The average architectural engineering salary can vary by experience, industry and location.
Engineering design of structures and building systems, is a practical and theoretical field that architectural engineers specialize in. Hence, the objective is to design high-performance structures that are economically viable, resilient, and safe for inhabitants’ safety, health, comfort, and productivity.
Therefore, architectural engineers employ their specialized knowledge to develop, design, construct, operate, and maintain built environments in interdisciplinary team settings by combining scientific principles from structural, mechanical, electrical, lighting, acoustical, and construction engineering.
Similarly, with formal instruction in creativity and design through architectural design studios combined with a strong engineering education, graduates of architectural engineering are typically regarded as creative systems engineers.
Find out how much an architectural engineer makes by continuing to read.
Architectural Engineering Salary Overview and Job Outlook
In the US, architectural engineering salary, on average, is $95,574. The typical bonus for an architectural engineer is $2,487, or 3% of their annual compensation, and everyone who works in the field says they get bonuses every year. The highest average annual salary for architectural engineers is $142,000 in San Francisco, California, which is 49% higher than the national average.
Undoubtedly, architectural engineering is a highly technical field that focuses on creating and enhancing buildings. Similarly, you might concentrate on a building’s structural soundness, energy-saving features, lighting layout, or plumbing, ventilation, or electrical system effectiveness, depending on the project. Therefore, you will frequently collaborate closely with other engineers and architects. A few schools and universities spread out around the nation provide degree programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
For architectural engineers, there are a plethora of job prospects. Graduates frequently take up employment offers from architectural engineering firms, consulting engineering firms, property developers, manufacturers, designers, and producers of building products and materials, facilities engineering and management groups, building owners, specialty contractors, forensic engineering consultants, building technology consultants, software developers, contractors, and construction managers. Finance, building in space, politics, creating codes, and many more non-traditional professions are also open to architectural engineers.
What are the Top 10 Cities with the Highest Paying Jobs for Architectural Engineers?
Barnstable Town, MA, is at the top of the list, followed closely by Sunnyvale, CA, Santa Cruz, CA, and Sunnyvale, CA. Santa Cruz, California surpasses the national average by $14,220 (15.2%), while Barnstable Town, Massachusetts builds on this pattern by going an additional $17,619 (18.8%) beyond the $93,821 norm.
| City | Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage |
| Barnstable Town, MA | $111,440 | $9,287 | $2,143 | $53.58 |
| Sunnyvale, CA | $111,044 | $9,254 | $2,135 | $53.39 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $108,042 | $9,003 | $2,078 | $51.94 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $107,801 | $8,983 | $2,073 | $51.83 |
| Manhattan, NY | $107,201 | $8,933 | $2,062 | $51.54 |
| Cambridge, MA | $104,263 | $8,689 | $2,005 | $50.13 |
| Arlington, VA | $103,010 | $8,584 | $1,981 | $49.52 |
| San Mateo, CA | $102,561 | $8,547 | $1,972 | $49.31 |
| New York City, NY | $102,529 | $8,544 | $1,972 | $49.29 |
| Williston, ND | $102,279 | $8,523 | $1,967 | $49.17 |
The Top 5 Related Architectural Engineer Jobs with the Best Paying Salary in the U.S.
Specifically, unlicensed architect, architectural technologist, and remote architectural technologist are three prominent instances of high paying jobs in this space.
Significantly, all of these positions pay between $7,809 (8.3%) and $11,622 (12.4%) more than the $93,821 average compensation for architectural engineers. If you meet the requirements, you might be able to earn more money than the typical Architectural Engineer employment by being hired for one of these related positions.
| Job Title | Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage |
| Unlicensed Architect | $105,443 | $8,787 | $2,028 | $50.69 |
| Architectural Technologist | $105,193 | $8,766 | $2,023 | $50.57 |
| Remote Architectural Technologist | $103,275 | $8,606 | $1,986 | $49.65 |
| 3D Architect | $102,646 | $8,554 | $1,974 | $49.35 |
| Professional Architect | $101,630 | $8,469 | $1,954 | $48.86 |
Professional Licensure for Architectural Engineers
Certainly, the majority of states mandate that engineers who wish to offer their services to the general public hold a Professional Engineer (P.E.) license. State-specific criteria may differ, however a passing grade on a professional knowledge test, like the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying’s Architectural Engineering Principles and Practice of Engineering exam, is a prerequisite that applies to all states (NCEES).
Undoubtedly, you will be quizzed on the fundamentals of structural, electrical, and mechanical engineering as they apply to the planning and construction of buildings. Hence, integration of building systems, electrical systems, and construction administration are specific topics. Surely, it is frequently necessary for architectural engineers to work under the supervision of a qualified architectural engineer.
Architectural Engineer vs Architect
Architectural engineers should not be confused with architects, despite the fact that the two professions may have certain similarities. One one hand, architectural engineers concentrate on a building’s construction and systems, such as the electrical, heating, and plumbing systems, while architects primarily focus on the design, art, and aesthetics of buildings. Therefore, in their work they apply the principles of physics, math, and engineering science. In conclusion, you can hear people refer to you as a structural engineer or come across job offers as one if you are an architectural engineer.