Architectural Engineers play a vital role in the construction, design and maintenance of buildings. Uniformly having gained at least a bachelor’s degree, Architectural Engineers must be licensed to practice, both on the federal and state level.
The starting salary for entry-level architectural engineers can vary widely depending on the characteristics and education of the candidate. A candidate with a bachelor’s degree in architecture, engineering and design may start out at around $50,000 per year. An architectural engineer with a master’s degree can get a starting salary of around $73,000 per year. In this article we’ll also discuss architectural engineering salary per hour, architecture vs architectural engineering salary.
Starting Salary For Architectural Engineer
Overview
Architectural engineering salary is not a static thing. It varies depending on the location, experience, and the type of company you work for.
Architectural engineers can expect to make $55,000 annually and up to $100,000 if they are employed by a large company with offices in several states or abroad.
Architectural engineers who have over ten years of experience can earn as much as $90,000 per year. Those who are employed by small businesses may earn less than this amount but still more than what their counterparts do at larger companies.
A career in architectural engineering will pay off for those who have an interest in both design and construction management. Those who want to become an architect must complete an undergraduate degree program followed by four years of professional training at a school specializing in architecture and fine arts before being able to take the licensing exam offered by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB).
Job Description
An architectural engineer works in the design process to assist architects, project and construction managers on how to ensure that a building is structurally sound. Specific knowledge about noise-reduction factors, building codes, and safety characteristics are common issues facing an architectural engineer. Before construction, an architectural engineer reviews blueprints, AutoCADs, and other design documents to make recommendations that will ease the construction process. If there is a question or concern during the building process, an architectural engineer is called upon to provide advice. This may involve consulting with construction managers at the building site.
Education Requirements
The pathway to this profession begins with a college degree in architectural engineering. Initial coursework focuses on a broad variety of classes in engineering. Topics include drafting, physics, electrical systems, structural systems, and environmental aspects of construction design. Practical aspects of an architectural engineering program involve learning how to consult and interact with construction managers and architects. Most academic programs in this discipline culminate with a major project that will showcase your ability to design a structural project. Some states require licensure for architectural engineers, but education and experience are the main qualifications to work in this field.
Architectural Engineers vs. Architects
While the two disciplines may share some commonalities, architectural engineers should not be confused with architects. Architects focus mainly on the design, art and aesthetics of buildings, whereas architectural engineers focus on their construction and systems, such as electrical, heating, plumbing and other aspects. They use the principals of physics, math and engineering science in their jobs. As an architectural engineer, you may commonly be referred to or find job opportunities as a structural engineer
architectural engineering salary per hour
As of Nov 1, 2022, the average hourly pay for an Architectural Engineer in the United States is $38.51 an hour.
While ZipRecruiter is seeing hourly wages as high as $66.83 and as low as $13.94, the majority of Architectural Engineer wages currently range between $30.29 (25th percentile) to $45.43 (75th percentile) across the United States. The average pay range for an Architectural Engineer varies greatly (by as much as $15.14), which suggests there may be many opportunities for advancement and increased pay based on skill level, location and years of experience.
Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Architectural Engineer job market in both Lagos, NG and throughout the entire state of is not very active as few companies are currently hiring. An Architectural Engineer in your area makes on average $39 per hour, or the same as the national average hourly salary of $38.51. ranks number 1 out of 50 states nationwide for Architectural Engineer salaries.
To estimate the most accurate hourly salary range for Architectural Engineer jobs, ZipRecruiter continuously scans its database of millions of active jobs published locally throughout America.
What are Top 10 Highest Paying Cities for Architectural Engineer Jobs
We’ve identified 10 cities where the typical salary for an Architectural Engineer job is above the national average. Topping the list is Atkinson, NE, with Frankston, TX and Barnstable Town, MA close behind in the second and third positions. Barnstable Town, MA beats the national average by $15,773 (19.7%), and Atkinson, NE furthers that trend with another $23,077 (28.8%) above the $80,091 average.
With these 10 cities having average salaries higher than the national average, the opportunities for economic advancement by changing locations as an Architectural Engineer appears to be exceedingly fruitful.
Finally, another factor to consider is the average salary for these top ten cities varies very little at 14% between Atkinson, NE and Skyline-Ganipa, NM, reinforcing the limited potential for much wage advancement. The possibility of a lower cost of living may be the best factor to use when considering location and salary for an Architectural Engineer role.
| City | Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atkinson, NE | $103,168 | $8,597 | $1,984 | $49.60 |
| Frankston, TX | $97,303 | $8,108 | $1,871 | $46.78 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | $95,864 | $7,988 | $1,843 | $46.09 |
| Inverness, CA | $95,168 | $7,930 | $1,830 | $45.75 |
| Sunnyvale, CA | $94,622 | $7,885 | $1,819 | $45.49 |
| Dimondale, MI | $92,359 | $7,696 | $1,776 | $44.40 |
| Manhattan, NY | $91,631 | $7,635 | $1,762 | $44.05 |
| Hooper Bay, AK | $91,608 | $7,634 | $1,761 | $44.04 |
| Potomac Heights, MD | $89,342 | $7,445 | $1,718 | $42.95 |
| Skyline-Ganipa, NM | $88,949 | $7,412 | $1,710 | $42.76 |
What are Top 5 Best Paying Related Architectural Engineer Jobs in the U.S.
We found at least five jobs related to the Architectural Engineer job category that pay more per year than a typical Architectural Engineer salary. Top examples of these roles include: Architectural Technologist, Is Architect, and Civil Engineer Architect.
Importantly, all of these jobs are paid between $23,385 (29.2%) and $26,204 (32.7%) more than the average Architectural Engineer salary of $80,091. If you’re qualified, getting hired for one of these related Architectural Engineer jobs may help you make more money than that of the average Architectural Engineer position.
| Job Title | Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Architectural Technologist | $106,295 | $8,857 | $2,044 | $51.10 |
| Is Architect | $106,234 | $8,852 | $2,042 | $51.07 |
| Civil Engineer Architect | $106,174 | $8,847 | $2,041 | $51.05 |
| Unlicensed Architect | $105,417 | $8,784 | $2,027 | $50.68 |
| 3D Architect | $103,476 | $8,623 | $1,989 | $49.75 |
architecture vs architectural engineering salary
Architects can earn an average annual salary of $104,174 per year, while engineers earn an average annual salary of $68,746 per year. Both of these average salaries may vary depending on the size of the company at which you work, location of your job and the level of experience you have prior to pursuing either position.
