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

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for an Architect II in the United States is $75,886 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $36.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $85,238
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $69,070 to $80,781
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $62,864

Key Factors That Influence Architect II Salaries

An Architect II'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 II Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Architect II'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): $62,485
  • Architect II (2-4 years): $75,886
  • Architect III (4-7 years): $93,517
  • Architect IV (7+ years): $111,844
  • Architect V (7-10 years): $131,535
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Architect I0-2 years$62,485
Architect II2-4 years$75,886
Architect III4-7 years$93,517
Architect IV7+ years$111,844
Architect V7-10 years$131,535

Top Paying Cities for Architect IIs

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: $95,715
  • San Francisco: $94,667
  • Oakland: $92,672

What Skills Can Increase an Architect II's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Coordination (Mentioned in 6.34% Job Postings): Ability to plan, execute, and adjust job duties to achieve business goals.
  • Programming (Mentioned in 1.86% Job Postings): Executing logic to facilitate computing operations and functionality in one or more languages.
  • Adobe (Mentioned in 1.2% 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 6.34%
Programming 1.86%
Adobe 1.2%

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 II's salary.

  • Azure: Can increase your salary by up to 21%.
  • Risk Management: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • Business Development: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Azure $91,822
21%
Risk Management $84,233
11%
Business Development $80,439
6%

Architect II Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Architect II salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $82,402. While startup companies pay approximate $69,930.

Architect II Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $69,930
Growth Stage 51~500 $73,901
Established 501~5000 $79,609
Enterprise 5000+ $82,402

Architect II Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Architect II roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 100% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Healthcare and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Architect positions in Retail & Wholesale or Construction typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Architect II as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Architect II

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$106,240$51.040%
Business Services$91,063$44.020%
Energy & Utilities$83,475$40.010%

How Education impacts an Architect II's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Architect II 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 II with a Bachelor's Degree is between $83,821 and $88,606.

Architect II Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Architect II
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.2%
High School 0.2%
Associates 1.2%
Bachelors 42.6%
Masters 54.7%
Doctorate 1.2%

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

Understanding how an Architect II'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 October 01, 2026
$69,070
Average $75,886/year
$80,781
$5,756
Average $6,324/month
$6,732
$1,328
Average $1,459/week
$1,553
$33
Average $36/hour
$39
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $80,781 $6,732 $1,553 $39
Average $75,886 $6,324 $1,459 $36
25th Percentile $69,070 $5,756 $1,328 $33

Architect II Salary Growth & Career Path

Next Role

Advancement

For an Architect II, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Architect III role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $93,517 - a projected growth of 23% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Architect II

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

Common company salaries for Architect II

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

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FAQ about Architect II

1. Where can an Architect II earn the most?

An Architect II'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 II earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of an Architect II is $95,715.

2. What is the highest pay for Architect II?

The highest pay for Architect II is $85,238.

3. What is the lowest pay for Architect II?

The lowest pay for Architect II is $62,864.

4. What are the responsibilities of Architect II?

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. Occasionally directed in several aspects of the work. Gaining exposure to some of the complex tasks within the job function. Typically requires 2-4 years of related experience.

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

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Architect II roles, with salaries approximately 40% 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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