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Data Architecture Director Salary in the United States

How much does a Data Architecture Director make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Data Architecture Director in the United States is $226,225 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $109.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $250,912
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $211,394 to $239,147
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $197,891
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Data Architecture Director Salaries

A Data Architecture Director'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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Data Architecture Director Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Data Architecture Director'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 V (7-10 years): $162,899
  • Data Architecture Manager (10+ years): $151,191
  • Data Architecture Senior Manager (10+ years): $185,581
  • Data Architecture Director (10+ years): $226,225
  • Head of Data Architecture (10+ years): $272,317
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Data Architect V7-10 years$162,899
Data Architecture Manager10+ years$151,191
Data Architecture Senior Manager10+ years$185,581
Data Architecture Director10+ years$226,225
Head of Data Architecture10+ years$272,317
View as Graph

How Do Data Architecture Director 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 Architecture Directors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $250,476.
  • California: $249,526.
  • Massachusetts: $246,201.

Top Paying Cities for Data Architecture Directors

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: $285,338
  • San Francisco: $282,213
  • Oakland: $276,266

Data Architecture Director Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Data Architecture Director salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $252,816. While startup companies pay approximate $213,856.

Data Architecture Director Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $213,856
Growth Stage 51~500 $226,175
Established 501~5000 $244,126
Enterprise 5000+ $252,816

Data Architecture Director Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Data Architecture Director roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 48% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Data Architecture Director positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Data Architecture Director as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Data Architecture Director

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$282,781$136.025%
Financial Services$271,470$131.020%
Energy & Utilities$260,159$125.015%
Internet$253,372$122.012%
Biotechnology$248,848$120.010%

Data Architecture Director Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Data Architecture Director'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 September 01, 2026
$211,394
Average $226,225/year
$239,147
$17,616
Average $18,852/month
$19,929
$4,065
Average $4,350/week
$4,599
$102
Average $109/hour
$115
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $239,147 $19,929 $4,599 $115
Average $226,225 $18,852 $4,350 $109
25th Percentile $211,394 $17,616 $4,065 $102

Data Architecture Director Salary Growth & Career Path

Data Architecture Director

Next Role

For a Data Architecture Director, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the VP of Data Architecture role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $272,317 - a projected growth of 20% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Data Architecture Director

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

Common company salaries for Data Architecture Director

Here are companies hiring for Data Architecture Director and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Data Architecture Director

1. Where can a Data Architecture Director earn the most?

A Data Architecture Director'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 Architecture Director earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Data Architecture Director is $285,338.

2. What is the highest pay for Data Architecture Director?

The highest pay for Data Architecture Director is $250,912.

3. What is the lowest pay for Data Architecture Director?

The lowest pay for Data Architecture Director is $197,891.

4. What are the responsibilities of Data Architecture Director?

Directs and implements an organization's data architecture strategy, operations and initiatives. Leads the creation of projects to improve the usability, scalability, efficiency, and security of an organization's data resources. These can include data migrations, data governance initiatives, and data management and architecture projects. Ensures the department has procedures in place to design, develop, and test new and reconfigured data systems effectively and thoroughly. Helps align data systems with broader organizational data solutions and analytics initiatives. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to top management. Manages a departmental sub-function within a broader departmental function. Creates functional strategies and specific objectives for the sub-function and develops budgets/policies/procedures to support the functional infrastructure. Typically requires 5+ years of managerial experience. Deep knowledge of the managed sub-function and solid knowledge of the overall departmental function.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Data Architecture Director?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Data Architecture Director 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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