Architect Salary in Sydney (2026)

Last updated

Architects in Sydney earn a median salary of $115,000 in 2026, with most advertised roles falling between $85,000 and $160,000. That sits 21% above Sydney's all-roles median of $95,000. Figures are based on 21 jobs advertised on Seek.com.au in Sydney in the last 30 days.

◆ Specialist role Lower listing volume — 13th percentile in Sydney
💰 Architect · Sydney
ADVERTISED RANGE
$85,000 – $160,000
Median: $115,000
May $115k
Jun $115k
→ Stable

Based on 2-month data — short-term movement only.

Overall $85k–$160k $82k $98k $115k $131k $148k $164k
⚠ Low confidence 21 listings · 05/07/2026

Salary ranges are percentiles calculated from advertised employer bands on Seek.com.au. Figures represent what employers publicly advertise and may differ from actual compensation. Sample size is small — treat figures as indicative.

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Bottom 10%  $85,000 Median  $115,000 $160,000  Top 10%

Understanding the Sydney Market

Based on a small sample of 21 listings, treat this as directional. Sydney architects median $115k, a 21% premium over the city's all-roles median, with a wide $85k to $160k range that reflects the gap between recently registered architects and design leads. Demand is thin and flat (no change month on month), which is consistent with a specialised profession that hires in small numbers. The role appears only in Sydney in this dataset, so cross-city comparison is not available here.

Take Home Pay (based on median $115,000)

Weekly (net)
~$1,632
Monthly (net)
~$7,072
Annual (net)
~$84,858
Total package (incl. 2025-26 super at 11.5%) $128,225

Take-home calculated using 2025-26 ATO tax rates, no HECS debt, full Australian residency. Total package adds 11.5% superannuation to base salary. Adjust for your situation →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good starting salary for a junior Architect in Sydney?
With registration still fresh, architects start around $85k. The lever toward the top of the range is registration itself (completing the ARB pathway) plus a portfolio in a well-funded sector, commercial, health or institutional work pays more than residential. Revit and documentation skills get you hired, but design authorship on delivered projects is what moves pay up.
Is $115,000 a good salary in Sydney?
Yes. At $115k the median beats Sydney's $95k all-roles median by 21%, which is a genuine premium in an expensive city and reflects the years of study and registration the role demands. It nets roughly $85k after tax. The honest note is that architecture underpays relative to the qualification burden compared with, say, project management ($160k), so many architects eventually pivot toward delivery or development roles.
How much does a Senior Architect make in Sydney?
The top of the range reaches $160k, earned by senior or principal architects running project teams and owning client relationships. The step up is from drawing to directing: leading design across a project, managing juniors and taking commercial responsibility for fees and timelines. Registration plus a signature body of built work is the credential that gets you there.

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Data sourced from publicly listed job advertisements. Not affiliated with or endorsed by Seek or any third-party platforms. Salary ranges represent advertised figures and may differ from actual compensation. Updated monthly.