Architects
Salary, job outlook, AI risk & career information
Architects in the United States earn a median salary of $99,280 per year — about $48 per hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Roughly 124K people work in this occupation nationwide, with projected employment growth of +4%.
AI & Automation Risk
Architects perform high-level knowledge work that is increasingly digital, utilizing CADD and BIM software which is highly susceptible to AI-driven automation in generative design and technical documentation. While the role requires physical site visits and complex client negotiations, a significant portion of the core work—drafting, specification writing, and regulatory compliance—is moving toward high AI integration.
Salary by City — What You Actually Take Home
Real purchasing power = salary adjusted for cost of living. Higher = more money in your pocket.
| City | Local Salary | Cost of Living | Real Purchasing Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid City, SDBEST VALUE | $115,600 | Below avg (89.2) | $129,655 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | $120,460 | Average (98.4) | $122,480 |
| Appleton, WI | $110,990 | Below avg (92.4) | $120,094 |
| Modesto, CA | $124,810 | Above avg (104.1) | $119,885 |
| Redding, CA | $120,060 | Average (100.7) | $119,244 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $125,980 | Above avg (106.7) | $118,103 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $102,120 | Below avg (86.7) | $117,836 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $129,640 | Above avg (110.4) | $117,403 |
| Mobile, AL | $103,380 | Below avg (88.1) | $117,347 |
| Glens Falls, NY | $111,200 | Below avg (94.9) | $117,218 |
| Watertown-Fort Drum, NY | $102,490 | Below avg (87.7) | $116,878 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $104,650 | Below avg (90.6) | $115,468 |
| Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | $114,880 | Average (100.2) | $114,602 |
| Binghamton, NY | $105,600 | Below avg (92.9) | $113,716 |
| Gulfport-Biloxi, MS | $101,650 | Below avg (90.0) | $112,937 |