Construction & Real Estate Louisville, KY Pop. 633,045

Architect Salary in Louisville, Kentucky

The median architect salary in Louisville, KY is $76,213 per year, which is 8% below the national median and 5.7% above the Kentucky state average.

City Median
$76,213
vs State Avg
+$4,142
vs National
$-6,627
Cost of Living
92%

Architect Pay in Louisville: What to Expect (2026)

Louisville offers a median architect salary of $76,213, which is $4,142 above the Kentucky state average of $72,071. Compared to the national median of $82,840, Louisville pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Louisville's cost of living is 92% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for architects in Louisville spans from $46,000 at the 10th percentile to $136,160 at the 90th percentile — a $90,160 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $47,840, while senior architects with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $128,800. As a major metro area with a population of 633,045, Louisville typically offers more job opportunities and employer competition, which can drive salaries higher.

Architect Salary in Louisville by Experience

In Louisville, an entry-level architect earns around $47,840, while experienced professionals earn up to $128,800 per year. The local cost of living index is 92% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$47,840
$-4,160 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$78,200
$-6,800 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$128,800
$-11,200 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Louisville, KY

Percentile Louisville
10th Percentile $46,000
25th Percentile $58,880
Median (50th) $76,213
75th Percentile $103,040
90th Percentile $136,160

Architect Salary in Other Kentucky Cities

Lexington, KY
$77,041
Pop. 322,570
Covington, KY
$72,899
Pop. 40,961
Bowling Green, KY
$69,586
Pop. 74,735
Owensboro, KY
$67,929
Pop. 60,183

How to Become a Architect in Louisville

Education

Most architect positions require a bachelor's degree. Louisville and the surrounding Kentucky 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 Louisville may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Architect Jobs in Louisville

Browse open architect positions in Louisville, KY:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Architect Salary in Louisville

How much does a Architect make in Louisville, KY? ▼
The median architect salary in Louisville, Kentucky is $76,213 per year, which is 8% below the national median of $82,840. Salaries range from $46,000 (10th percentile) to $136,160 (90th percentile).
How much does a Architect make per hour in Louisville? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $76,213, a architect in Louisville earns approximately $37 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Louisville compare to the Kentucky state average for architect pay? ▼
Louisville's median architect salary of $76,213 is 5.7% above the Kentucky state average of $72,071. The local cost of living index is 92% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Louisville, KY? ▼
Louisville has a cost of living index of 92% compared to the national average. This means a architect salary of $76,213 in Louisville has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a architect in Louisville? ▼
Most architect positions in Louisville 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.