verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

Architect Salary in District of Columbia

Median Annual in District of Columbia
$102,040/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$49.06/hr
▲ 3% above U.S. median

Salary Distribution in District of Columbia

groups Employed in DC
1,700
public U.S. Median
$99,280
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$92,847 #42 of 51

Architect pay in District of Columbia, explained

Architects in District of Columbia earn a median of $102,040 per year ($49.06 per hour), which is 3% above the national median of $99,280. Entry-level workers earn around $75,900, while the most experienced architects reach about $163,440. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within District of Columbia.

Is $102,040 good pay in District of Columbia?

Adjusted for District of Columbia's cost of living (which runs 110% of the U.S. average), that $102,040 is worth about $92,847 in national buying power — ranking District of Columbia #42 for real pay (vs #11 on the sticker number).

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Architect pay by experience in District of Columbia

Entry level (10th pct)
$75,900
$36.49/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$102,040
$49.06/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$163,440
$78.58/hr

Architect pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs DC
District of Columbia (here) $102,040 $92,847
Maryland $114,550 $109,138 −$12,510
Virginia $97,680 $96,613 +$4,360

Architect in District of Columbia: FAQ

How much do architects make in District of Columbia?

Architects in District of Columbia earn a median of $102,040 per year ($49.06 per hour), compared with $99,280 nationally.

Does District of Columbia pay architects well?

At $102,040, District of Columbia pays 3% above the national median for architects. An estimated 1,700 work in the state.

Architect salary in other states

All 51 states ranked arrow_forward

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