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📐 Architect · BLS median $96,690

Architect Salary Calculator: Your Take-Home Pay

The median architect earns $96,690 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2024). Pay rises after licensure and with seniority into project-architect and principal roles; firm partners earn substantially more. The calculator is pre-filled with the median; set your real pay, pick your state, and see your take-home.

● BLS median $96,690 ● State tax included ● 2026 federal data

📐 Architect take-home pay

Architect pay

What architects earn — and keep — in 2026

Architecture pairs design and engineering, and rewards the years of education and licensure it requires. The BLS reports a median architect wage of $96,690 (May 2024). Licensed project architects, principals and firm owners earn more — the top 10% exceed $150,000.

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Licensure lifts pay: Passing the Architect Registration Examination (ARE) and becoming licensed typically brings a raise and access to senior roles. Any licensure or design-award bonus is taxable — add it to your gross for an accurate take-home.

Where an architect's paycheck goes

On the $96,690 median, a single architect pays federal income tax mostly in the 22% bracket after the standard deduction, plus 6.2% Social Security and 1.45% Medicare. Self-employed architects and small-firm partners cover the full self-employment tax and should budget accordingly.

The highest-paying states for architects

Architects earn the most in states with active construction and design markets — including California, New York, Massachusetts, Texas and Washington. Texas and Washington pair strong design pay with no state income tax.

Compare the role with other careers

See how architect pay compares with a civil engineer or graphic designer, or check your exact net in Texas.

Questions

Architect Salary Calculator FAQ

How much does an architect make in 2026?

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $96,690 for architects (May 2024). Licensed project architects, principals and firm owners earn more, and the top 10% exceed $150,000.

What is an architect's take-home pay on $96,690?

A single architect earning the $96,690 median takes home roughly $73,000 to $75,000 a year after federal income tax and FICA in a no-income-tax state, less where state tax applies. Self-employed architects should budget for the full self-employment tax.

Does becoming licensed raise an architect's salary?

Yes. Passing the Architect Registration Examination and becoming licensed allows you to stamp drawings and lead projects, bringing a raise and senior roles. A licensure raise is taxable — enter your actual pay for an accurate take-home.

Which states pay architects the most?

Architects earn the highest wages in active design and construction markets including California, New York, Massachusetts, Texas and Washington. No-income-tax states like Texas and Washington keep more of your salary.

Mustafa Bilgic
Reviewed & maintained by
Mustafa Bilgic — Editor, SalaryCalculator.us

Architect wage data is taken from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook; tax figures from the IRS and SSA.

  • Sources: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — Architects (median $96,690, May 2024) · IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32 · SSA 2026 wage base · State departments of revenue.
  • 🔄 Last updated June 9, 2026 · Tax year 2026

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