Architect.
Atlanta.
$90,000
median salary, 2% above the national average
$69,000 to $120,000. Updated for 2026.
The numbers.
Everything you need to negotiate with confidence.
Atlanta is 2% more expensive than the national average. For Architects, that shakes out to a median of $90,000, with the full range spanning $69,000 to $120,000. Licensure status, project type specialization, and geographic market create the widest salary gaps. Know the range before you walk in.
Salary range
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How Atlanta compares
Atlanta, GA
$90,000
Cost of living: 2% above average
National Average
$88,000
Atlanta is $2,000 above
What you should know
The Architect landscape in Atlanta is not what most salary sites will tell you. Atlanta is a logistics and corporate powerhouse, home to Coca Cola, Delta, Home Depot, and UPS. The city's tech scene has expanded rapidly with major investments from Google, Microsoft, and a thriving fintech community. Atlanta offers strong salaries relative to its moderate cost of living, making it one of the best value metros for professionals. Licensure status, project type specialization, and geographic market create the widest salary gaps. Licensed architects working on large commercial, healthcare, or institutional projects in major metro areas earn 20 to 35% more than unlicensed designers working on residential projects.
Architectural Designers before licensure earn $68,000 to $80,000. Licensed Architects with five to eight years of experience reach $85,000 to $105,000. Project Architects and Senior Architects command $100,000 to $130,000, while Principals and Partners can earn $140,000 to $250,000. In Atlanta, cost of living sits near the national average, so the numbers you see are roughly what you keep.
Base salary is not the full picture. Principals and partners at architecture firms often receive profit-sharing distributions of $20,000 to $100,000 or more. Project completion bonuses of 5 to 10% are common. Professional development and licensure exam reimbursement are standard benefits. And on the tax side: georgia has a graduated income tax with a top rate of 5.49%. Atlanta does not impose a separate city income tax, keeping the combined burden below most northeastern cities. When someone quotes you $90,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Mention Atlanta's role as a regional tech capital. Employers are investing heavily to retain talent against poaching from coastal firms offering remote positions. The range for Architects in Atlanta runs from $69,000 to $120,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Top industries in Atlanta
Negotiating in Atlanta
Mention Atlanta's role as a regional tech capital. Employers are investing heavily to retain talent against poaching from coastal firms offering remote positions.