Salary distribution
Where Virginia architects fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $77,600 and $125,160, with a median of $97,140.
Architects in Virginia: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 23 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $79,934. 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 | 12 | $75,400 |
| Level II — qualified | 6 | $100,434 |
| Level III — experienced | 2 | $112,351 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Architects in Virginia. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| HDR Architecture, Inc. | Design Coordinator | 5 | $108,368 |
| Cooper Carry, Inc. | Designer II | 3 | $72,363 |
| VMDO Architects, P.C. | Design Professional | 2 | $69,971 |
| CANNON DESIGN, INC. | DESIGNER - ARCHITECTURAL (PATH TO LICENSURE) | 2 | $66,900 |
| RDC-S111, Inc. | Job Captain | 2 | $87,126 |
| Merge Architects, Inc. | Designer | 1 | $78,333 |
| Hanbury Evans Wright Vlattas Company | Designer | 1 | $59,910 |
| LAS Group LLC | Architect | 1 | $112,195 |
| FORMDesign LLC | Architect | 1 | $72,363 |
| VSW LLC | Architectural Designer | 1 | $72,400 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Designer at Merge Architects, Inc.$78,333CharlottesvilleWage Level IDecided Jul 28, 2025I-200-25202-189703
- Designer II at Cooper Carry, Inc.$72,363AlexandriaWage Level IDecided Jul 1, 2025I-200-25175-123895
- Designer at Hanbury Evans Wright Vlattas Company$59,910NorfolkDecided Jun 26, 2025I-200-25169-106965
- Design Professional at VMDO Architects, P.C.$61,526CharlottesvilleWage Level IDecided Jun 23, 2025I-200-25164-092507
- Architect at LAS Group LLC$112,195RestonWage Level IIIDecided Jun 18, 2025I-200-25162-080973
- Design Professional at VMDO Architects, P.C.$78,416CharlottesvilleWage Level IIDecided Jun 4, 2025I-200-25148-026269
- Architect at FORMDesign LLC$72,363FairfaxWage Level IDecided Jun 3, 2025I-200-25147-020525
- Architectural Designer at VSW LLC$72,400McLeanWage Level IDecided May 29, 2025I-200-25141-002025
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 Virginia
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 Virginia
Real specialty titles employers file for, clustered from 10 certified offers. The most common variant is Architect at a median of $100,334.
| Specialty | Top employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Architect | LAS Group LLC | 6 | $100,334 |
| Designer | Cooper Carry, Inc. | 4 | $72,363 |
Specialties with 10 or more filings link to a dedicated breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Virginia 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 Virginia
Metro-level salary data for architects in major Virginia metropolitan areas.
- Virginia Beach$114,630
- Richmond$92,840
Compare Architects pay across nearby states
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Architects in Virginia?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Architects in Virginia is $97,140.
- How does Virginia compare to the national median for Architects?
- The Virginia median is +3.7% versus the BLS national figure of $93,633.
- What is the salary range for Architects in Virginia?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $62,600 and the 90th-percentile at $157,230, 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.