AIA Salary Report Dissects Pay and Bias

There are a variety of factors that influence architectural salaries. 

The AIA Salary Calculator report examined the factors and trends that are impacting professional fiscal experiences across the United States, and breaking down the makeup of pay of larger firms (50 employees or more) and smaller firms (fewer than 10 workers).

The report revealed that in 2022 the national median base salary of architecture firm CEOs and presidents was $165,000, and a new graduate's salary was approximately $59,000. 

Salaries, however, may vary by the cost of living in different cities, and accordingly, 61 percent of architecture firms reported that they adjust salaries per city.

In addition to salary, health care, and debt benefits vary per firm.

Nearly all (97 percent) architecture firms offer health insurance coverage. A breakdown of this percentage is that all of the large firms provide health insurance and 92 percent of the smaller firms offer health benefits. Health coverage also includes dependent health coverage and dental insurance for 85 percent and 86 percent (respectively) of firms nationally.

Debt, however, is a relatively small percentage with 13 percent of larger firms offering assistance. That number has increased since its 5 percent statistic in 2020. 

The report caveated these results with a mention of workplace bias for employees of varying racial, ethnic, and gender identities.

The AIA-commissioned The Elephant in the (Well-Designed) Room report from the Center for WorkLife Law at the University of California Hastings College of Law in 2021, and found that half of women professionals shared that family leave disadvantaged their careers but only a quarter of men reported the same. 

An additional disparity is that fewer women and men architects of color report access to “desirable” projects compared to white male colleagues, and as such feel less career satisfaction.

Overall the AIA’s 2022 Business of Architecture Report, found that architects from diverse backgrounds make up 49 percent of professionals on the licensure track, 19 percent of licensed architects, and 18 percent of firm leads. 

Women account for 46 percent of those pursuing licensure, 36 percent of licensed professionals, and 23 percent of principals.