Salary Survey (Titles Defined)

Excerpted from the AIA* Compensation Report: A Survey of U.S. Architecture Firms salary survey.

To collect uniform comparative data about compensation at U.S. architecture firms, the AIA Economics and Market Research team defines typical positions in a typical architecture firm as shown below. These descriptions may or may not be descriptive of positions within your firm, and are provided for information only.

ENTRY-LEVEL INTERN
Unlicensed architecture school graduate in first year of internship.

SECOND-YEAR INTERN
Unlicensed architecture school graduate in second year of internship.

THIRD-YEAR INTERN
Unlicensed architecture school graduate in third year of internship; develops design or technical solutions under supervision of an architect.

ARCHITECT/DESIGNER I
Recently licensed architect or non-registered graduate with 3-5 years of experience; responsible for particular parts of a project within parameters set by others.

ARCHITECT/DESIGNER II
Licensed architect or non-registered graduate with 6-8 years of experience; responsible for daily design or technical development of project.

ARCHITECT/DESIGNER III
Licensed architect or non-registered graduate with 8-10 years experience; responsible for significant aspects of projects. Responsible for work on minor projects. Selects, evaluates, and implements procedures and techniques used on projects.

PROJECT MANAGER
Licensed architect or non-registered graduate with more than 10 years of experience; has overall project management responsibility for a variety of projects or project teams, including client contact, scheduling, and budgeting.

CAD/BIM MANAGER
Responsible for implementation, standards, upgrades, and training of CAD technology.

DEPARTMENT HEAD/SENIOR MANAGER
Senior management architect or non-registered graduate; responsible for major department(s) or functions; reports to a principal or partner.

JUNIOR PRINCIPAL/PARTNER
Recently made a partner or principal of the firm; title may include vice president.

MID-LEVEL PRINCIPAL/PARTNER
Principal or partner; titles may include executive or senior vice president.

SENIOR PRINCIPAL/PARTNER /OWNER
Typically an owner or majority shareholder of the firm; may be the founder; titles may include president, chief executive officer, or managing principal/partner.

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