Architect Salary: Highest Paying Architecture Jobs in Australia

Key takeaways 

• Architect salaries in Australia typically range from $95k to $115k, with senior and specialised roles earning significantly more. 
• Design Managers and Planning Managers sit at the top of the architecture salary spectrum, often exceeding $165k a year. 
• Salaries vary widely based on experience, project type, firm size, and state. 

Architecture remains one of Australia’s most active design industries, and many job seekers want clarity on how much does an architect earn today. Recent market trends show improving confidence in salary satisfaction, which fell to –25 in 2021, has recovered to –1 nationally in 2025.  

With the industry stabilising and project demand growing, it’s still good to know the exact numbers of how much an architect earns. This guide outlines architect salary expectations across Australia, from entry-level earnings to the highest paid specialised roles, using the latest SEEK data. 

• Highest paying architecture jobs in Australia 
• How much does an architect earn in Australia 
• Highest paid architects in Australia 
• Explore more architecture insights in Australia 

Highest paying finance jobs in Australia 

The table below summarises the top-paying roles within architecture and its related design fields, using SEEK’s most recent salary insights. 

 
How much does an architect earn in Australia? 

SEEK data shows the average architect salary in Australia typically ranges from $95k to $115k per year, with earnings influenced by experience, registration status and project type. Other factors include whether the role sits within private practice, commercial development, or public-sector planning. 

Architect salaries by city & region (Australia) 

While exact salary data varies across regions, broader architecture-related
earning patterns show clear differences between major metropolitan areas
and high-demand regional hubs: 

• Canberra leads salary outcomes for architecture-aligned roles, averaging around $154k, driven by consistent government, urban planning, and infrastructure development work. 
• Darwin follows with an average of $130k, reflecting strong demand in defence, remote infrastructure, and community development projects. 
• Brisbane and Sydney both record averages of $110k, supported by steady commercial construction, residential expansion, and large-scale redevelopment projects. 
• Newcastle, Maitland & Hunter reports average earnings of $105k, buoyed by industrial precinct growth and ongoing urban regeneration. 
• Adelaide and Perth sit around $100k, with opportunities across education, healthcare upgrades, and regional development. 
• Gold Coast and Gosford–Central Coast average between $95k and $100k, supported by growing tourism, hospitality, and mixed-use project pipelines. 
• Melbourne reports an average salary of $95k, reflecting strong competition but stable demand across commercial and residential sectors. 

Architect salaries by state (Australia) 

Statewide architecture salary trends show additional variation, often linked to infrastructure priorities, population growth, and public-sector investment: 

• The Australian Capital Territory records the highest statewide average at approximately $154k supported by government planning, cultural precinct upgrades, and major institutional projects. 
• The Northern Territory follows at around $130k driven by defence programs, community housing, and remote infrastructure development. 
• New South Wales and Queensland both sit around $105k-$110k, reflecting strong commercial markets and large-scale urban development projects. 
• South Australia, Tasmania, and Western Australia record similar averages of about $100k, with steady opportunities across government-led upgrades and regional infrastructure works. 
• Victoria reports an average salary of $95k, with competitive roles in architecture firms, design studios, and thriving mixed-use urban precincts. 

These figures show that while major states like NSW and Queensland offer extensive employment opportunities, Canberra, Darwin, and key regional centres such as Newcastle and Hunter provide some of the strongest earning potential for architects, especially for those open to relocation or specialised project work. 

Highest paid architect 

Below are the top-paying architecture-related roles to look out for. 

Landscape Architect salary 

Landscape Architects plan and design outdoor spaces such as parks, streetscapes, campuses, and public areas. They focus on creating functional, sustainable environments while working closely with planners, architects, and engineers across public and private projects. 

• Average salary: AUD $80k–$100k per year 

Earnings increase for senior roles involved in large-scale infrastructure, public realm, and environmental projects that require advanced coordination and expertise. 

Design Manager salary 

Design Managers lead the design process for major construction and development projects. They coordinate design teams, manage timelines and budgets, ensure
compliance, and align design outcomes with client and business objectives. 

• Average salary: AUD $165k-$185k per year 

Higher earnings are common in large commercial, industrial, and government
projects, where complexity and leadership responsibility are
significantly greater. 

Planning Manager salary 

Planning Managers oversee land use, development approvals, and planning strategies for large projects. They work with architects, developers, and government
bodies to ensure developments meet regulatory, environmental, and
community requirements. 

• Average salary: AUD $150k-$170k per year 

Salaries tend to be higher in government-led, infrastructure, and large urban
development projects where strategic planning and regulatory expertise are critical. 

Explore more architecture salary insights in Australia 

Understanding how much architects get paid across different specialisations will help you make informed career decisions. Whether you're new to the field or planning your next career move, exploring the full range of SEEK salary insights can help you compare roles, analyse earning potential across states, and discover job opportunities that match your skills and goals. 

Source: SEEK data, roles based on average advertised salaries of over $150,000 for
job ads listed on SEEK from July 23 to June 24 to July 24 to June 25. A minimum threshold of job ads on SEEK is required for a role to appear in this table.