Architecture and interior design salaries
in Los Angeles
Explore the salary landscape within Los Angeles' architecture and interior design industry.
Uncover the range of benefits companies are offering in 2024, including what separates a standard benefits package from an outstanding one.
Market snapshot: California 2024
The architecture and design market is mixed in California but the outlook for recruitment is positive, with staff shortages fuelling continued competition for the best talent. Some firms are reporting that clients are slow to make decisions and progress projects, but despite softer business conditions, lots of firms have a relatively robust backlog of work. Education and healthcare sectors have seen growth, as has the industrial sector, especially with data centres. Specialist positions such as lab and medical planners are highly sought after.
- An increase in contract/temp vacancies are predicted as firms short of staff look for solutions to hit project deadlines.
- Balance between remote work and in office presence will continue to evolve, with employers pushing to get staff back to the office.
- High living costs have seen candidates prioritizing salaries but also value work life balance, career progression alongside workplace flexibility.
- Job seekers are typically less concerned with job titles provided career progression and pay are good.
- Demand for Business Development and Marketing candidates increase as firms look to compete for work.
Salaries
Job titles with an * beside them typically have commission or bonus on top of the outlined base salary.
Architecture
| Job title | $ Low | $ Average | $ High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jnr. Architectural Designer (0-3 yrs) | 62,000 | 67,000 | 72,000 |
| Architectural Designer 1 (3-5 yrs) | 70,000 | 75,000 | 80,000 |
| Architect 1 (3-5 yrs) | 80,000 | 87,000 | 95,000 |
| Architectural Designer 2 (6+ yrs) | 80,000 | 87,000 | 95,000 |
| Architect 2 (6+ yrs) | 90,000 | 100,000 | 115,000 |
| Architectural Designer 3 (8+ yrs) | 95,000 | 105,000 | 120,000 |
| Architect 3 (8+ yrs) | 110,000 | 120,000 | 135,000 |
| Snr. Architectural Designer (10+ yrs) | 115,000 | 120,000 | 135,000 |
| Senior Architect (10+ yrs) | 120,000 | 130,000 | 145,000 |
| Project Designer | 80,000 | 92,000 | 100,000 |
| Senior Project Designer | 115,000 | 130,000 | 150,000 |
| Project Manager | 100,000 | 115,000 | 130,000 |
| Senior Project Manager | 130,000 | 145,000 | 170,000 |
| BIM Coordinator | 85,000 | 95,000 | 105,000 |
| BIM Manager | 110,000 | 125,000 | 145,000 |
Interior Design
| Job title | $ Low | $ Average | $ High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interior Architect (0-3 yrs) | 57,000 | 62,000 | 72,000 |
| Interior Architect (4-7 yrs) | 70,000 | 83,000 | 95,000 |
| Interior Architect (8+ yrs) | 90,000 | 100,000 | 130,000 |
| Interior Designer (0-3 yrs) | 55,000 | 60,000 | 68,000 |
| Interior Designer (4-7 yrs) | 68,000 | 81,000 | 95,000 |
| Interior Designer (8+ yrs) | 91,500 | 101,000 | 125,000 |
| Project Designer | 85,000 | 98,000 | 118,000 |
| Project Manager | 87,000 | 105,000 | 130,000 |
| Senior Project Designer | 110,000 | 135,000 | 145,000 |
| Director of Design | 130,000 | 155,000 | 220,000 |
| Principal | 155,000 | 210,000 | 260,000 |
Business Support
| Job title | $ Low | $ Average | $ High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bookkeeper | 70,000 | 80,000 | 90,000 |
| Admin Assistant | 40,000 | 55,000 | 64,000 |
| Executive Assistant/PA | 60,000 | 80,000 | 100,000 |
| Studio/Office Manager | 69,000 | 75,000 | 110,000+ |
| HR Coordinator | 55,000 | 65,000 | 75,000 |
| HR Manager | 80,000 | 95,000 | 125,000+ |
| Operations Manager | 80,000 | 95,000 | 125,000+ |
| Operations Director | 110,000 | 125,000 | 140,000+ |
| Junior Accountant | 58,000 | 65,000 | 72,000 |
| Project/Staff Accountant | 65,000 | 75,000 | 90,000 |
| Senior Accountant | 75,000 | 88,000 | 100,000+ |
| Accounting Manager | 90,000 | 105,000 | 115,000+ |
| Controller | 100,000 | 120,000 | 160,000 |
| Financial Director/CFO | 120,000 | 150,000 | 175,000+ |
| Visualizer/3D Renderer | 56,000 | 68,000 | 85,000 |
| Graphic Designer | 67,000 | 80,000 | 90,000 |
| Senior Graphic Designer | 75,000 | 95,000 | 115,000+ |
| Art Director | 80,000 | 100,000 | 125,000+ |
| Marketing Assistant | 55,000 | 60,000 | 65,000 |
| Marketing Coordinator | 70,000 | 75,000 | 85,000 |
| Marketing Manager | 95,000 | 110,000 | 125,000+ |
| Marketing Director | 115,000 | 135,000 | 175,000+ |
| Business Development | 70,000 | 80,000 | 90,000 |
| Business Development Manager | 90,000 | 100,000 | 120,000 |
| Business Development Director | 120,000 | 130,000 | 150,000+ |
| IT Coordinator | 64,000 | 75,000 | 90,000 |
| IT Manager | 97,000 | 120,000 | 150,000 |
| CTO/IT Director | 130,000 | 155,000 | 180,000+ |
Architectural & Interior Products
| Job title | $ Low | $ Average | $ High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Showroom Sales Associate* | 50,000 | 65,000 | 85,000 |
| Showroom Assistant | 35,000 | 50,000 | 65,000 |
| Showroom Manager* | 80,000 | 95,000 | 115,000 |
| Assistant Studio Manager | 65,000 | 75,000 | 90,000 |
| Logistics Manager | 75,000 | 90,000 | 105,000 |
| Estimator | 70,000 | 85,000 | 100,000 |
| Project Manager | 95,000 | 110,000 | 150,000 |
| Outside Sales Representative* | 75,000 | 100,000 | 130,000 |
| Inside Sales Representative* | 75,000 | 100,000 | 130,000 |
| Design Consultant* | 65,000 | 75,000 | 90,000 |
| Sales Manager* | 85,000 | 95,000 | 115,000 |
| Sales Representative* | 70,000 | 80,000 | 100,000 |
| Regional Sales Manager* | 90,000 | 105,000 | 130,000 |
| Sales Director | 115,000 | 130,000 | 180,000 |
| Department Manager* | 45,000 | 60,000 | 80,000 |
| Visual Merchandiser | 50,000 | 70,000 | 85,000 |
| Visual Merchandising Lead | 35,000 | 55,000 | 65,000 |
| Operations Lead | 35,000 | 55,000 | 65,000 |
| Operations Manager | 35,000 | 50,000 | 65,000 |
Planning & Landscape Architecture
| Job title | $ Low | $ Average | $ High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior Planner (0-5 yrs) | 50,000 | 63,000 | 90,000 |
| Planner (5-10 yrs) | 70,000 | 75,000 | 95,000 |
| Senior Planner (10+ yrs) | 110,000 | 115,000 | 125,000 |
| Landscape Designer (0-5 yrs) | 55,000 | 65,000 | 75,000 |
| Landscape Architect (5-10 yrs) | 80,000 | 90,000 | 110,000 |
| Snr. Landscape Architect (10+ yrs) | 100,000 | 120,000 | 140,000 |
Architecture and design jobs in California
Benefits
Health & Wellbeing
| Benefit | Standard | Enhanced | Outstanding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical coverage | 75% firm/25% emp. contrib. | 80% coverage | 100% coverage (dependents inc.) |
| Dental/vision | Plan offered (no contrib.) | 100% coverage | 100% coverage (dependents inc.) |
| Healthcare flexible spending account (HSA) |  |
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| Employee assistance program (EAP) | |
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| Wellness program | |
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| Fitness club discount | |
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| Pet insurance | |
Career Development
| Benefit | Standard | Enhanced | Outstanding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional exam costs | Assistance | Reimbursement | PTO & reimbursement |
| Membership and licensure fees | Paid annual dues | Paid annual dues | |
| Professional development program | |
Work-Life Balance
| Benefit | Standard | Enhanced | Outstanding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paid time off (vacation, holidays and sick leave) | 25 days | 28 days | 39+ days |
| Flexible/hybrid working arrangements | |
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| Flexible working hours | |
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| Commuter benefits program | |
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| Summer hours program | |
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| Short-term work from anywhere option | |
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| Extended parental leave | |
Workplace Perks
| Benefit | Standard | Enhanced | Outstanding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paid charity/volunteer day | |
Financial Benefits
| Benefit | Standard | Enhanced | Outstanding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retirement Savings Plan | Plan offered (no contrib.) | 1-3% matching contrib. | 4%+ matching contrib. |
| Annual bonus | |
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| Discretionary profit share | |
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| Home office stipend | |
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