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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Architect Engineer in California is $112,754 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $54.
However, an Architect Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Architect Engineer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $117,672 | $9,806 | $2,263 | $57 |
| Average | $112,754 | $9,396 | $2,168 | $54 |
| 25th Percentile | $102,762 | $8,563 | $1,976 | $49 |
Cleanstart Security Inc - San Francisco, CA
Mission Microwave - Cypress, CA
Irvine Tech Corp - Monrovia, CA
Perfict Global, Inc. - Rocklin, CA
An Architect Engineer'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.
Experience is a primary driver of an Architect Engineer'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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Architect Engineer | $109,284 |
| Intermediate Level Architect Engineer | $109,978 |
| Senior Level Architect Engineer | $111,366 |
| Specialist Level Architect Engineer | $114,322 |
| Expert Level Architect Engineer | $115,997 |
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 Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
For Architect Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 103% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Architect Engineer positions in Transportation or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Architect Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Financial Services | $146,580 | $70.0 | 30% |
| Biotechnology | $140,943 | $68.0 | 25% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $135,305 | $65.0 | 20% |
| Software & Networking | $133,050 | $64.0 | 18% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $129,667 | $62.0 | 15% |
Understanding how an Architect Engineer'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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $117,672 | $9,806 | $2,263 | $57 |
| Average | $112,754 | $9,396 | $2,168 | $54 |
| 25th Percentile | $102,762 | $8,563 | $1,976 | $49 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Architect Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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