Architects, Except Landscape and Naval Salary in Los Angeles, CA
BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
Compare Architects, Except Landscape and Naval salary & buying power
Type a city below to see how Los Angeles, CA stacks up on salary and cost of living.
In Los Angeles, CA, architects, excluding those in landscape and naval fields, have a median annual salary of $102,190, which is higher than the national median of $96,690. This indicates that architects in this region typically earn more compared to their counterparts across the United States. When considering local household income, the median earnings for these professionals surpass the area's median household income of $93,525. This suggests that a typical architect in Los Angeles has a higher individual earning capacity than the average local household, reflecting the relatively high demand and value placed on architectural skills in this metropolitan area.
Entry-level architects in Los Angeles earn around $61,890 annually at the 10th percentile, while those with more experience and expertise can command salaries up to $161,740 at the 90th percentile. This significant disparity is driven by factors such as years of experience, specialization within the field, project complexity, and individual skill sets. Experienced architects tend to have higher earnings due to their accumulated knowledge, established professional networks, and ability to lead larger projects or specialize in high-demand areas like sustainable design or urban planning. As a result, career progression significantly influences salary levels, with more seasoned professionals often benefiting from greater financial rewards compared to those just entering the field.
Salary percentile breakdown
Los Angeles economic context
Frequently asked questions
How much do Architects, Except Landscape and Naval make per hour in Los Angeles?
The median hourly wage for Architects, Except Landscape and Naval in Los Angeles, CA is $49.13, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $79.10 or more per hour.
Is Los Angeles above or below average for Architects, Except Landscape and Naval salaries?
The median Architects, Except Landscape and Naval salary in Los Angeles, CA is 5.7% above the national median of $96,690. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.
What is the entry-level salary for Architects, Except Landscape and Naval in Los Angeles?
Entry-level Architects, Except Landscape and Naval (10th percentile) earn around $61,890 per year in Los Angeles, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $79,920.