Architects in Michigan. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
Salary distribution
Where Michigan architects fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $67,360 and $108,300, with a median of $88,430.
Architects in Michigan: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 12 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $75,250. 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 | $67,000 |
| Level II — qualified | 3 | $86,500 |
| Level III — experienced | 2 | $110,000 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Architects in Michigan. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| SmithGroup, Inc., subsidiary of SmithGroup Co., Inc. | Higher Education Design Strategist (non-licensed) | 5 | $76,000 |
| Gresham Smith | Architect 1 (Unlicensed) | 2 | $62,000 |
| Arcadis Inc. | Architectural Designer | 1 | $70,013 |
| Autodesk, Inc. | Building Information Modeling Specialist | 1 | $120,000 |
| HKS, Inc. | Research Lead | 1 | $100,000 |
| M. Arthur Gensler Jr. & Associates, Inc. | Architect | 1 | $80,000 |
| SSOE Inc. d/b/a SSOE Group | Architect 3 | 1 | $61,506 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Higher Education Design Strategist (non-licensed) at SmithGroup, Inc., subsidiary of SmithGroup Co., Inc.$90,000DetroitWage Level IIDecided Dec 11, 2025I-200-25338-458109
- Architectural Designer at Arcadis Inc.$70,013NoviWage Level IDecided Sep 24, 2025I-200-25260-316237
- Architect 3 at SSOE Inc. d/b/a SSOE Group$61,506TroyWage Level IDecided Jul 14, 2025I-200-25188-156071
- Research Lead at HKS, Inc.$100,000NorthvilleWage Level IIIDecided Jun 2, 2025I-200-25143-014946
- Architect 1 (Unlicensed) at Gresham Smith$62,000SouthfieldWage Level IDecided May 22, 2025I-200-25136-983336
- Architect 1 (Unlicensed) at Gresham Smith$62,000SouthfieldWage Level IDecided May 21, 2025I-200-25134-976123
- Planner (non-licensed) at SmithGroup, Inc., subsidiary of SmithGroup Co., Inc.$74,500DetroitWage Level IDecided May 15, 2025I-200-25128-955256
- Planner (non-licensed) at SmithGroup, Inc., subsidiary of SmithGroup Co., Inc.$67,000Ann ArborWage Level IDecided Apr 25, 2025I-200-25108-880006
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.
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Architects pay by experience level in Michigan
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 Michigan, by industry
Median offered wage across 12 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Professional services leads with a median of $74,500.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional services | SmithGroup, Inc., subsidiary of SmithGroup Co., Inc. | 11 | $74,500 |
| Technology and software | Autodesk, Inc. | 1 | $120,000 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Michigan over the past 3 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 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 Michigan
Metro-level salary data for architects in major Michigan metropolitan areas.
- Detroit$97,920
Compare Architects pay across nearby states
Considering a move? Compare Michigan with another state
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Architects in Michigan?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Architects in Michigan is $88,430.
- How does Michigan compare to the national median for Architects?
- The Michigan median is -10.4% versus the BLS national figure of $98,731.
- What is the salary range for Architects in Michigan?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $59,850 and the 90th-percentile at $135,520, 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.