Despite a steep economic recession during the first half of 2020, compensation for architectural staff at U.S. architecture firms essentially held flat over the 2019–2021 period, according to the American Institute of Architects (AIA) biannual Compensation Report.
“Like many professions, architecture firms across the country have had to weather an incredibly volatile period,” said AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA. “While we have seen an unprecedented recovery in architecture firm billings during 2021, this report provides a valuable snapshot of the impact the pandemic had last year on firm compensation and employment levels.”
According to the report, architecture firms lost 16,000 positions between February and their low in July of 2020, which is 8% of all payroll positions at firms. Meanwhile the overall economy lost over 21 million payroll positions between February and April of 2020, or 16.5% of total payrolls.
The biannual compensation report provides salary data for more than 40 architecture firm positions in cities across the United States as well as industry salary trends and analysis on where the market is headed.
Key findings of this year’s report, include:
— Average compensation for recent architecture graduates was just under $56,000, however, there continues to be considerable variation in starting compensation nationally, with average starting compensation ranging from around $48,000 to $69,000, depending on the region of the country.
— Despite generally outpacing compensation growth in the broader economy, architect compensation is also much more volatile. Between 2019 and 2021, architect compensation increased 0.3% per year, while all professional compensation increased 2.4% annually, and 3.1% for all private workers.
— At firms with fewer than 50 employees, benefits as a share of base pay declined to 14.4% on average in 2020, after averaging just over 18% nationally two decades ago.
In addition to the compensation survey, AIA offers members a salary calculator to learn topline data on architecture position salary ranges by region of the country.
Complete results from the 2021 AIA Compensation Survey can be purchased online.
Related Stories
| Mar 7, 2012
Firestone iPad app offers touch technology
Free app provides a preview of Firestone’s Roots to Rooftop Building Envelope Solution with an overview of all the products from ground and stormwater management solutions, to complete wall panel and commercial roofing system applications.
| Mar 7, 2012
LEO A DALY opens new office in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Jay N. Kline, Regional Manager – Saudi Arabia, to lead new office.
| Mar 7, 2012
Turner appointed Batson-Cook CFO and treasurer
Cecil G. Hood to continue in advisory role.
| Mar 7, 2012
Thornton Tomasetti names Dowdall VP of Kansas City office
Dowdall will be responsible for supporting the Property Loss Consulting, Building Performance and Building Sustainability practices nationally.
| Mar 7, 2012
LEO A DALY selected to design Minnesota Fallen Firefighters Memorial
The bronze, figurative sculpture of a firefighter rescuing a child, which is currently on display at the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport, is lit by natural light through a circular void in the monolith.
| Mar 7, 2012
Houlihan Lokey adds Steffen to Industrials Group
Steffen bolsters group with experience in the building materials and rorest product sectors.
| Mar 6, 2012
Country’s first Green House home for veterans completed
Residences at VA Danville to provide community-centered housing for military veterans.
| Mar 6, 2012
EwingCole completes first design-build project for the USMA
The second phase of the project, which includes the academic buildings and the lacrosse and football fields, was completed in January 2012.
| Mar 6, 2012
Gensler and Skender complete new corporate headquarters for JMC Steel in Chicago
Construction was completed by Skender in just 12 weeks.
| Mar 6, 2012
BLT Architects promotes two to associate
Architect Nicole Dress and interior designer Jessica Moser acknowledged for excellence.
