Architects, Except Landscape and Naval salary in California
Architects, Except Landscape and Naval in California earn a median of $108,540 a year ($52.19 an hour), based on BLS data for 13,270 workers.
Pay ranges from $75,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $171,160 for the top 10%. That is 9% higher than the national median of $99,280. California ranks 5th of 51 states for architects, except landscape and naval pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.73 architects, except landscape and naval per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $121,910, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for architects, except landscape and naval in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $75,640 | $36.37 |
| 25th percentile | $85,990 | $41.34 |
| Median | $108,540 | $52.19 |
| 75th percentile | $152,430 | $73.28 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $171,160 | $82.29 |
| Average (mean) | $121,910 | $58.61 |
Half of architects, except landscape and naval earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $9,045 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,522.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,174.62 |
| Weekly | $2,087.31 |
| Hourly | $52.19 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Architects, Except Landscape and Naval salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $129,640 | 660 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $126,550 | 3,780 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $125,980 | 640 |
| Modesto, CA | $124,810 | 30 |
| Redding, CA | $120,060 | 60 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $120,040 | 1,280 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $111,070 | 100 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $107,300 | 150 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $105,750 | 40 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $104,170 | 4,870 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $103,820 | 220 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $102,530 | 140 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $101,540 | 70 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $100,460 | 410 |
| Fresno, CA | $100,360 | 180 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $99,800 | 90 |
| Salinas, CA | $99,600 | 60 |
| Visalia, CA | $98,890 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for architects, except landscape and naval
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Wyoming | $120,580 |
| Massachusetts | $117,330 |
| Maryland | $114,550 |
| Alaska | $108,730 |
| California | $108,540 |
| Rhode Island | $105,160 |
| Connecticut | $103,540 |
| South Dakota | $102,500 |
| Colorado | $102,400 |
| Hawaii | $102,340 |
See Architects, Except Landscape and Naval pay in every state.
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Surveyor | $105,330 | $50.64 |
| Landscape Architect | $98,380 | $47.30 |
| Cartographers and Photogrammetrists | $102,780 | $49.41 |
| Civil Engineer | $122,500 | $58.89 |
| Industrial Engineer | $124,600 | $59.90 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $130,900 | $62.94 |
| Engineers, All Other | $130,850 | $62.91 |
| Electrical Engineer | $144,040 | $69.25 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $160,520 | $77.17 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $185,180 | $89.03 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $86,090 | $41.39 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $76,520 | $36.79 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $157,620 | $75.78 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $80,480 | $38.69 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 17-1011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a architects, except landscape and naval make in California?
The median salary for architects, except landscape and naval in California is $108,540 a year, or $52.19 an hour. Pay ranges from $75,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $171,160 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid architects, except landscape and naval make in California?
The top 10% of architects, except landscape and naval in California earn at least $171,160 a year. The top 25% earn $152,430 or more.
What is the starting pay for architects, except landscape and naval in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $75,640 a year, and a quarter of architects, except landscape and naval earn $85,990 or less.
How many architects, except landscape and naval work in California?
About 13,270 architects, except landscape and naval are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.