SOC 2451 Business, media and public service professionals

Architects Salary

Median salary £41,631 per year (2020). Based on ONS ASHE data.

Gross pay, before deductions. See take-home pay on £42,000 after tax and National Insurance →

For architects, £42,968 is the typical (median) pay. That is above the UK full-time median of £39,039 — +10% versus the national average.

About this role

Architects design buildings and spaces, creating functional, safe and aesthetically considered environments. They manage the design process from concept through planning permission to construction, ensuring compliance with building regulations and sustainability standards.

Key responsibilities

Developing designs from concept to detailed plans
Preparing planning applications and building regulation submissions
Producing construction drawings and specifications
Coordinating with engineers and contractors
Conducting site visits to monitor construction

Qualifications and entry routes

Requires the ARB/RIBA three-part qualification: Part 1 (3-year degree), Part 2 (2-year diploma/masters) and Part 3 (professional practice exam). Minimum 7 years training. ARB registration is mandatory.

Career outlook

Demand fluctuates with construction cycles. Sustainable design, retrofit and BIM expertise are increasingly valued.

Key skills

Architectural design CAD and BIM software Building regulations Project coordination Client communication

Common industries

Architecture practices
Property development
Local authority planning
Heritage conservation
Interior architecture

Data coverage

SOC code 2451

Data source ONS ASHE

Years available 2015–2020

Estimated jobs 37,000

Median Salary

£41,631

Mean Salary

£46,038

Jobs (000s)

37k

Data Years

6 years

Salary Range (2020)

P25: £30,993Median: £41,631

P10: --P25: £31kMedian: £42kP75: --P90: --

Estimated Career Progression

Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation

Entry Level

£30,993

0-2 years

Mid Level

£30,993

3-7 years

Salary Trend (2015-2020)

Adjust for inflation

Nominal growth: +12.7%Real growth: +3.5%

Gender Pay Comparison (2020)

Full-time vs All Employees (2020)

All Employees

£41,631

Full-time Only

£42,968

Full-time premium: +£1,337

Architects salary: common questions

How much do architects earn in the UK?

Architects earn a median of £42,968 a year (ONS ASHE 2020).

Is £42,968 a good salary in the UK?

For architects, £42,968 is the typical (median) pay. That is above the UK full-time median of £39,039 — +10% versus the national average.

What is the starting salary for architects?

Entry-level architects typically start near the lower end of the range. The bottom 25% earn up to £30,993, though this varies by employer and region.

Have architects salaries kept up with inflation?

Since 2015, median architects pay has risen from £38,353 to £42,968 — +12% in cash terms, or +3.0% after CPIH inflation. That is ahead of inflation over the period.

Figures: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, gross annual pay. UK full-time median £39,039 (2020).