and Design Architect Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

District of Columbia: $83,300.
California: $83,000.
Massachusetts: $81,900.

District of Columbia $83,300 California $83,000 Massachusetts $81,900 Washington $81,600 New Jersey $81,600 Alaska $81,500 Connecticut $80,400 New York $80,000

Hawaii $78,700 Rhode Island $78,000 Maryland $77,600 Minnesota $77,000 Colorado $76,800 Illinois $76,700 Oregon $76,400 Delaware $76,200

New Hampshire $76,100 Virginia $75,800 Pennsylvania $74,900 Nevada $74,500 North Dakota $74,300 Michigan $74,100 Wisconsin $74,000 Vermont $73,900

Maine $73,400 Texas $73,400 Arizona $73,300 Ohio $73,300 Georgia $72,600 Indiana $72,200 Wyoming $72,200 Utah $72,100

Iowa $72,000 Kansas $71,700 Louisiana $71,600 Missouri $71,500 North Carolina $71,500 Florida $71,200 Montana $71,000 Nebraska $70,900

Kentucky $70,800 South Carolina $70,500 Tennessee $70,300 Idaho $70,300 New Mexico $69,700 Oklahoma $69,600 Alabama $69,100 South Dakota $68,400

Arkansas $68,000 West Virginia $67,800 Mississippi $67,100

Top Paying Cities for Software Research and Design Architect Is

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:

Adamsville: $79,000
Albion: $78,300
Ashaway: $78,800

Adamsville, RI $79,000 Albion, RI $78,300 Ashaway, RI $78,800 Barrington, RI $78,100 Block Island, RI $78,600 Bradford, RI $78,800 Bristol, RI $78,400 Carolina, RI $78,700

Charlestown, RI $78,700 Chepachet, RI $78,500 Clayville, RI $78,300 Coventry, RI $78,300 West Greenwich, RI $78,500 East Greenwich, RI $78,300 Exeter, RI $78,500 Fiskeville, RI $78,100

Forestdale, RI $78,700 Foster, RI $78,500 Glendale, RI $78,700 Greene, RI $78,600 Greenville, RI $78,100 Harmony, RI $78,300 Harrisville, RI $78,700 Hope, RI $78,200

Hope Valley, RI $78,800 Hopkinton, RI $78,900 Jamestown, RI $78,600 Kenyon, RI $78,700 Little Compton, RI $79,000 Manville, RI $78,400 Mapleville, RI $78,600 Newport, RI $78,700

Middletown, RI $78,700 North Kingstown, RI $78,400 North Scituate, RI $78,300 Oakland, RI $78,600 Pascoag, RI $78,700 Pawtucket, RI $78,000 Central Falls, RI $78,000 Cumberland, RI $78,500

Lincoln, RI $78,100 Portsmouth, RI $78,700 Prudence Island, RI $78,500 Rockville, RI $78,900 Saunderstown, RI $78,600 Shannock, RI $78,700 Slatersville, RI $78,700 Slocum, RI $78,600

Tiverton, RI $78,900 Wakefield, RI $78,600 Kingston, RI $78,600 Narragansett, RI $78,700 Peace Dale, RI $78,600 Warren, RI $78,300 Warwick, RI $78,100 Westerly, RI $78,900

West Kingston, RI $78,600 West Warwick, RI $78,200 Wood River Junction, RI $78,700 Woonsocket, RI $78,700 North Smithfield, RI $78,500 Wyoming, RI $78,700 Providence, RI $78,000 Cranston, RI $78,000

North Providence, RI $78,000 East Providence, RI $78,000 Riverside, RI $78,000 Rumford, RI $78,000 Smithfield, RI $78,200 Johnston, RI $78,000

Software Research and Design Architect I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Software Research and Design Architect I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $87,316. While startup companies pay approximate $73,868.

Software Research and Design Architect I Salary by Company Size

Company Size	Employees	Average Salary
Startup	1~50	$73,868
Growth Stage	51~500	$78,124
Established	501~5000	$84,320
Enterprise	5000+	$87,316

Software Research and Design Architect I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Software Research and Design Architect I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 48% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Internet sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Software Research and Design Architect positions in Transportation or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Software Research and Design Architect I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Software Research and Design Architect I

Industry Sector	Average Annual Salary	Average Hourly Rate	Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology	$97,500	$47.0	25%
Internet	$93,600	$45.0	20%
Healthcare	$89,700	$43.0	15%
Energy & Utilities	$85,800	$41.0	10%
Financial Services	$85,800	$41.0	10%

Software Research and Design Architect I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Software Research and Design Architect I'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, 2026

$73,800

Average $78,000/year

$84,200

$6,150

Average $6,500/month

$7,017

$1,419

Average $1,500/week

$1,619

$35

Average $38/hour

$40

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$84,200	$7,017	$1,619	$40
Average	$78,000	$6,500	$1,500	$38
25th Percentile	$73,800	$6,150	$1,419	$35

Software Research and Design Architect I Salary Growth & Career Path

Software Research and Design Architect I

Application Programmer Analyst II

Software Research and Design Architect II

Backend Applications Developer II

Full Stack Engineer Intermediate

Applications Programming Project Supervisor

VP of Software Research and Design Architecture

Backend Applications Developer III

Full Stack Engineer Senior

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Software Research and Design Architect I, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Software Research and Design Architect I Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role	Estimate Salary	Projected Raise
Application Programmer Analyst II	$98,800	27%
Software Research and Design Architect II	$97,900	26%
Backend Applications Developer II	$108,700	39%
Full Stack Engineer Intermediate	$109,700	41%

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