What are the main factors that influence an Architectural Lighting Designer's salary?

The primary factors are: 1) Experience Level, 2) Geographic Location, 3) Education/Skills, 4) Company Size & Industry

What industry pays the highest salary for Architectural Lighting Designer?

The Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit industry offers the highest average compensation for Architectural Lighting Designer roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.

How does experience change An Architectural Lighting Designer's salary?

An Architectural Lighting Designer's salary grows with experience: an Architect I (0-2 years)earns $68,565, an Architect II (2-4 years)earns $83,267, an Architectural Lighting Designer (4-7 years)earns $102,594, an Architect IV (7+ years)earns $122,748, an Architect V (7-10 years)earns $144,387,

What are the highest paying states for an Architectural Lighting Designer?

Architectural Lighting Designer salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for Architectural Lighting Designer roles are District of Columbia $103,305, California $102,913, Massachusetts $101,542. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of Architectural Lighting Designer roles make?

Salaries for Architectural Lighting Designer level roles vary by specialization: Architectural Construction Designer: $106,136; Architectural Drafter/Designer: $97,365; Architectural Draftsman/Designer: $94,358; Senior Architectural Designer: $93,849; Architectural Designer: $91,966.

Architectural Lighting Designer Salary in District of Columbia

How much does an Architectural Lighting Designer make in District of Columbia?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for an Architectural Lighting Designer in District of Columbia is $103,305 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $50.

However, an Architectural Lighting Designer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

Top Earners (90th percentile): $121,771
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $94,324 to $112,971
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $86,146

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Architectural Lighting Designer Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$112,971	$9,414	$2,173	$54
Average	$103,305	$8,609	$1,987	$50
25th Percentile	$94,324	$7,860	$1,814	$45

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Key Factors That Influence Architectural Lighting Designer Salaries

An Architectural Lighting Designer'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 Architectural Lighting Designer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Architectural Lighting Designer'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:

Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $68,565
Early Career (1-2 years): $83,267
Mid-Level (2-4 years): $102,594
Senior-Level (5-8 years): $122,748
Expert (over 8 years): $144,387

Levels	Salary
Architect... Level Architectural Lighting Designer	$68,565
Architect... Level Architectural Lighting Designer	$83,267
Architect... Level Architectural Lighting Designer	$102,594
Architect... Level Architectural Lighting Designer	$122,748
Architect... Level Architectural Lighting Designer	$144,387

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How Do Architectural Lighting Designer 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 Architectural Lighting Designers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

District of Columbia: $103,305.
California: $102,913.
Massachusetts: $101,542.

District of Columbia $103,305 California $102,913 Massachusetts $101,542 Washington $101,168 New Jersey $101,131 Alaska $101,000 Connecticut $99,713 New York $99,190

Hawaii $97,520 Rhode Island $96,737 Maryland $96,205 Minnesota $95,477 Colorado $95,197 Illinois $95,104 Oregon $94,749 Delaware $94,488

New Hampshire $94,324 Virginia $93,956 Pennsylvania $92,883 Nevada $92,342 North Dakota $92,165 Michigan $91,885 Wisconsin $91,782 Vermont $91,577

Texas $91,008 Maine $90,970 Arizona $90,914 Ohio $90,849 Georgia $89,991 Indiana $89,562 Wyoming $89,478 Utah $89,347

Iowa $89,291 Kansas $88,843 Louisiana $88,712 North Carolina $88,666 Missouri $88,647 Florida $88,283 Montana $88,087 Nebraska $87,901

Kentucky $87,798 South Carolina $87,425 Tennessee $87,192 Idaho $87,098 New Mexico $86,417 Oklahoma $86,268 Alabama $85,717 South Dakota $84,794

Arkansas $84,290 West Virginia $84,019 Mississippi $83,208

Top Paying Cities for Architectural Lighting Designers

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:

Parcel Return Service: $102,744
Washington: $102,745
Naval Anacost Annex: $102,741

Parcel Return Service, DC $102,744 Washington, DC $102,745 Naval Anacost Annex, DC $102,741 Washington Navy Yard, DC $102,744

Architectural Lighting Designer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Architectural Lighting Designer 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, Architectural Lighting Designer positions in Retail & Wholesale or Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Architectural Lighting Designer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Architectural Lighting Designer

Industry Sector	Average Annual Salary	Average Hourly Rate	Pay vs.Avg
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit	$129,131	$62.0	25%
Construction	$113,636	$55.0	10%

Architectural Lighting Designer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Architectural Lighting Designer'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 July 01, 2026

$94,324

Average $103,305/year

$112,971

$7,860

Average $8,609/month

$9,414

$1,814

Average $1,987/week

$2,173

$45

Average $50/hour

$54

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$112,971	$9,414	$2,173	$54
Average	$103,305	$8,609	$1,987	$50
25th Percentile	$94,324	$7,860	$1,814	$45

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