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Architect III Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Architect III in the United States is $93,513 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $45.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $110,098
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $85,236 to $102,194
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $77,700
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Architect III Salaries

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.

How Experience Level Affects Architect III Salaries?

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:

  • Architect I (0-2 years): $62,492
  • Architect II (2-4 years): $75,893
  • Architect III (4-7 years): $93,513
  • Architect IV (7+ years): $111,869
  • Architect V (7-10 years): $131,582
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Architect I0-2 years$62,492
Architect II2-4 years$75,893
Architect III4-7 years$93,513
Architect IV7+ years$111,869
Architect V7-10 years$131,582
View as Graph

How Do Architect IIIs 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 IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $103,538.
  • California: $103,145.
  • Massachusetts: $101,770.

Top Paying Cities for Architect III

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: $117,948
  • San Francisco: $116,657
  • Oakland: $114,198

What Skills Can Increase an Architect III's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 5.15% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Construction Administration (Mentioned in 2.11% Job Postings): 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 (Mentioned in 1.31% Job Postings): 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.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 5.15%
Construction Administration 2.11%
Conceptual Design 1.31%
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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 III's salary.

  • API: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • Azure: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • ERP: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
API $103,799
11%
Azure $103,799
11%
ERP $102,864
10%
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Architect III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Architect III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $101,759. While startup companies pay approximate $86,251.

Architect III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $86,251
Growth Stage 51~500 $91,179
Established 501~5000 $98,316
Enterprise 5000+ $101,759

Architect III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Architect III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 45% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit and Construction sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Architect positions in Retail & Wholesale or Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Architect III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Architect III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit$116,891$56.025%
Construction$102,864$49.010%

How Education impacts an Architect III's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Architect III 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 III with a Bachelor's Degree is between $98,345 and $104,968.

Architect III Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Architect III
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%
View as Graph

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

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 August 01, 2026
$85,236
Average $93,513/year
$102,194
$7,103
Average $7,793/month
$8,516
$1,639
Average $1,798/week
$1,965
$41
Average $45/hour
$49
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $102,194 $8,516 $1,965 $49
Average $93,513 $7,793 $1,798 $45
25th Percentile $85,236 $7,103 $1,639 $41

Architect III Salary Growth & Career Path

Architect III

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Advancement

For an Architect III, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Architect IV role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $111,869 - a projected growth of 20% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Architect III

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

Common company salaries for Architect III

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

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FAQ about Architect III

1. Where can an Architect III earn the most?

An Architect III'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 III earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of an Architect III is $117,948.

2. What is the highest pay for Architect III?

The highest pay for Architect III is $110,098.

3. What is the lowest pay for Architect III?

The lowest pay for Architect III is $77,700.

4. What are the responsibilities of Architect III?

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.

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

The Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit industry offers the highest average compensation for Architect III 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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