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Architect I Salary in the United States

How much does an Architect I make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Architect I in the United States is $62,488 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $30.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $73,958
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $55,285 to $68,492
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $48,727
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Architect I Salaries

An 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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Architect I Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an 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:

  • Architect I (0-2 years): $62,488
  • Architect II (2-4 years): $75,889
  • Architect III (4-7 years): $93,515
  • Architect IV (7+ years): $111,857
  • Architect V (7-10 years): $131,558
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Architect I0-2 years$62,488
Architect II2-4 years$75,889
Architect III4-7 years$93,515
Architect IV7+ years$111,857
Architect V7-10 years$131,558
View as Graph

How Do Architect Is 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 Architect Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $69,187.
  • California: $68,924.
  • Massachusetts: $68,006.

Top Paying Cities for Architect I

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: $78,816
  • San Francisco: $77,953
  • Oakland: $76,310

What Skills Can Increase an Architect I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 5.12% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Adobe (Mentioned in 1.96% 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
  • Conceptualization (Mentioned in 1.36% Job Postings): Conceptualization is a process that involves coming up with clear, concise definitions. It is the reverse process of conception.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 5.12%
Adobe 1.96%
Conceptualization 1.36%
See More Skills

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 an Architect I's salary.

  • AWS: Can increase your salary by up to 36%.
  • Azure: Can increase your salary by up to 33%.
  • Salesforce: Can increase your salary by up to 26%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
AWS $84,984
36%
Azure $83,109
33%
Salesforce $78,735
26%
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Architect I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Architect I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $67,890. While startup companies pay approximate $57,536.

Architect I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $57,536
Growth Stage 51~500 $60,824
Established 501~5000 $65,588
Enterprise 5000+ $67,890

Architect I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Architect I 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, Architect positions in Retail & Wholesale or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Architect I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Architect I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Energy & Utilities$78,110$38.025%
Construction$74,986$36.020%
Business Services$65,612$32.05%

How Education impacts an Architect I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Architect I enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Architect I with a Bachelor's Degree is between $65,537 and $68,762.

Architect I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Architect I
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%
View as Graph

Architect I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an 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 September 01, 2026
$55,285
Average $62,488/year
$68,492
$4,607
Average $5,207/month
$5,708
$1,063
Average $1,202/week
$1,317
$27
Average $30/hour
$33
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $68,492 $5,708 $1,317 $33
Average $62,488 $5,207 $1,202 $30
25th Percentile $55,285 $4,607 $1,063 $27

Architect I Salary Growth & Career Path

Architect I

Next Role

Advancement

For an Architect I, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Architect II role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $75,889 - a projected growth of 21% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Architect I

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

Common company salaries for Architect I

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

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Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Architect I job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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FAQ about Architect I

1. Where can an Architect I earn the most?

An Architect I's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, an Architect I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of an Architect I is $78,816.

2. What is the highest pay for Architect I?

The highest pay for Architect I is $73,958.

3. What is the lowest pay for Architect I?

The lowest pay for Architect I is $48,727.

4. What are the responsibilities of Architect I?

Responsible for performing design computations, compiling data, and completing rudimentary architectural assignments. Works from the designs of others to prepare sketches, preliminary drawings, and schematic designs. Prepares project estimates and completes architectural plans/renderings following specific instructions. Prepares reports and specifications as requested. May participate in an architectural internship or professional development program. May be working towards obtaining architecture license. Requires a bachelor's degree in architecture. Typically reports to a manager. Work is closely managed. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Architect I?

The Energy & Utilities industry offers the highest average compensation for Architect I roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.

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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