How much does an architect make in California?
$108,500a year
Median yearly pay for architects in California. That is $52.18 an hour or $9,045 a month.
- Hourly
- $52.18
- Vs. national median
- +9%
- Rank among states
- 5 of 51
- Jobs in the state
- 13,270
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $75,640Median: $108,500Highest 10%: $171,200
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $75,640 | $36.37 | |
| 25th | $85,990 | $41.34 | |
| Median | $108,500 | $52.18 | |
| 75th | $152,400 | $73.28 | |
| 90th | $171,200 | $82.29 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| San Jose, CA | $129,600 |
| San Francisco, CA | $126,600 |
| Sacramento, CA | $126,000 |
| Modesto, CA | $124,800 |
| Redding, CA | $120,100 |
| San Diego, CA | $120,000 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $111,100 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $107,300 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $105,800 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $104,200 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $103,800 |
| Oxnard, CA | $102,500 |
| Stockton, CA | $101,500 |
| Riverside, CA | $100,500 |
| Fresno, CA | $100,400 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $99,800 |
| Salinas, CA | $99,600 |
| Visalia, CA | $98,890 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for architects.
| 2. Massachusetts | $117,300 |
| 3. Maryland | $114,600 |
| 4. Alaska | $108,700 |
| 5. California | $108,500 |
| 6. Rhode Island | $105,200 |
| 7. Connecticut | $103,500 |
| 8. South Dakota | $102,500 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does an architect make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $52.18 ($108,500 a year).
Do architects make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $108,500 against $99,280 nationally, 9% more.
Where does California rank for architect pay?
California ranks 5 of 51 states.
Which city in California pays architects the most?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, with a median of $129,600 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.