How To Use / Definitions

If you are earlier in your career, or have recently moved to a new position, your salary will most likely be closer to the 25^th percentile number. If you are more experienced, or have been in your position longer, you are more likely to be closer to the median or 75^th percentile number.

Location may also impact where you fall in the salary range; if you live in an area with a higher cost of living, or a larger metro area, you may be closer to the median and 75^th percentile numbers, whereas if you are in an area with a lower cost of living, or a smaller metro area, you may be closer to the 25^th percentile number.

It is important to note that salaries may also vary significantly within regions of the country, based on the metro area you are located closest to within that region. Salaries may also vary widely within the same position title, based on your exact roles and responsibilities. You can learn more about regional differences in salary and the impact of the cost of living in different areas at https://www.aia.org/sites/default/files/2024-05/2023-aia-compensation-and-benefits-report-cost-of-living-infographic-revised.pdf.

These are descriptive of positions at architecture firms for classification and salary reporting purposes and not intended to be recommended as specific titles for unlicensed staff working at architecture firms. Please check with your licensing board for title restrictions.

Each establishment reported the average annual full-time base pay received per person in that position as of Jan. 1, 2023.

The average additional cash compensation (beyond base pay) received per person in 2022 (if any), including overtime (discretionary and/or mandated by law), commissions, bonuses, incentive pay, share of profits, retirement benefits paid, and any other cash compensation. Additional cash compensation excludes base pay, deferred compensation, and the monetary value of employee benefits.

The 25^th percentile marks where 25% of the reported values are lower than the figure given and 75% are higher.

The median is calculated by rank ordering all responses and then selecting (or interpolating) the value below which 50% of all responses lie. It is often thought of as the “typical” value of a variable and is not influenced by extreme values in the distribution. Also known as the 50^th percentile.

The 75^th percentile marks where 75% of the reported values are lower than the figure given and 25% are higher.

The number of responding establishments meeting the selection criteria and reporting the position.

The total number employed full-time in the position across all reporting establishments as of Jan. 1, 2023 (excludes part-time employees and contractors).

The location of the establishment using US Census Divisions; constituent states are shown below.

New England
CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT
Salaries in this region may be more influenced by responses from firms in the following specific states and metro areas: Connecticut, Massachusetts, Boston.

Middle Atlantic
NJ, NY, PA
Salaries in this region may be more influenced by responses from firms in the following specific states and metro areas: New Jersey, New York, New York City, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh.

East North Central
IL, IN, MI, OH, WI
Salaries in this region may be more influenced by responses from firms in the following specific states and metro areas: Illinois, Chicago, Indiana, Indianapolis, Michigan, Detroit, Ohio, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Wisconsin, Milwaukee.

West North Central
IA, KS, MN, MO, NE, ND, SD
Salaries in this region may be more influenced by responses from firms in the following specific states and metro areas: Iowa, Des Moines, Kansas, Minnesota, Minneapolis, Missouri, Kansas City, St. Louis, Nebraska, Omaha.

South Atlantic
DC, DE, FL, GA, MD, NC, SC, VA, WV
Salaries in this region may be more influenced by responses from firms in the following specific states and metro areas: Florida, Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Georgia, Atlanta, Maryland, Baltimore, North Carolina, Charlotte, Raleigh, South Carolina, Virginia, Washington, DC.

East South Central
AL, KY, MS, TN
Salaries in this region may be more influenced by responses from firms in the following specific states and metro areas: Kentucky, Tennessee, Nashville.

West South Central
AR, LA, OK, TX
Salaries in this region may be more influenced by responses from firms in the following specific states and metro areas: Louisiana, New Orleans, Oklahoma, Texas, Austin, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio.

Mountain
AZ, CO, ID, MT, NM, NV, UT, WY
Salaries in this region may be more influenced by responses from firms in the following specific states and metro areas: Arizona, Phoenix, Colorado, Denver, Montana, Nevada, Las Vegas, Utah, Salt Lake City.

Pacific
AK, CA, HI, OR, WA
Salaries in this region may be more influenced by responses from firms in the following specific states and metro areas: California, Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, Hawaii, Honolulu, Oregon, Portland, Washington, Seattle.

The average estimated value of all automatic and defined fringe benefits (noting that benefits included will vary by firm) offered to given employee types in 2022, as a percentage of annual base pay, by firm size. Items that depend on financial performance, such as profit-sharing and discretionary year-end bonuses, are excluded.