Architects: average salary and pay in the UK
Full-time architects in the UK earned a median £47,143 in the year to 5 April 2025, according to the ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE): 21% more than the £39,039 median for all full-time jobs.
What the figures show
That ranks 76th of 382 occupations on this measure.
The middle half of full-time jobs paid between £37,342 and £55,262.
Median full-time pay: women £42,637 a year, men £47,908 a year.
ASHE counts roughly 36,000 employee jobs, 92% full-time.
Since 2021 it has risen 12.3%, from £41,993, slower than the 25.0% for all jobs.
The Annual Population Survey counts 61,000 people in this line of work, 20% of them in South East.
Pay distribution, 2025 provisional
| Gross pay | Full-time, annual | Full-time, weekly | Full-time, hourly | All, annual | All, weekly | All, hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | £32,728 | £582.70 | £15.33 | £31,434* | £531.90* | £14.80 |
| 20th percentile | £36,357 | £684.40 | £19.04 | £35,554 | £670.80 | £18.51 |
| 25th percentile | £37,342 | £718.60 | £19.61 | £36,831 | £682.20 | £19.57 |
| 30th percentile | £38,466 | £759.60 | £20.53 | £37,850 | £718.30 | £20.54 |
| 40th percentile | £42,863 | £824.10 | £21.87 | £41,456 | £786.30 | £22.38 |
| Median (50th percentile) | £47,143 | £896.60 | £23.40 | £45,625 | £862.40 | £23.43 |
| 60th percentile | £49,771 | £954.10 | £25.26 | £49,168 | £922.90 | £25.53 |
| 70th percentile | £53,478 | £1,031.60 | £27.48 | £53,003 | £1,012.50 | £27.60 |
| 75th percentile | £55,262* | £1,101.00* | £28.92* | £54,100* | £1,076.10* | £29.21* |
| 80th percentile | – | – | – | – | £1,146.00* | £30.90* |
| Mean | £50,690 | £975.10 | £25.83 | £49,212 | £935.10 | £25.76 |
Pay since 2021
| ASHE year | Full-time, annual median | Full-time, weekly median | Full-time, hourly median | All, annual median | All, weekly median | Jobs (thousands, indicative) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 revised | £41,993 | £804.90 | £21.41 | £40,606 | £792.40 | 44 |
| 2022 revised | £43,463 | £843.30 | £21.95 | £42,113 | £806.50 | 42 |
| 2023 revised | £45,895 | £862.40 | £22.61 | £43,591 | £837.60 | 42 |
| 2024 revised | £47,833 | £930.80 | £25.02 | £46,290 | £898.60 | 37 |
| 2025 provisional | £47,143 | £896.60 | £23.40 | £45,625 | £862.40 | 36 |
Architects by region
UK: 61,000 (± 9,600), April 2025 to March 2026. 11 of the 12 regions and nations have samples too small to publish.
| Region or nation | People in employment | 95% confidence interval |
|---|---|---|
| South East | 12,200* | ± 4,400 |
Annual Population Survey (Nomis)
What architects do
Architects plan and design the construction and development of buildings and land areas with regard to functional and aesthetic requirements. (ONS SOC 2020, 2451)
Also covers: architect, chartered architect, landscape architect, formwork designer, landscape craftsman, landscape designer, project architect, structural designer, associate (professional, architect) and reinforced concrete designer.
- Liaises with client and other professionals to establish building type, style, cost limitations and landscaping requirements
- Studies condition and characteristics of site, taking into account drainage, topsoil, trees, rock formations, etc.
- Analyses site survey and advises client on development and construction details and ensures that proposed design blends in with the surrounding area
- Prepares detailed scale drawings and specifications for design and construction and submits these for planning approval
- Monitors construction work in progress to ensure compliance with specifications
Entrants require a professional qualification in architecture that will encompass an accredited degree and postgraduate qualification, and at least two years practical experience.
Related
Architects, chartered architectural technologists, planning officers, surveyors and construction professionals (median £47,496) · Chartered architectural technologists, planning officers and consultants · Quantity surveyors · salary percentile · UK real pay growth · Median
ASHE Table 14: 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 · coding index · notes · 15 October 2026