Salary distribution
Where North Carolina architects fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $67,920 and $106,810, with a median of $87,990.
Architects in North Carolina: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 28 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $67,148. 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 | 19 | $59,000 |
| Level II — qualified | 4 | $83,383 |
| Level III — experienced | 1 | $113,400 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Architects in North Carolina. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| LITTLE DIVERSIFIED ARCHITECTURAL CONSULTING, INC. | JUNIOR ARCHITECTURAL STAFF | 3 | $59,000 |
| Cannon Design, Inc. | Designer II | 2 | $72,400 |
| DLR Group, Inc. | Space Architect | 2 | $92,500 |
| WSP USA Inc. | Facilities Designer | 1 | $85,654 |
| Greenberg Farrow Architecture Incorporated | DESIGNER III (ARCHITECTURE) | 1 | $81,765 |
| DAVIS KANE ARCHITECTS, PA | Project Manager/Architect | 1 | $65,520 |
| Clearscapes, PA | Architect I | 1 | $66,976 |
| Housing Studio, P.A. | Intern Architect | 1 | $75,982 |
| RDC-S111, Inc. | Job Captain | 1 | $85,000 |
| Hanbury Evans Wright Vlattas Company | Designer | 1 | $56,451 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Designer II at Cannon Design, Inc.$77,480CharlotteDecided Dec 22, 2025I-200-25349-483826
- Facilities Designer at WSP USA Inc.$85,654DurhamDecided Nov 7, 2025I-200-25304-353948
- DESIGNER III (ARCHITECTURE) at Greenberg Farrow Architecture Incorporated$81,765CHARLOTTEWage Level IIDecided Sep 18, 2025I-200-25254-303194
- Project Manager/Architect at DAVIS KANE ARCHITECTS, PA$65,520RaleighWage Level IDecided Aug 29, 2025I-200-25235-263160
- Space Architect at DLR Group, Inc.$82,000CharlotteWage Level IDecided Aug 29, 2025I-200-25234-262118
- Architect I at Clearscapes, PA$66,976RaleighDecided Aug 13, 2025I-200-25218-224740
- Intern Architect at Housing Studio, P.A.$75,982CharlotteWage Level IDecided Jul 15, 2025I-200-25189-158519
- Job Captain at RDC-S111, Inc.$85,000HuntersvilleWage Level IIDecided Jun 18, 2025I-200-25162-081265
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 North Carolina
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 specialties in North Carolina
Real specialty titles employers file for, clustered from 11 certified offers. The most common variant is Designer at a median of $68,172.
| Specialty | Top employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Designer | Cannon Design, Inc. | 4 | $68,172 |
| JUNIOR ARCHITECTURAL STAFF | LITTLE DIVERSIFIED ARCHITECTURAL CONSULTING, INC. | 4 | $59,000 |
| Architect | Clearscapes, PA | 3 | $68,000 |
Specialties with 10 or more filings link to a dedicated breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in North Carolina 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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Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Architects in North Carolina?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Architects in North Carolina is $87,990.
- How does North Carolina compare to the national median for Architects?
- The North Carolina median is -6.0% versus the BLS national figure of $93,633.
- What is the salary range for Architects in North Carolina?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $60,750 and the 90th-percentile at $140,700, 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.