As of May 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for an Architect III in the United States is $45, which translates to an annual salary of about $93,508.
However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:
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An Architect III'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.
Experience is a primary driver of an Architect III'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 |
|---|---|---|
| Architect I | 0-2 years | $62,502 |
| Architect II | 2-4 years | $75,903 |
| Architect III | 4-7 years | $93,508 |
| Architect IV | 7+ years | $111,907 |
| Architect V | 7-10 years | $131,652 |
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 Architect IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Leadership | 5.15% |
| Construction Administration | 2.11% |
| Conceptual Design | 1.31% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
API
|
$103,794 |
11%
|
|
Azure
|
$103,794 |
11%
|
|
ERP
|
$102,859 |
10%
|
|
Oracle
|
$101,924 |
9%
|
|
Insight
|
$100,054 |
7%
|
|
Analysis
|
$97,248 |
4%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Architect IIIs 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 an Architect III with a Bachelor's Degree is between $98,345 and $104,968).
Architect III Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 0.1% |
| High School | 0.6% |
| Associates | 0.9% |
| Bachelors | 46.0% |
| Masters | 51.6% |
| Doctorate | 0.8% |
Understanding how an Architect III'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 May 01, 2026Salaries for an Architect III can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $81,702 in 2023 to around $80,643 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Architect III salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $81,702 |
| 2024 | $81,450 |
| 2025 | $80,643 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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Responsible for minor or small architectural projects. Selects, evaluates, and implements architectural procedures and techniques used to complete projects. Prepares sketches, drawings, and schematic designs. Prepares project estimates and completes architectural plans/renderings. Prepares reports and specifications as requested. Typically requires the use of more advanced techniques. May supervise and guide the work of lower-level architects. Requires a bachelor's degree in architecture. Requires a State Architect's License. Typically reports to a manager. Work is generally independent and collaborative in nature. Contributes to moderately complex aspects of a project. Typically requires 4-7 years of related experience.
Specify the abilities and skills that a person needs in order to carry out the specified job duties. Each competency has five to ten behavioral assertions that can be observed, each with a corresponding performance level (from one to five) that is required for a particular job.
Leadership: Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
Construction Administration: The process that the designer goes through to stay involved during the construction process to help solve problems and assist with delivering high-quality projects.
Conceptual Design: Conceptual Design is an early phase of the design process, in which the broad outlines of function and form of something are articulated. It includes the design of interactions, experiences, processes and strategies. It involves an understanding of people's needs - and how to meet them with products, services, & processes. Common artifacts of conceptual design are concept sketches and models.
Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
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