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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Chief Architect in Washington is $140,942 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $68.
However, a Chief Architect's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Chief Architect Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $149,389 | $12,449 | $2,873 | $72 |
| Average | $140,942 | $11,745 | $2,710 | $68 |
| 25th Percentile | $130,234 | $10,853 | $2,505 | $63 |
Confidential - Seattle, WA
Socure - Seattle, WA
Xcel Energy - MINNEAPOLIS, MN
Kaiser Permanente - COUNTRY PARK ACRES, NC
A Chief Architect'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 a Chief Architect'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 |
|---|---|
| Architect... Level Chief Architect | $99,723 |
| Architect... Level Chief Architect | $119,298 |
| Chief Arc... Level Chief Architect | $140,320 |
| Architect... Level Chief Architect | $121,838 |
| Architect... Level Chief Architect | $153,273 |
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 Chief Architects. 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 Chief Architect roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit and Retail & Wholesale sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Chief Architect positions in Business Services or Energy & Utilities typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Chief Architect as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit | $169,130 | $81.0 | 20% |
| Retail & Wholesale | $155,036 | $75.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Chief Architect'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 | $149,389 | $12,449 | $2,873 | $72 |
| Average | $140,942 | $11,745 | $2,710 | $68 |
| 25th Percentile | $130,234 | $10,853 | $2,505 | $63 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Chief Architect job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Geodis
BRENTWOOD, TN
Geodis | BRENTWOOD, TN
Sr IT Architect- Database Who We Are: GEODIS specializes in unlocking business value in a complex world, ensuring seamless movement of goods worldwide. As ... more
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Govcio LLC
FORT GEORGE G MEADE, MD
Govcio LLC | FORT GEORGE G MEADE, MD
Overview: GovCIO is currently hiring for a Systems Architect to design end to end technical architecture. This position will be located in Fort Meade, MD a... more
6 Days Ago
Govcio LLC
LANGLEY, VA
Govcio LLC | LANGLEY, VA
Overview: GovCIO is currently hiring for a ServiceNow Certified Technical Architect to lead the architecture, design, and implementation of enterprise scal... more
8 Days Ago
UniFirst
WILMINGTON, MA
UniFirst | WILMINGTON, MA
Description: UniFirst Corporation is seeking a full-time SAP Technical Lead Architect to join our IT department. The SAP Technical Lead Architect will prov... more
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C.T. Male Associates
LATHAM, NY
C.T. Male Associates | LATHAM, NY
Location: Latham, NY, US 12110 Job Type: Full Time Job Classification: Salaried Exemption Type: Exempt Education: Bachelor's Degree Travel: None Descriptio... more
6 Days Ago
National Radio Astronomy Observatory
NEWCOMB HALL, VA
National Radio Astronomy Observatory | NEWCOMB HALL, VA
National Radio Astronomy Observatory Title: FPGA System Architect - Electronics Engineer Location: NRAO Central Development Lab, 1180 Boxwood Estate Rd, CH... more
14 Days Ago
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