Architect Salary UK: Understanding Hourly and Annual Pay

If you're an architect or considering a career in architecture, knowing the typical architect salary is essential for negotiating your pay or planning your finances. In the UK, architect salaries vary widely depending on experience, practice size, location, and whether you work full-time or part-time. This guide uses the latest official data to explain hourly rates, annual salaries, and how to convert between them.

Key Salary Benchmarks for Architects

The most authoritative source for architect-specific pay is the annual RIBA/Fees Bureau Employment and Earnings Survey. For 2025, the median full-time architect salary is £52,000 per year, a 4% rise from 2024. This is significantly higher than the UK median full-time salary of £39,039 reported by the ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) for all employees.

Salaries increase with seniority:

• Architects registered for 5 years or more: median £45,000
• Associate Directors or Associates: median £53,000
• Salaried partners or non-shareholder directors: median £64,000

These figures are for basic salary excluding overtime, and are converted to full-time equivalents for part-time workers.

Hourly Rates and the National Living Wage

To understand the hourly equivalent of an architect salary, you need to know the typical working week. According to the RIBA Workplace Wellbeing Practice Note, average working hours in RIBA Chartered Practices are 37 hours per week. Using this assumption:

• A £52,000 annual salary equates to roughly £27.03 per hour (£52,000 ÷ 37 ÷ 52).
• A £45,000 salary equates to about £23.38 per hour.
• A £64,000 salary equates to about £33.27 per hour.

All architects must be paid at least the National Living Wage (NLW). In April 2025, the NLW for employees aged 21 and over was £12.21 per hour. However, RIBA Chartered Practices are required to pay the Real Living Wage, which is higher. The Living Wage Foundation announced new rates in October 2025: £14.80 per hour in London and £13.45 per hour in the rest of the UK, to be implemented by May 2026.

Converting Hourly to Annual Salary

If you know your hourly rate, you can estimate your annual salary using the formula:

Annual salary ≈ hourly rate × hours per week × 52 weeks

For a typical 37-hour week:

• £15/hr → £28,860 per year
• £20/hr → £38,480 per year
• £25/hr → £48,100 per year
• £30/hr → £57,720 per year

Remember that this assumes a steady contracted week with no unpaid overtime. Many architects work additional hours, and about a third of practices do not offer overtime pay or time off in lieu. If you regularly work extra hours without compensation, your effective hourly rate may fall below the Real Living Wage.

Part-Time and Full-Time Considerations

The RIBA survey found that 13% of architects work part-time. When comparing salaries, part-time pay is often reported as a full-time equivalent (FTE). For example, if you work 3 days a week (22.2 hours) and earn £30,000, your FTE salary would be about £50,000 (assuming a 37-hour week).

When converting a part-time hourly rate to an annual salary, use your actual contracted hours. For instance, 20 hours per week at £25/hr gives £26,000 per year (20 × 52 × £25).

London Weighting and Regional Variations

Salaries for architects vary by region. The RIBA Jobs Salary Report provides average salaries by region and practice size. London practices typically pay more to account for higher living costs. The Real Living Wage for London is £14.80/hr, compared to £13.45 elsewhere, reflecting this difference.

If you're considering a move, check our salary data for regional breakdowns. You can also use our hourly calculator to see how different rates translate to annual pay.

Overtime and Working Hours

Architecture is known for long hours. The RIBA Workplace Wellbeing Practice Note states that average working hours are 37 per week, but larger practices tend to have slightly longer hours. Only 53% of practices offer overtime pay or time off in lieu (TOIL) to all staff, while 33% offer no recompense at all.

If you work unpaid overtime, your effective hourly rate drops. For example, if you're contracted for 37 hours but regularly work 45, a £52,000 salary becomes an effective hourly rate of about £22.22 instead of £27.03. Always check your contract and discuss overtime policies with your employer.

How Architect Salaries Compare to UK Averages

The UK median full-time salary across all occupations is £39,039 (ONS ASHE 2025), with median hourly earnings of £19.67. Architects earn well above this, reflecting the specialised training and professional qualifications required. However, early-career architects may earn less, especially during Part 1 and Part 2 placements.

For more context on UK pay benchmarks, read our salary articles covering different professions and conversion tips.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I convert an hourly architect rate to an annual salary? Multiply your hourly rate by your contracted weekly hours, then by 52. For a typical 37-hour week, annual salary ≈ hourly × 37 × 52. For example, £27 per hour gives about £52,000 per year. Always check your contract for exact hours and any overtime arrangements.

What is the average architect salary in the UK for 2025? According to the RIBA/Fees Bureau survey, the median full-time architect salary is £52,000 as of April 2025. This is a 4% increase from 2024. Salaries vary by experience, practice size, and region. For example, architects with 5+ years' experience earn a median of £45,000, while associate directors earn around £53,000.

Does the architect salary include London weighting or overtime pay? The RIBA survey asks for basic salary excluding overtime. London weighting is not separately reported, but the Real Living Wage for London is higher (£14.80/hr vs £13.45 elsewhere). Many practices offer time off in lieu or overtime pay, but about a third do not. Always check your contract for overtime policies.

Disclaimer

Hourly-to-salary figures assume a steady contracted week with no unpaid overtime, bonus, tips or salary sacrifice. Annual ≈ hourly × hours/week × 52. Actual pay depends on rota, holiday pay method, London weighting and overtime rules. Always check your contract and official GOV.UK guidance.