Architects' Salaries Creep Up as Business Conditions Stabilize

The rise in compensation for architects over the last two years has barely climbed, although certain business metrics are improving, according to results from the 2013 American Institute of Architects (AIA) Compensation Survey. The biannual report indicates that between 2011 and 2013, the average total compensation (which includes overtime, bonuses, and incentives) increased from $75,000 to $76,700.

CEOs/presidents ($186,900), managing principals ($178,400), and directors of design ($146,000) experienced the biggest gains in compensation over the last two years at 13, 14, and 11 percent, respectively. Meanwhile, totals for senior design and project management staff averaged $94,900 in 2011 and $99,400 in 2013. Salary growth among unlicensed architecture/design staff and interns hovered between 2 and 4 percent in the last two years, as COOs saw the largest drop at -6 percent.

Among other highlights from the survey:

Data from federal agencies suggests a modest uptick in other business conditions. Last year, revenue at architecture firms increased nearly 11 percent over 2011 levels, according to U.S. Census Bureau. The U.S. Department of Labor also reports that practices payroll employment rose 3 percent between a mid-2011 low and the end of 2012.

Compiled from 1,023 valid surveys submitted by U.S. architecture firms, the AIA Compensation Report includes compensation data for 39 architecture firm positions in 28 states, 28 metro areas, and 14 cities. Click here to order the report.

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Architects' Salaries Creep Up as Business Conditions Stabilize