How to hire an architectural designer

How to hire an architectural designer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step architectural designer hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write an architectural designer job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new architectural designer
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does an architectural designer do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The architectural designer hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

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   Hiring the perfect architectural designer also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   This list presents architectural designer salaries for various positions.

   Type of Architectural Designer	Description	Hourly rate
   Architectural Designer	Drafters use software to convert the designs of engineers and architects into technical drawings. Most workers specialize in architectural, civil, electrical, or mechanical drafting and use technical drawings to help design everything from microchips to skyscrapers.	$21-37
   Drafting Internship	Drafting interns perform jobs like designing engineering drawings and visual aids, forming the detailed layout execution of distinct mechanical parts, resolve design problems in BIM models and visual presentations. Also, the pattern of new products, alter existing products using SOLIDWORKS, estimate the shipboard pipe systems, and develop a superficial model of NIDA glider using CATIA V5... Show more	$14-27
   Autocad Drafter	An Autocad Drafter develops drawings and plans for the construction and manufacturing industries. They use various types of computer-aided design and drafting software.	$14-26

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Sketch
   • SketchUp
   • BIM
   • Architectural Design
   • Building Codes
   • Construction Drawings
   • Rhino
   • Design Development
   • Construction Administration
   • Design Concepts
   • Schematic Design
   • Shop Drawings
   • Visualization
   • Design Solutions

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage in- house projects and AutoCAD drawings.
   • Manage design and coordinate construction of grind up, interior finish, conversions and remodel projects.
   • Lead the development of BIM modeling content for the architecture team as a direct report to the executive and lead architects.
   • Submit drawings to OSHPD for approval.
   • Submit & review OSHPD back check comments.
   • Participate in sustainable practices for leer certified projects.

   More architectural designer duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your architectural designer job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. An architectural designer can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, architectural designers' average salary in alabama is 34% less than in vermont.
   • Seniority. Entry-level architectural designers 42% less than senior-level architectural designers.
   • Certifications. An architectural designer with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in an architectural designer's salary.

   Average architectural designer salary

   $59,122yearly

   $28.42 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level architectural designer salary

   $45,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 24, 2025

   Average architectural designer salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	District of Columbia	$65,217	$31
   2	California	$61,788	$30
   3	New York	$61,080	$29
   4	New Jersey	$61,073	$29
   5	Maryland	$60,566	$29
   6	Massachusetts	$59,297	$29
   7	Washington	$59,263	$28
   8	Illinois	$58,766	$28
   9	Hawaii	$58,751	$28
   10	Colorado	$56,901	$27
   11	Delaware	$54,685	$26
   12	Pennsylvania	$54,261	$26
   13	Virginia	$53,799	$26
   14	Oregon	$53,517	$26
   15	Connecticut	$53,123	$26
   16	Missouri	$52,632	$25
   17	North Carolina	$52,616	$25
   18	Texas	$52,555	$25
   19	Maine	$51,615	$25
   20	Minnesota	$51,476	$25

   Average architectural designer salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Apple	$75,691	$36.39	52
   2	Google	$72,505	$34.86	109
   3	JPMorgan Chase & Co.	$68,749	$33.05	17
   4	KLA	$66,501	$31.97	11
   5	Collins & Company	$66,367	$31.91
   6	J.P. Morgan	$64,334	$30.93
   7	Lehman Smith McLeish	$64,200	$30.87
   8	MUFG EMEA	$64,044	$30.79
   9	Citi	$63,578	$30.57	2
   10	HLW	$63,398	$30.48	5
   11	Spector Group Architects	$63,197	$30.38
   12	Tesla	$63,115	$30.34	39
   13	Rafael Viñoly Architects	$63,084	$30.33
   14	Parsons	$63,083	$30.33	57
   15	Silverstein Properties	$62,873	$30.23
   16	Greenbergfarrow	$62,786	$30.19
   17	Harrison French and Associates	$62,779	$30.18	9
   18	LEO A DALY	$62,747	$30.17	1
   19	Mahlum	$62,703	$30.15
   20	Shremshock	$62,657	$30.12

4. Writing an architectural designer job description

   An architectural designer job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of an architectural designer job description:

   Architectural designer job description example

   We are Thinkers That Do!
   Delivering innovative solutions to our clients requires the best people. At WD, architects, engineers, designers, and strategists work together to impact national and global brands. With over 300 talented associates worldwide, WD is licensed in all 50 states and Canada. We provide an environment where associates gain experience, train and mentor with the best, and build a successful career!
   
   We currently have an opening for an Architectural Designer. We are open to hiring for remote work in any location. Candidates who are local to Dublin, OH or Irvine, CA would be able to work in our office and/or remote.
   
   As an Architectural Designer, you will be working on architectural design components for our clients and are responsible for the production of architectural construction documents on projects requiring intermediate level experience and design knowledge. Projects are completed in accordance with client requirements, code requirements, standards, and site adjustments. You will be expected to train, assist and provide directions and instruction within your team, as well as share knowledge, in order to produce a complete set of architectural construction documents.
   
   Preferred Experience:
   

   • Bachelor's Degree in Architecture or related field, or equivalent education and/or experience
   • Prior work experience in architecture and working on production of construction documents is helpful (required for higher level designer titles)
   • Working knowledge of AutoCAD and Revit is necessary
   • Experience working with projects in a variety of client industries, such as restaurant, retail, or healthcare is ideal

   What matters to our associates matters to us. Benefits and professional growth are at the top of the list. We provide a comprehensive benefits package that encourages our associates to live healthy lifestyles, reach financial goals, and cope with the challenges of life at work and home. We like to work hard and have fun!
   
   Check us out on www.wdpartners.com and on Instagram. You will find an opportunity to collaborate with smart, down-to-earth people who innovate with national and global brands and grow every day!

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right architectural designer for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your architectural designer job on Zippia to find and attract quality architectural designer candidates.
   • Use niche websites such as dribbble, authentic jobs, working not working, coroflot.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with architectural designer candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new architectural designer

   Once you've decided on a perfect architectural designer candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new architectural designer. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire an architectural designer?