Construction & Real Estate San Francisco, CA Pop. 873,965

Architect Salary in San Francisco, California

The median architect salary in San Francisco, CA is $150,769 per year, which is 82.0% above the national median and 31.9% above the California state average.

City Median
$150,769
vs State Avg
+$36,450
vs National
+$67,929
Cost of Living
182%

Architect Salary in San Francisco by Experience

In San Francisco, an entry-level architect earns around $94,640, while experienced professionals earn up to $254,800 per year. The local cost of living index is 182% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$94,640
+$42,640 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$154,700
+$69,700 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$254,800
+$114,800 vs national

Salary Percentiles in San Francisco, CA

Percentile San Francisco
10th Percentile $91,000
25th Percentile $116,480
Median (50th) $150,769
75th Percentile $203,840
90th Percentile $269,360

Architect Salary in Other California Cities

San Jose, CA
$139,171
Pop. 1,013,240
Los Angeles, CA
$120,946
Pop. 3,898,747
San Diego, CA
$117,633
Pop. 1,386,932
Sacramento, CA
$97,751
Pop. 524,943

How to Become a Architect in San Francisco

Education

Most architect positions require a bachelor's degree. San Francisco and the surrounding California area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

AutoCAD/RevitBuilding DesignBuilding Codes3D ModelingProject ManagementSustainability

Job Outlook

Nationally, architect employment is projected to grow 3% over the next decade (as fast as average). Demand in San Francisco may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Architect Jobs in San Francisco

Browse open architect positions in San Francisco, CA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Architect Salary in San Francisco

How much does a Architect make in San Francisco, CA? ▼
The median architect salary in San Francisco, California is $150,769 per year, which is 82.0% above the national median of $82,840. Salaries range from $91,000 (10th percentile) to $269,360 (90th percentile).
How much does a Architect make per hour in San Francisco? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $150,769, a architect in San Francisco earns approximately $72 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does San Francisco compare to the California state average for architect pay? ▼
San Francisco's median architect salary of $150,769 is 31.9% above the California state average of $114,319. The local cost of living index is 182% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in San Francisco, CA? ▼
San Francisco has a cost of living index of 182% compared to the national average. This means a architect salary of $150,769 in San Francisco has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a architect in San Francisco? ▼
Most architect positions in San Francisco require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include AutoCAD/Revit, Building Design, Building Codes, 3D Modeling. The job market is projected to grow 3% nationally over the next decade.