Compensation Still Strong in Architecture, Design

Words: Bronzella Cleveland

Survey: Compensation Still Strong in Architecture and Design

According to an annual salary survey conducted by the journal DesignIntelligence for the Design Futures Council, salaries remain strong in the architecture, design and engineering professions, despite the economic downturn.

The 2009 Compensation and Benefits Survey, which drew data from 460 professional practice locations in the United States representing more than 25,000 full-time staff, reports that average compensation continues to grow for recent architecture school graduates. The mean salary for a graduate with a Bachelor’s degree has risen from $39,333 in 2008 to $41,012 this year. The mean salary for a graduate with a Master’s degree has risen from $42,985 in 2008 to $47,263.

Additionally, the survey data indicates that seasoned professionals continue to see increased compensation as well. Those with 20 or more years of experience earn an average base salary of $100,723; however, the top 20 percent of this group can make $142,200.

Also included in the survey are projected compensation increases for 2010, as well as current benefits, perks, demographics, and strategic practices such as signing bonuses and cost-of-living differentials. For more information, visit www.di.net.

Elevating Masonry: Old Habits, Familiar Tools, and the Real Reason Masonry Contractors Aren’t Making the Switch
May 2026

Ask a masonry contractor how they run their jobsite, and the answer probably sounds familiar: paper logs, a flurry of texts, maybe a shared email thread. It works until it doesn’t. And yet, even as purpose-built field management software has become more a

Erin Koets
MAP Partner
Read More
The Cornerstone of Craftsmanship: Nurturing Masonry Talent Through Competition
May 2026

In the evolving landscape of skilled trades, masonry stands as a testament to enduring craftsmanship and dedication. Yet, the question of how to cultivate and showcase this vital expertise remains paramount. While the bright lights of national competition

Robert Melgaard
Resources
Read More
There’s the Typical Way to Brace a Wall. And Then There’s a Better Way.
May 2026

Wall bracing is one of the most important safety considerations on any masonry jobsite, yet it is often treated as a task that happens after the wall is built. Crews return, equipment is brought in, and time is set aside to secure walls that have already

Abigail Spung
MAP Partner
Read More
Remembering Harry McGraw
May 2026

The masonry industry has lost one of its great teachers and craftsmen with the passing of Harry Edward McGraw, who died April 26, 2026, in Houston, Texas, at the age of 93.

Dan Kamys
Read More
Interested in working with us? Learn about and join the Masonry Alliance Program →