Architecture and interior design salaries
in San Francisco
Explore the salary landscape within San Francisco's 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| CEO/President | 160,000 | 200,000 | 300,000 |
| Managing Principal | 155,000 | 175,000 | 205,000 |
| Studio Director | 120,000 | 145,000 | 165,000 |
| Senior Project Manager | 130,000 | 145,000 | 170,000 |
| Project Manager | 100,000 | 120,000 | 125,000 |
| Senior Project Designer | 125,000 | 135,000 | 150,000 |
| Project Designer | 100,000 | 113,000 | 125,000 |
| Senior Architect (10+ yrs) | 115,000 | 125,000 | 138,000 |
| Snr. Architectural Designer (10+ yrs) | 110,000 | 115,000 | 125,000 |
| Architect 3 (8+ yrs) | 112,000 | 120,000 | 140,000 |
| Architectural Designer 3 (8+ yrs) | 90,000 | 100,000 | 120,000 |
| Architect 2 (6+ yrs) | 85,000 | 95,000 | 105,000 |
| Architectural Designer 2 (6+ yrs) | 76,000 | 80,000 | 86,000 |
| Architect 1 (3-5 yrs) | 75,000 | 80,000 | 85,000 |
| Architectural Designer 1 (3-5 yrs) | 65,000 | 75,000 | 79,000 |
| Jnr. Architectural Designer (0-3 yrs) | 58,000 | 62,000 | 69,000 |
| BIM Manager | 110,000 | 125,000 | 135,000 |
| BIM Coordinator | 75,000 | 87,000 | 115,000 |
Planning & Landscape Architecture
| Job title | $ Low | $ Average | $ High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Senior Landscape Architect (10+ yrs) | 110,000 | 120,000 | 135,000 |
| Landscape Architect (5-10 yrs) | 75,000 | 98,000 | 110,000 |
| Landscape Designer (0-5 yrs) | 55,000 | 66,000 | 73,000 |
| Senior Planner (10+ yrs) | 110,000 | 115,000 | 130,000 |
| Planner (5-10 yrs) | 75,000 | 83,000 | 100,000 |
| Junior Planner (0-5 yrs) | 50,000 | 65,000 | 89,000 |
Interior Design
| Job title | $ Low | $ Average | $ High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Principal | 150,000 | 200,000 | 280,000 |
| Director of Design | 120,000 | 150,000 | 200,000 |
| Senior Project Designer | 100,000 | 125,000 | 150,000 |
| Project Designer | 85,000 | 100,000 | 115,000 |
| Project Manager | 85,000 | 100,000 | 125,000 |
| Interior Designer (8+ yrs) | 90,000 | 100,000 | 120,000 |
| Interior Designer (4-7 yrs) | 75,000 | 95,000 | 115,000 |
| Interior Designer (0-3 yrs) | 50,000 | 65,000 | 75,000 |
| Interior Architect (8+ yrs) | 90,000 | 100,000 | 120,000 |
| Interior Architect (4-7 yrs) | 75,000 | 85,000 | 110,000 |
| Interior Architect (0-3 yrs) | 55,000 | 62,000 | 75,000 |
Business Support
| Job title | $ Low | $ Average | $ High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Development Director | 120,000 | 135,000 | 170,000+ |
| Marketing Director | 100,000 | 120,000 | 135,000 |
| Marketing Manager | 90,000 | 100,000 | 110,000 |
| Marketing Assistant / Coordinator | 70,000 | 76,000 | 80,000 |
| Visualiser / Graphic Designer | 80,000 | 92,000 | 110,000 |
| Financial Director/ CFO | 115,000 | 145,000 | 186,000 |
| Operations Director | 100,000 | 135,000 | 150,000+ |
| HR Manager | 82,500 | 98,000 | 130,000+ |
| Studio / Office Manager | 80,000 | 95,000 | 115,000 |
| Executive Assistant / PA | 70,000 | 85,000 | 100,000 |
| Bookkeeper | 72,000 | 82,500 | 92,000 |
| Showroom Manager | 72,000 | 82,000 | 95,000 |
| Sales Representative | 72,000 | 90,000 | 110,000+ |
The latest architecture and design jobs in Sydney
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.) |
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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 |
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Workplace Perks
| Benefit | Standard | Enhanced | Outstanding |
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| Paid charity/volunteer day | |
Financial Benefits
| Benefit | Standard | Enhanced | Outstanding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retirement Savings Plan | Plan offered (no contrib.) | 1-3% matching contrib. | 4%+ matching contrib. |
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| Home office stipend | |
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