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Data Architect III Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Data Architect III in the United States is $127,525 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $61.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $145,006
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $118,702 to $136,675
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $110,669
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Data Architect III Salaries

A Data 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 Data Architect III Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Data 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:

  • 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 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 Data Architect IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $141,196.
  • California: $140,660.
  • Massachusetts: $138,785.

Top Paying Cities for Data 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: $160,847
  • San Francisco: $159,086
  • Oakland: $155,734

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 3.65% 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 3.58% Job Postings): Data modeling in software engineering is the process of creating a data model for an information system by applying certain formal techniques.
  • Agile (Mentioned in 2.28% Job Postings): Agile is a development process where feedback is continuously gathered from users to create the best user experience.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 3.65%
Data Modeling 3.58%
Agile 2.28%
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 III's salary.

  • Innovation: Can increase your salary by up to 2%.
  • Team Building: Can increase your salary by up to 2%.
  • AWS: Can increase your salary by up to 2%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Innovation $130,076
2%
Team Building $130,076
2%
AWS $130,076
2%
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Data Architect III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Data Architect III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $142,757. While startup companies pay approximate $120,769.

Data Architect III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $120,769
Growth Stage 51~500 $127,727
Established 501~5000 $137,857
Enterprise 5000+ $142,757

Data Architect III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Data Architect III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 50% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Energy & Utilities and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 28% above the average. In contrast, Data Architect positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Data Architect III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Data Architect III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Energy & Utilities$163,232$78.028%
Pharmaceuticals$156,856$75.023%
Aerospace & Defense$150,480$72.018%
Healthcare$144,103$69.013%
Construction$137,727$66.08%

How Education impacts an Data Architect III's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Data 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 Data Architect III with a Bachelor's Degree is between $126,386 and $134,770.

Data Architect III Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Data Architect III
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 3.5%
High School 4.7%
Associates 4.7%
Bachelors 60.0%
Masters 27.1%
Doctorate 0.0%
View as Graph

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

Understanding how a Data 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
$118,702
Average $127,525/year
$136,675
$9,892
Average $10,627/month
$11,390
$2,283
Average $2,452/week
$2,628
$57
Average $61/hour
$66
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $136,675 $11,390 $2,628 $66
Average $127,525 $10,627 $2,452 $61
25th Percentile $118,702 $9,892 $2,283 $57

Data Architect III Salary Growth & Career Path

Data Architect III

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Advancement

For a Data Architect III, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Data Architect IV role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $141,521 - a projected growth of 11% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Data Architect III

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

Common company salaries for Data Architect III

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

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FAQ about Data Architect III

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

A Data 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, a Data Architect III earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Data Architect III is $160,847.

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

The highest pay for Data Architect III is $145,006.

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

The lowest pay for Data Architect III is $110,669.

4. What are the responsibilities of Data Architect III?

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 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 Data Architect III?

The Energy & Utilities industry offers the highest average compensation for Data Architect III roles, with salaries approximately 28% 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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