Construction & Real Estate Cleveland, OH Pop. 372,624

Architect Salary in Cleveland, Ohio

The median architect salary in Cleveland, OH is $71,242 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 4.4% below the Ohio state average.

City Median
$71,242
vs State Avg
$-3,314
vs National
$-11,598
Cost of Living
86%

Architect Pay in Cleveland: What to Expect (2026)

Cleveland offers a median architect salary of $71,242, which is $3,314 below the Ohio state average of $74,556. Compared to the national median of $82,840, Cleveland pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Cleveland's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 86% of the national average. This means the $71,242 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $82,840 in an average-cost city. This makes Cleveland an attractive option for architects seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for architects in Cleveland spans from $43,000 at the 10th percentile to $127,280 at the 90th percentile — a $84,280 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $44,720, while senior architects with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $120,400. With a population of 372,624, Cleveland is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Architect Salary in Cleveland by Experience

In Cleveland, an entry-level architect earns around $44,720, while experienced professionals earn up to $120,400 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$44,720
$-7,280 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$73,100
$-11,900 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$120,400
$-19,600 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Cleveland, OH

Percentile Cleveland
10th Percentile $43,000
25th Percentile $55,040
Median (50th) $71,242
75th Percentile $96,320
90th Percentile $127,280

Architect Salary in Other Ohio Cities

Columbus, OH
$78,698
Pop. 905,748
Cincinnati, OH
$74,556
Pop. 309,317
Akron, OH
$69,586
Pop. 190,469
Toledo, OH
$67,929
Pop. 270,871

How to Become a Architect in Cleveland

Education

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

Find Architect Jobs in Cleveland

Browse open architect positions in Cleveland, OH:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Architect Salary in Cleveland

How much does a Architect make in Cleveland, OH? ▼
The median architect salary in Cleveland, Ohio is $71,242 per year, which is 14% below the national median of $82,840. Salaries range from $43,000 (10th percentile) to $127,280 (90th percentile).
How much does a Architect make per hour in Cleveland? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $71,242, a architect in Cleveland earns approximately $34 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Cleveland compare to the Ohio state average for architect pay? ▼
Cleveland's median architect salary of $71,242 is 4.4% below the Ohio state average of $74,556. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Cleveland, OH? ▼
Cleveland has a cost of living index of 86% compared to the national average. This means a architect salary of $71,242 in Cleveland has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a architect in Cleveland? ▼
Most architect positions in Cleveland 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.