As of April 01, 2025, the average annual salary for a Design Architect, Specialist in the United States is $111,300. According to Salary.com, salaries can range from a low of $95,443 to a high of $131,360, with most professionals earning between $103,000 and $121,800.
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $121,800 | $10,150 | $2,342 | $59 |
| Average | $111,300 | $9,275 | $2,140 | $54 |
| 25th Percentile | $103,000 | $8,583 | $1,981 | $50 |
An entry-level Design Architect, Specialist with less than 1 year of experience earns about $106,964. With 1-2 years of experience, the average salary increases to $107,584. For 2-4 years of experience, the pay typically rises to $108,575. Senior-level professionals with 5-8 years of experience earn around $110,061, and those with over 8 years of experience can expect an average of $112,397.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Design Architect, Specialist | $106,964 |
| Intermediate Level Design Architect, Specialist | $107,584 |
| Senior Level Design Architect, Specialist | $108,575 |
| Specialist Level Design Architect, Specialist | $110,061 |
| Expert Level Design Architect, Specialist | $112,397 |
| Entry Level | 4% |
| Mid Level | 3% |
| Senior Level | 2% |
| Top Level | 1% |
| Experienced | 1% |
Salaries in the United States differ widely between states due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
What Am I Worth?
Salaries in the United States can vary greatly between cities due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
As of April 01, 2025, our research reveals a significant shift in Design Architect, Specialist compensation over the past six years. For example, the median salary increased from $102,363 in 2023 to approximately $102,882 in 2024. (For a detailed analysis of Design Architect, Specialist salary trends, click here.)
Key factors like location, experience, industry demand, and economic growth significantly influence salary variations, making them important to consider.
Salary.com job board provides millions of Design Architect, Specialist information for you to search for. Click on search button below to see Design Architect, Specialist job openings or enter a new job title here.
Here are companies hiring for Design Architect, Specialist and their salaries, click below for more details.
| Core Compensation | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Base Salary | $111,300 | 73.3% | ||
| Bonus | $0 | 0.0% | ||
| Value of Benefits | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Social Security | $8,514 | 5.6% | ||
| 401K/403B | $5,231 | 3.4% | ||
| Disability | $890 | 0.6% | ||
| Healthcare | $6,056 | 4.0% | ||
| Pension | $6,122 | 4.0% | ||
| Time Off | $13,698 | 9.0% | ||
| Total Compensation | $151,812 | 100% | ||
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 0.2% |
| High School | 0.3% |
| Associates | 2.0% |
| Bachelors | 45.4% |
| Masters | 51.7% |
| Doctorate | 0.4% |
What Am I Worth?
Design Architects in the US earn a salary range with a minimum of $124,300, a mid-level salary of $138,400, and a maximum of $153,100. This reflects a more specialized role compared to general architects, highlighting the higher earning potential in this field.
While the annual salary of a Design Architect ranges from $124,300 to $153,100, the most celebrated architects earn significantly more. Notably, Norman Foster is recognized as one of the wealthiest architects, boasting a net worth of $240 million. His success highlights the potential for substantial earnings in the field of architecture.
To become a design specialist, you typically need a bachelor's degree in design or a related field, along with a strong portfolio demonstrating your skills. Salaries for design architects range from $124,300 to $153,100, with a median salary of $138,400, reflecting the demand and expertise in this field.
The highest paying job in the design field is a Design Architect, Specialist, with a salary range from $124,300 to $153,100. The average salary is approximately $138,400, making it a lucrative career choice for those with the right skills and experience in architecture and design.
Yes, architects can certainly make over $100,000. The salary range for a Design Architect Specialist is between $124,300 and $153,100 annually, with a mid-salary of $138,400. This position typically requires 8+ years of experience in project design, covering all phases from Schematic Design to Construction Administration.
Principal Architect is one of the highest positions in architecture, often held by firm owners or partners. They oversee design philosophy and firm management while contributing to industry thought leadership. Salaries for this role typically range from $124,300 to $153,100, with a mid-salary of $138,400, reflecting their significant responsibilities and expertise.
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.
