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Architect salary in California (Updated 2026)

How much does an Architect make in California?

Average base salary

$170,590
51%
above national average
Average $170,590
Low $98,026
High $296,869

The average salary for a architect is $170,590 per year in California. 318 salaries taken from job postings on Indeed in the past 36 months (updated October 1, 2026).

Architect job openings in California

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HRIS Architect
FCT3out of 5 stars.
Santa Ana, CA
$85,000 - $113,300 a year
Full-time
4 weeks ago

Highest paying companies for Architect in California

Average year pay is based on job postings on Indeed in the past 36 months.
Rohadfox Corporation
 
$353,600per year
View company
HPE Juniper Networking
 
$341,250per year
Workday
 
$339,500per year
ByteDance
 
$312,520per year
F5
 
$299,619per year
Arm
 
$288,381per year

Hiring an Architect?

Hiring Guide
Hiring GuideLearn how to hire an Architect
Job Description
Job DescriptionWrite the perfect Architect job description
Interview Questions
Interview QuestionsLearn the best questions to ask Architect candidates

Highest paying cities for Architects near California

  1. Saratoga, CA
    $275,318 per year
  2. Santa Clara, CA
    $223,885 per year
  3. San Jose, CA
    $214,203 per year
  4. Irvine, CA
    $178,791 per year
  5. San Francisco, CA
    $153,723 per year

Where can an Architect earn more?

Compare salaries for Architects in different locations
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Architect

The average salary for an Architect is $170,590 per year in California. This figure is based on 318 salaries taken from job postings on Indeed in the past 36 months, last updated on October 1, 2026.

Architect jobs on Indeed - find your next one today.

Architect salaries in California typically range between a low of $98,026 and a high of $296,869 per year, depending on experience and the hiring company.

Some of the highest-paying cities for Architect in California include Saratoga, CA at $275,318 per year, Santa Clara, CA at $223,885 per year, and San Jose, CA at $214,203 per year.

Based on recent job postings on Indeed, some of the top-paying companies for Architect in California include Rohadfox Corporation ($353,600 per year) and HPE Juniper Networking ($341,250 per year).

Compensation can vary based on the specific niche and level of responsibility within the field. Here is how the average Architect salary in California compares to related positions:

  • Architect II: Average $120,877 per year
  • Architect III: Average $117,279 per year
  • Associate Architect: Average $120,774 per year
  • Chief Architect: Average $222,958 per year
  • Junior Architect: Average $103,116 per year
  • Lead Architect: Average $178,965 per year

How much do similar professions as Architect get paid in California?

Architect II

Job openings
Average $120,877 per year