Salary data is based on the Richmond, VA metropolitan area and applied to Richmond using local cost-of-living adjustments.

Architects Salaries in Richmond, VA

Average Base Pay

$90,564/yr

1% below national average

Monthly

$7,547

Hourly

$44

Cost Index

Architects in Richmond, VA earn an average of $90,564 per year, with most salaries falling between $72,451 and $108,677 depending on experience, employer, and specialization. At 1% below the national average, Richmond offers a more modest rate for this role, in part reflecting a local cost of living index of 93. For professionals evaluating a move or negotiating an offer, the headline salary is only part of the picture—what matters most is how far that income actually goes once taxes, rent, and daily expenses are factored in. The sections below break that down in full for Richmond.

Salary Range

The chart below shows the full compensation spectrum for this role, from entry-level to senior positions. The highlighted center bars represent the 25th–75th percentile band where most professionals are paid.

$68K
Low

$91K
Median

$113K
High

25th percentile: $77K75th percentile: $104K

About Architects

Architects design buildings and built environments that are functional, safe, aesthetically considered, and responsive to the needs of their occupants and communities. They manage projects from initial concept through construction, working with clients to understand requirements, developing design solutions, producing construction documents, coordinating with engineers and contractors, and overseeing construction to ensure design intent is realized. The design process blends technical mastery with creative vision: architects must satisfy building codes and zoning regulations, structural and mechanical system constraints, accessibility requirements, and sustainability goals—all while creating spaces that inspire, function efficiently, and endure. They produce detailed architectural drawings using CAD and BIM software such as Revit, coordinate with structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineers, and manage client relationships through years-long projects. Construction administration involves reviewing shop drawings, responding to requests for information, and conducting site visits to verify contractor compliance with plans and specifications. Architectural licensure requires a professional degree from an accredited program, completion of the Architectural Experience Program (AXP), and passage of the Architect Registration Examination (ARE).

What Architects Do

Develop design concepts through schematic and design development phases
Produce construction documents including drawings and specifications
Ensure designs comply with building codes, zoning, and accessibility requirements
Coordinate with structural, MEP, and civil engineers on building systems
Manage client relationships and lead project meetings
Conduct construction administration including site visits and RFI responses
Prepare and manage project proposals, scopes, and fees
Incorporate sustainability strategies and pursue LEED certification where required

Key Skills & Qualifications

Architectural design and spatial problem-solving
Revit and AutoCAD for BIM and CAD production
Building codes including IBC, ADA, and local zoning regulations
Construction documentation and specification writing
Project management for multi-year complex projects
Client communication and design presentation
Architectural licensure (AIA registered architect)
LEED accreditation (valuable for sustainable design focus)

Career Path

Architectural Intern (AXP)
Project Architect (RA)
Senior Architect
Associate Principal
Principal / Firm Principal

Architects Market in Richmond, VA

Salary Competitiveness

Richmond salaries for Architects track closely with the national median, diverging by less than 4%. This alignment suggests a competitive but balanced local market—employers are broadly in step with national pay scales, which can make benchmark comparisons more reliable when negotiating.

Cost of Living Impact

Richmond sits close to the national cost average. Monthly essential expenses represent about 45% of take-home pay for this role—a midrange ratio that allows for modest savings and discretionary spending, provided housing costs remain stable.

Effective Purchasing Power

After adjusting for local taxes and cost of living, a Architects earning $90,564 in Richmond reaches a strong purchasing-power position. The effective standard of living this income supports is materially higher than the gross number alone implies—a useful data point for professionals comparing offers across metro areas.

vs. National Avg

-1%

Cost Pressure

45%

Purchasing Power

Strong

Take-Home Pay Calculator

Enter any gross salary to see how federal and state taxes affect your actual take-home pay, broken down by year, month, and week. Results use an estimated effective tax rate of 27% based on this location and income level.

Annual Salary

Take-home (73%)Taxes (27%)

Annual Net

$66,112

Monthly

$5,509

Weekly

$1,271

Eff. Tax Rate

27%

A gross salary of $90,564 for a Architects in Richmond translates to roughly $5,509 in monthly take-home pay after estimated federal and state taxes. Set against monthly living costs of $2,500—covering housing, food, transportation, utilities, and healthcare—that leaves approximately $3,009 per month in disposable income. That margin, not the gross number, is what determines whether you can comfortably cover rent, build savings, and afford discretionary spending in Richmond's current market.

How far does this salary go in Richmond?

Cost of Living in Richmond

Estimated monthly expenses for a single person in Richmond, benchmarked against US regional price indices for housing, food, transportation, utilities, and healthcare.

Cost Index

Below Avg — US average is 100. Based on a single person (1-bed apartment).

🏠Housing / Rent$1,420/mo

🍔Food & Groceries$480/mo

🚗Transportation$130/mo

💡Utilities$175/mo

🏥Healthcare$295/mo

Monthly$2,500

Annual$30,000

Disposable Income$3,009

Financial Reality Check

This section compares estimated monthly take-home pay against typical living costs in Richmond to show your real disposable income—the amount remaining after essential bills are paid each month.

Monthly Take-Home

$5,509

Living Costs

$2,500

Disposable

$3,009

Cost Index

Lifestyle

Comfortable

With a monthly take-home of $5,509, your estimated living costs in Richmond are $2,500 ($30,000/yr). This leaves $3,009 per month in disposable income, indicating a comfortable standard of living. Richmond's cost of living is 7% below the national average.

Overall, a Architects earning $90,564 in Richmond falls into a comfortable lifestyle tier and has meaningful room to save, invest, and absorb unexpected expenses without financial stress. With a cost index of 93, Richmond is 7% more affordable than the national average, which extends your purchasing power. Regardless of tier, prioritizing retirement contributions, an emergency fund of three to six months' expenses, and incremental debt reduction will yield the greatest long-term financial stability—especially as living costs in Richmond continue to evolve.