How much does an Architecte make in San Francisco, CA?

The average salary for an Architecte is $146,300 per year in San Francisco, CA. Salaries estimates are based on 5784 salaries submitted anonymously to Glassdoor by an Architecte employees in San Francisco, CA.

The highest salary for an Architecte in San Francisco, CA is $184,397 per year.

The lowest salary for an Architecte in San Francisco, CA is $116,601 per year.

If you are thinking of becoming an Architecte or planning the next step in your career, find details about the role, the career path and salary trajectory of an Architecte.

Architect salaries are generally high, reflecting the field’s significant barriers to entry. The pay is similar to that of civil engineers, construction managers or urban planners. A bachelor’s in architecture degree is considered a minimum qualification, although many firms strongly prefer candidates with internship experience. Once hired, architects typically work full time and are paid a salary with full benefits. Candidates with a master’s degree are typically paid higher salaries than candidates with only a bachelor’s degree.

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Some factors that could lead to a good architect's salary include having two to four years of experience, a bachelor's or master's degree, and annual additional pay of about $42,255.49. According to anonymous ratings on Glassdoor, around 69% of architects are satisfied with their salary.

Architects earn a wide range of total pay, falling anywhere between $91,219.13 and $287,665.23, with the main determining factor being level of experience. The estimated income for an architect is $157,274.37 if you follow the typical career path of an architect and work in the field for for long enough to build credibility. After you reach that point, it's common to advance to roles such as principal or distinguished architect.

If you want to earn as much as possible, it's important to have all the most in-demand skills for architects. Ensure that you're fluent in the latest design programs and software and that you feel confident in technical skills such as business process analysis, computing, and scripting, as well as soft skills such as building relationships, communicating clearly, and managing customer expectations. You can also look into continuing your education. If you've only received a bachelor's degree, studying to receive a master's degree in subjects such as engineering or science could improve your earning potential as an architect.

If you're looking for a raise in your current architect job, it's helpful to outline how your roles and responsibilities have evolved or increased during your time at the company. Research to see if your salary is in line with the current market rate for architects in your area. If not, use those numbers to negotiate with your employer in addition to highlighting how your contributions have been valuable to the company. And if you're negotiating salary for a new architect position, be sure to emphasize your achievements, experience in the field, lessons learned over time, and important education and skills you bring to the table.