Salary distribution
Where Kentucky architects fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $74,480 and $113,730, with a median of $93,230.
Architects in Kentucky: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 8 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $68,800. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.
By DOL wage level
DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level I — entry | 7 | $67,600 |
| Level II — qualified | 1 | $85,000 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Architects in Kentucky. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| RossTarrant LLC | Project Designer | 2 | $76,300 |
| Ross-Tarrant Inc | Project Designer | 2 | $64,120 |
| Summit Engineering, Inc. | Design Consultant | 1 | $77,000 |
| Denham-Blythe Company, Inc. | Architectural Associate | 1 | $53,768 |
| JKS ARCHITECTURE, INC. | Architectural Graduate (Level I) | 1 | $88,611 |
| Global Business Solutions, Inc. | CAD/Bim Designer | 1 | $65,000 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Project Designer at RossTarrant LLC$67,600LexingtonWage Level IDecided Jul 23, 2025I-200-25198-180597
- Design Consultant at Summit Engineering, Inc.$77,000LexingtonWage Level IDecided Jul 8, 2025I-200-25181-139110
- Architectural Associate at Denham-Blythe Company, Inc.$53,768LexingtonWage Level IDecided May 27, 2025I-200-25139-990347
- Architectural Graduate (Level I) at JKS ARCHITECTURE, INC.$88,611HopkinsvilleWage Level IDecided May 16, 2025I-200-25131-962427
- Project Designer at Ross-Tarrant Inc$58,240LexingtonWage Level IDecided May 7, 2025I-200-25120-923776
- CAD/Bim Designer at Global Business Solutions, Inc.$65,000NewportWage Level IDecided May 1, 2025I-200-25114-898726
- Project Coordinator at Ross-Tarrant Inc$70,000LexingtonWage Level IDecided Feb 26, 2025I-200-25050-707973
- Project Architect at RossTarrant LLC$85,000LexingtonWage Level IIDecided Jul 23, 2025I-200-25198-180612
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.
Architects pay by experience level in Kentucky
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Architects in Kentucky, by industry
Median offered wage across 7 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Professional services leads with a median of $73,500.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional services | RossTarrant LLC | 6 | $73,500 |
| Technology and software | Global Business Solutions, Inc. | 1 | $65,000 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Kentucky over the past 2 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2024 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
Internship/residency
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.9 / 5
Design
Knowledge
- 4.8 / 5
Building and Construction
Knowledge
- 4.1 / 5
Visualization
Ability
- 4.1 / 5
Public Safety and Security
Knowledge
- 4.0 / 5
Engineering and Technology
Knowledge
- 4.0 / 5
Operations Analysis
Technical
- 4.0 / 5
Computers and Electronics
Knowledge
- 4.0 / 5
Speaking
Basic skill
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Develop final construction plans that include aesthetic representations of the structure or details for its construction.
- 02
Prepare scale drawings or architectural designs, using computer-aided design or other tools.
- 03
Prepare information regarding design, structure specifications, materials, color, equipment, estimated costs, or construction time.
- 04
Consult with clients to determine functional or spatial requirements of structures.
- 05
Meet with clients to review or discuss architectural drawings.
- 06
Integrate engineering elements into unified architectural designs.
- 07
Monitor the work of specialists, such as electrical engineers, mechanical engineers, interior designers, or sound specialists to ensure optimal form or function of designs or final structures.
- 08
Plan layouts of structural architectural projects.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+3.9%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Average growth
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Explore coursesTop metros in Kentucky
Metro-level salary data for architects in major Kentucky metropolitan areas.
- Louisville$94,230
Compare Architects pay across nearby states
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Architects in Kentucky?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Architects in Kentucky is $93,230.
- How does Kentucky compare to the national median for Architects?
- The Kentucky median is -0.4% versus the BLS national figure of $93,633.
- What is the salary range for Architects in Kentucky?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $59,500 and the 90th-percentile at $129,440, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Architects a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 3.9% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Architects?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.