25 Best States For Architects

Build yourself up with the 25 best states for architects. I like, many movies and television shows love architects. From Seinfeld, to How I Met Your Mother television shows have a thing with architects. There are also the endless parade of rom-coms casting their lead–usually man–as the architect on some new important skyscraper, it’s clear that architects are looked up to–whether or not they are standing on the roof of their new building.

If you want an architect’s career you have to work very hard, because in order to earn that diploma you have to be very talented and get high grades–especially in design classes. They are building structures for people to live and work in–they have to be both well designed and adhere to strict codes of safety. That is the reason why they are often paid very well, especially as they gain experience in the field.

Architects design the buildings, calculate all the material, all the costs and the needs that have to satisfy for one building, and they watch the progress of making the building. The building has to satisfy all the standards considering structure, function and the aesthetics. Of course, over time, architecture has developed into many different types. First, we can differentiate the architecture for urban areas, like cities and towns from the architecture that is specialized in religious buildings. But also, there are some other types like naval and landscape architecture, computer network architecture, but maybe the most common classification is the one that divides the interior and exterior architecture.

Considering United States Department of Labor information there are a lot of similar architect professions like Civil Engineers, Drafters, Graphic Designers, Interior Designers and more. Architecture is often considered as an art because an architect has to design a building that is stable, but also the goal is for it to be beautiful. Though of course not everyone makes this mark successfully. In fact, looking at Manhattan’s skyline there are a few standout weirdos. One tall, glass building in particular, with harsh contours and lots of metal framework, looks like it could only be housing a supernatural villain. However, aesthetics are always going to be subjective; who knows maybe that villain is very happily taking a bath in his full metal tub right now.

From the aspect of the architect, it is normal and accepted that he/she is trying to find the best place to work and live. This, of course, means they need to earn as much money and spend the least possible amount on living costs. These are the 8 Highest Paying Countries For Architects in the world, but in this case, we will concentrate on the United States. According to United States Department of Labor annual architect salary in 2015 was $82, 980 and the mean hourly wage was $39.89.

In order to make this list of best states for architects, we have used hourly wage and annual wage indicator from United States Department of Labor and the living cost index from Meric. For this research, we took into consideration two types of architects: all general architects who are not involved in landscape and naval design–and all architects and engineer managers. We combined their annual salaries and calculated the mean for each state, then we compared those results with living cost index values. For each country, we will provide information about architect’s hourly wage, living cost index and the number of architects employed in each state.

After we combined and calculated these indicators from above, we got the list of best states for architects. Let’s see the results!

25. Wyoming

Hourly wage: $36.03

Cost of Living Index: 91.7

Employment: 5,690

Big sky country is going to have a lot of windows we hope. There are thousands of architects employed in this state, working to build rural homes and small cities like Cheyenne and Jackson.

24. Mississippi

Hourly wage: $32.67

Cost of Living Index: 86

Employment: 15,660

Mississippi is slightly better–with nearly three times as many architects. That includes the emerging architects at Duvall and Decker who were just honored by the Architecture League in January.

23. West Virginia

Hourly wage: $34.24

Cost of Living Index: 95.7

Employment: 8,750

Architects in West Virginia work on all kinds of projects. This includes bridge restorations such as the Oak Ridge Bridge replacement underway currently. Plus the project doubles as a tongue twister.

22. Nevada

Hourly wage: $42.09

Cost of Living Index: 104.5

Employment: 11,580

Compared to previous states, Nevada has higher architect’s hourly wage, offers the better conditions for the architects financially speaking. Hope they get lucky enough to work on a new casino project in Vegas. Maybe their luck will continue…

21. North Dakota

Hourly wage: $31.98

Cost of Living Index: 89.9

Employment: 6,680

North Dakota is a less developed state, with lower living cost index and lower hourly wage but still better than the other states. An architect during one hour earns $31.98 which is roughly $62,000 a year.

20. Pennsylvania

Hourly wage: $38.69

Cost of Living Index: 102.8

Employment: 95,590

As you guess, Pennsylvania is more expensive for a living compared to other states, but also the hourly wage is higher compared to the other states. We could compare this state with Nevada according to cost of living index. Pennsylvania has a lower living cost index which is 102.8 (Nevada’s index is 104.5), but in Pennsylvania, an architect earns almost $2 less than Nevada’s architect.

19. Arizona

Hourly wage: $36.26

Cost of Living Index: 98.1

Employment: 49,190

Architecture is obviously very popular occupation in Arizona. This state has 49,170 architects working in cities like Phoenix and Tucson.  That includes firms like SmithGroupJRR who just promoted 3 architects to principal this month.

18. Illinois

Hourly wage: $37.8

Cost of Living Index: 95.5

Employment: 87,700

Compared to previous positions on the list of best states for architects we can conclude that Illinois is a better state that provides good working and living conditions. The main reason for that is because that state found a good balance between hourly wage and the living cost index. Also it likely has a good deal to do with the massive city of Chicago and building projects there.

17. Idaho

Hourly wage: $30.19

Cost of Living Index: 89.6

Employment: 11,800

No small potatoes here–just normal ones.  Compared to North Dakota this state has the almost double number of architects which at 11, 800. An architect in Idaho earns a very small wage during one hour. The hourly wage is $30.19. However, considering Meric living index, this state is acceptable for architects and $11,800 of them choose to work and live in this state.

16. Indiana

Hourly wage: $36.89

Cost of Living Index: 87.9

Employment: 49,630

On the number 16 of our 25 best states for architects list is Indiana. This is a very cheap state in the United States if we use as an indicator the cost of living index which is 87.9 This state employs 49,630 architects working on projects like the Salesforce Tower, the biggest building in Indianapolis.

15. Louisiana

Hourly wage: $34.92

Cost of Living Index: 94.4

Employment: 34,190

The number 15 is Louisiana. During last years this state has better economic results, the unemployment rate is decreasing. However, if you are trying to decide which state will the best for your requirements, we suggest you to keep reading and choose at least the state from the top 10 from this list.

14. New Mexico

Hourly wage: $34.14

Cost of Living Index: 95.7

Employment: 21,280

New Mexico, next on our list of best states for architects has a very strong economy based mostly on oil production and tourism and it is a very developed state with pretty low living costs. Due to these factors it is the magnet for people with many different types of occupations. When it comes to architects, we can see the situation through our indicators. The hourly wage is $34.14, and the living cost index is 95.7.

13. Nebraska

Hourly wage: $37.13

Cost of Living Index: 91.3

Employment: 11,580

Nebraska is the interesting option for you. Because this state has a very low unemployment rate of 3.4% which means the bigger possibility to get a job because of lack of working labor. This state has 11,580 architects and they aren’t all building corn mazes.

12. Oklahoma

Hourly wage: $35.37

Cost of Living Index: 88.6

Employment: 30,170

On the number 12 of our 25 best states for architects is Oklahoma. This state has a good living cost index and architect’s hourly wage. The architect’s hourly wage in this state is $35.37 and the living cost index is 88.6. 30,170 architects in this state building in cities like Oklahoma City and Tulsa.

11. Ohio

Hourly wage: $40.81

Cost of Living Index: 93

Employment: 93,140

As we moving to the top of the list we notice that are earnings by each state is increasing. For now, Ohio is the 11th best place for architects. This state has the best industrial sector when it comes to producing tomatoes, but also provides a pretty good environment people who produce buildings in which to store them. In this state architect’s hourly wage is $40.81, which is very good especially if we take into consideration very good living cost index which is 93. This state employs 93,140 architects.

10. Delaware

Hourly wage: $42.16

Cost of Living Index: 102.6

Employment: 5,360

Here it is. Top 10 of 25 best states for architects. Delaware in 10th place on the list. Considering high living cost index and a very good hourly wage compared to the other states on the list, this state is recommended for architects. The hourly wage is $42.16 and the living cost index is 102.6. This state employs 5,360 architects.

9. Colorado

Hourly wage: $34.49

Cost of Living Index: 102.1

Employment: 61,170

Colorado will give you that rocky mountain high. The state has very low unemployment rate and the economy based on the industry and tourism. Because of that, it is a good place for architects who earn $34.49 per one hour. The living cost index in this state is 102.1. 61,170 architects have chosen this state as their place for working and living–particularly in cities like Denver.

8. Missouri

Hourly wage: $37.99

Cost of Living Index: 90.8

Employment: 36,220

This state is an example for other countries because has very low living costs and good salary. In cities like St. Louis there are marvels of architecture like the arch. The hourly wage in Missouri is $37.99 and the living cost index is 90.8. But apparently 36,220 architects like this relation between the cost and salaries.

7. Michigan

Hourly wage: $37.77

Cost of Living Index: 88.2

Employment: 130,040

According to the number of architect per country, this state would be the first place (130,040 architects work in Michigan), but we are looking for the state which will provide good wages/cost of living for architects. This state is even better than Missouri because the lower living cost index which is 88.2 and the average hourly wage which is $37.77. Plus, they have tons of lakes. Who doesn’t like lakes?

6. Minnesota

Hourly wage: $42.63

Cost of Living Index: 101.1

Employment: 52,680

Now is time to see a somewhat stronger economic environment, which requires individuals to spend a little more money on living costs and economy which awards hard working. That is Minnesota. In this state work 52,680 architects and all of them are probably Vikings fans.

5. Virginia

Hourly wage: $40.63

Cost of Living Index: 100.2

Employment: 73,790

Top five ladies and gentlemen and architects! The 5th best state for architects is Virginia. There are certain cities and a number of universities that could use new buildings or have projects like University of Virginia, George Mason, and Virginia Tech.

4. North Carolina

Hourly wage: $41.81

Cost of Living Index: 94.2

Employment: 58,530

We are slowly moving to the first place of the list 25 best states for architects. The fourth place on the list is North Carolina. This state in the 2010 year marked as the ninth wealthiest state in the country. If we see the economy through our indicators we will see that states proved a very good working conditions for architects.

3. Alabama

Hourly wage: $38.87

Cost of Living Index: 91.2

Employment: 41,830

Third best state on our list of best states for architects is Alabama, sweet home. This state provides a good relation between hourly wage which is $38.87 and the living cost index which is 91.2.  Plus, who doesn’t want their home state to have a honky tonk rock and roll anthem featuring a reference to George Wallace.

2. Georgia

Hourly wage: $45.16

Cost of Living Index: 91.4

Employment: 61,170

The second place on the list of best states for architects is Georgia. This state has a slightly higher living cost index than Alabama, which is 91.4, but architect’s hourly wage is almost the same. The hourly wage in this state is $45.16 and the living cost index is 91.4. 61,170 architects have chosen to live and work in here and consume the required amount of peaches.

1. Texas

Hourly wage: $39.32

Cost of Living Index: 90.8

Employment: 239,650

The first place on the 25 best states for architects is Texas. This is the best place for architects if they want to have perfect job environment, high salary and the good life conditions filled with entertainment. The hourly wage is $39.32 and the living cost index is 90.8. This state has been chosen by 239,650 architects.