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Average Architects, Except Landscape and Naval Salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

Architects, Except Landscape and Naval, in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA area command an impressive average annual salary of $152,210. This figure significantly surpasses the national average of $103,030, reflecting the high demand and specialized skill set required in this dynamic metropolitan region. The economic landscape and concentration of relevant industries in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, are key drivers behind this elevated compensation.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $152,210 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 34.1% over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $220,720.
  • Outlook: With a local workforce of 560 professionals in this field, the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA market demonstrates a notable presence. The Location Quotient of 0.68 suggests that while the concentration is slightly below the national average, the absolute number of jobs per 1,000 workers at 0.49 indicates a steady, albeit not overwhelmingly saturated, demand for architectural services within the region.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$152,210

The average Architects, Except Landscape and Naval in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA earns+47.7%above the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$73.2

Weekly

$2,927

Monthly

$12,684

Architects, Except Landscape and Naval Salary Distribution in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

Salary progression for Architects, Except Landscape and Naval, is strongly tied to experience and specialization. Entry-level positions typically fall within the lower percentiles, while seasoned professionals with extensive portfolios and project management expertise command salaries in the upper percentiles. The significant gaps between these percentile ranges highlight the substantial career growth and earning potential available as one advances in the field.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase.10% (Entry)$81,180$39
Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently.25% (Junior)$114,158$54.9
Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring.50% (Median)$134,200$64.5
Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact.75% (Senior)$190,263$91.5
Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation.90% (Expert)$220,720$106.1

Detailed Architects, Except Landscape and Naval Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$152,210

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$152,210

Adjusted for COL (100)

The average annual salary of $152,210 in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, aligns precisely with the national average Cost of Living Index of 100. This means that while the nominal salary is substantially higher than the national average, the purchasing power of that salary is effectively equivalent to the national average due to the local cost of living. Therefore, while the take-home pay is higher, the ability to save or spend on discretionary items is comparable to the national standard.

Job Market Context

560

Total Jobs

0.49

Per 1K Jobs

0.68

Location Quotient

Below Average

San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA has 0.68x the national average concentration of Architects, Except Landscape and Naval jobs. This means there are fewer opportunities per capita here compared to the U.S. average — competition for roles may be higher.

A Location Quotient of 0.68 indicates that Architects, Except Landscape and Naval, are present in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA market, but not to a degree that significantly exceeds the national average concentration. This suggests a competitive market where demand exists, but professionals may not find an overwhelming abundance of similar roles compared to national benchmarks, requiring a strategic approach to job searching.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Architects, Except Landscape and Naval

Comparing salaries near San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

Hiring Architects, Except Landscape and Navals?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Architects, Except Landscape and Naval make in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?

The median annual salary for a Architects, Except Landscape and Naval in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA is $152,210. This typically ranges from $81,180 for entry-level positions to $220,720 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA is 47.7% higher than the national median of $103,030.

Is San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA a lucrative place for Architects, Except Landscape and Navals?

Yes, but with a caveat regarding cost of living.The average salary of $152,210 is substantially higher than the national average, indicating strong earning potential. However, the local Cost of Living Index of 100 means this higher salary's purchasing power is on par with the national average.

Is San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA a good place to live for Architects, Except Landscape and Navals?

The Cost of Living Index in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?

Some top paying nearby cities include Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA ($104,780) and San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA.

How does the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA architect salary compare to the national average?

Architects in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA earn an average of $152,210 annually, which is significantly higher than the national average of $103,030.

What is the concentration of Architects, Except Landscape and Naval, in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?

The concentration, measured by the Location Quotient, is 0.68, which is below the national average of 1.0, suggesting a moderate presence of these professionals in the region.

How many Architects, Except Landscape and Naval, are employed in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?

There are approximately 560 Architects, Except Landscape and Naval, employed within the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metropolitan area.

Does the high salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA translate to greater disposable income?

While the nominal salary is high, the Cost of Living Index is also at the national average (100), meaning the increased salary's purchasing power is comparable to the national average, not necessarily leading to greater disposable income.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 560 employees in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA area with a job density of 0.49 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.