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Data Architect I Salary in the United States

How much does a Data Architect I make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Data Architect I in the United States is $81,184 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $39.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $93,472
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $69,166 to $87,616
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $58,224
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Data Architect I Salaries

A Data 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 Data Architect I Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Data 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:

  • Data Architect I (0-2 years): $81,184
  • Data Architect II (2-4 years): $107,850
  • Data Architect III (4-7 years): $127,525
  • Data Architect IV (7+ years): $141,521
  • Data Architect V (7-10 years): $162,900
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Data Architect I0-2 years$81,184
Data Architect II2-4 years$107,850
Data Architect III4-7 years$127,525
Data Architect IV7+ years$141,521
Data Architect V7-10 years$162,900
View as Graph

How Do Data 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 Data Architect Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $89,887.
  • California: $89,546.
  • Massachusetts: $88,353.

Top Paying Cities for Data 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: $102,397
  • San Francisco: $101,276
  • Oakland: $99,142

What Skills Can Increase a Data Architect I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 3.96% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Data Modeling (Mentioned in 3.39% Job Postings): Data modeling in software engineering is the process of creating a data model for an information system by applying certain formal techniques.
  • Data Warehousing (Mentioned in 2.3% Job Postings): Data warehouse (DW or DWH), also known as an enterprise data warehouse (EDW), is a system used for reporting and data analysis and is considered a core component of business intelligence.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 3.96%
Data Modeling 3.39%
Data Warehousing 2.3%
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 a Data Architect I's salary.

  • Team Building: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • Data Integration: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • Partnering: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Team Building $90,114
11%
Data Integration $89,302
10%
Partnering $88,491
9%
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Data Architect I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Data Architect I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $90,881. While startup companies pay approximate $76,883.

Data Architect I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $76,883
Growth Stage 51~500 $81,313
Established 501~5000 $87,762
Enterprise 5000+ $90,881

Data Architect I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Data Architect I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 65% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Data Architect positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Data Architect I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Data Architect I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$113,658$55.040%
Financial Services$105,539$51.030%
Software & Networking$101,480$49.025%
Biotechnology$97,421$47.020%
Internet$93,362$45.015%

How Education impacts an Data Architect I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Data 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 Data Architect I with a Bachelor's Degree is between $85,072 and $89,521.

Data Architect I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Data Architect I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.9%
High School 10.6%
Associates 8.8%
Bachelors 51.3%
Masters 26.5%
Doctorate 1.8%
View as Graph

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

Understanding how a Data 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
$69,166
Average $81,184/year
$87,616
$5,764
Average $6,765/month
$7,301
$1,330
Average $1,561/week
$1,685
$33
Average $39/hour
$42
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $87,616 $7,301 $1,685 $42
Average $81,184 $6,765 $1,561 $39
25th Percentile $69,166 $5,764 $1,330 $33

Data Architect I Salary Growth & Career Path

Data Architect I

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Data 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.

Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Data Modeling Analyst $105,456 30%
Data Architect II $107,850 33%

Most common benefits for Data Architect I

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

Common company salaries for Data Architect I

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

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FAQ about Data Architect I

1. Where can a Data Architect I earn the most?

A Data 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, a Data Architect I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Data Architect I is $102,397.

2. What is the highest pay for Data Architect I?

The highest pay for Data Architect I is $93,472.

3. What is the lowest pay for Data Architect I?

The lowest pay for Data Architect I is $58,224.

4. What are the responsibilities of Data Architect I?

Designs and builds databases for data storage or processing. Develops strategies for warehouse implementation, data acquisition and access, and data archiving and recovery. Builds data models and defines the structure, attributes and nomenclature of data elements. May evaluate new data sources for adherence to the organization's quality standards and ease of integration. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a supervisor or 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 Data Architect I?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Data Architect I 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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