How to hire an architectural project manager

How to hire an architectural project manager, step by step

Here's a step-by-step architectural project manager 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 project manager job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new architectural project manager
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does an architectural project manager do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The architectural project manager 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?

   Yes

   No

   An architectural project manager's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, architectural project managers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list shows salaries for various types of architectural project managers.

   Type of Architectural Project Manager	Description	Hourly rate
   Architectural Project Manager	Construction managers plan, coordinate, budget, and supervise construction projects from start to finish.	$29-79
   Construction Superintendent	A construction superintendent's role is to oversee all construction plans and operations, ensuring quality completion within a specified timeframe. Some of their responsibilities are to inspect all sites, coordinate with contractors and engineers, manage the budget and expenditure, purchase necessary materials and equipment, and make schedules... Show more	$29-59
   General Contractor	The job of general contractors is to oversee the day-to-day operations of projects in the organization. General contractors are considered seasoned experts when it comes to home improvement... Show more	$19-51

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Revit
   • Project Management
   • Healthcare
   • Building Codes
   • Architectural Project
   • CAD
   • Oversight
   • Design Development
   • Real Estate
   • Architectural Design
   • Business Development
   • Project Design
   • BIM
   • Sketch

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Lead safety compliance by conducting regular safety meetings with subcontractors and strictly enforcing safety policies and procedures, including OSHA regulations.
   • Utilize REVIT to create a BIM model of the house before construction.
   • Develop drawings of architectural, structural, and MEP.
   • Prepare detailed working drawing and bill of quantities and estimate in Revit.
   • Staff management, design solutions , 3D modeling, rendering, and visualization.
   • Develop specifications, solicit and evaluate bids, award contracts, and carry out QA inspections.

   More architectural project manager duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your architectural project manager job description helps attract top candidates to the position. An architectural project manager salary can be affected by several factors, such as geography, experience, seniority, certifications, and the prestige of the hiring company.

   For example, the average salary for an architectural project manager in Iowa may be lower than in Connecticut, and an entry-level architectural project manager usually earns less than a senior-level architectural project manager. Additionally, an architectural project manager with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.

   Average architectural project manager salary

   $102,292yearly

   $49.18 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level architectural project manager salary

   $62,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 19, 2025

   Average architectural project manager salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Connecticut	$121,653	$58
   2	Maryland	$115,395	$55
   3	California	$114,793	$55
   4	Massachusetts	$112,870	$54
   5	Michigan	$107,901	$52
   6	Ohio	$107,880	$52
   7	Maine	$102,049	$49
   8	Wisconsin	$101,630	$49
   9	Pennsylvania	$101,435	$49
   10	Illinois	$100,357	$48
   11	Oregon	$96,882	$47
   12	Texas	$96,325	$46
   13	New York	$95,486	$46
   14	Indiana	$95,091	$46
   15	Nevada	$93,885	$45
   16	Arizona	$93,481	$45
   17	District of Columbia	$86,493	$42
   18	Missouri	$85,280	$41
   19	Washington	$84,863	$41
   20	Georgia	$83,389	$40

   Average architectural project manager salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Meta	$171,317	$82.36	53
   2	Apple	$163,979	$78.84	13
   3	ZS	$162,134	$77.95
   4	NVIDIA	$148,430	$71.36	10
   5	Bed Bath & Beyond	$143,950	$69.21
   6	Nike	$141,139	$67.86
   7	United Real Estate	$140,568	$67.58
   8	Beazer Homes	$139,814	$67.22
   9	Alliance of Professionals & Consultants	$137,112	$65.92	6
   10	General Motors	$136,887	$65.81
   11	Workday	$136,415	$65.58
   12	Burlington	$131,995	$63.46
   13	Taylor Morrison	$130,871	$62.92	1
   14	Alexion Pharmaceuticals	$130,848	$62.91
   15	NIO	$130,809	$62.89
   16	SC Johnson	$130,421	$62.70
   17	STV Group	$128,767	$61.91	50
   18	Armstrong World Industries	$128,166	$61.62
   19	Terra Construction Group, Inc.	$127,460	$61.28	1
   20	ValueMomentum	$123,978	$59.60

4. Writing an architectural project manager job description

   An architectural project manager 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. To help get you started, here's an example of an architectural project manager job description:

   Architectural project manager job description example

   As part of the regional store planning / architecture team and reporting to Store Planning Director in Americas and in dotted line to WW Architecture Visual Projects Manager in the Head Quarter, you ensure the realization and implementation of mainly special and ephemeral projects connected with Architecture, Image and Visual in Americas.
   Job Description
   
   HOW YOU WILL CONTRIBUTE
   Different Projects (pop-ups/pop-ins/windows/Art in store/Visuals/Screens/Special projects/Mannequins, etc..) management with different sizes and budgets to ensure the perfect construction and implementation of the projects within the Americas Region according to the process and requirements of the company. In direct link and management of local architects, suppliers (millworkers, GC, etc..) to ensure a perfect execution on time and in budget. Establish contacts with local architectural teams, landlords and malls to obtain locations drawings, guidelines and all the necessary start up information to share with WW Special Projects team in order to design the projects. Ensure the budget and planning in partner with the local SP Director, finance, retail and VM tea WW Special Project team, the local architects/suppliers and all the stakeholders related to the projects (inside the company like Region Visual Merchandise or Communication and outside). Support and coordinate with WW Special Projects team to prepare location layouts and organize internal reviews with all the necessary parts involved. Prepare reports (budgets, timing, production and implementations, etc..) which are to be updated regularly parallel to the development of the projects and shared with local SP Director and WW Special Projects team. Support local director and WW Special Projects team with negotiations and bidding process, not only with suppliers but also with landlords or malls. Evaluate and share for approvals the construction drawings/samples/engineering with WW Special teams to ensure quality, consistency and of projects and concepts Organize and check the works with physical visits from construction to installation sites and prepare all the necessary reports from development to the completion of snagging lists according to the company guidelines Collect all the relevant information/drawings and keep records according to the processes of the company Partner and active communication with all the different local teams.
   
   WHO YOU ARE
   Degree in architecture, interior design or visual design (bachelor or similar) 3 - 5 years of relevant and similar luxury retail experience in the ephemeral environment with a general knowledge of construction and work site management. Passionate about your job and interested on the news on the market and able to grow in a dynamic team. Teamwork, detail oriented, proactive and highly organized able to work under pressure, tight deadlines and changes. Skilled in problem solving and in working on different projects simultaneously Able to travel if necessary AutoCAD, Photoshop, InDesign, etc.
   
   Job Type
   Regular
   
   Start Date
   2022-06-13
   
   Schedule
   Full time
   
   Organization
   Balenciaga America Inc.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right architectural project manager 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 project manager job on Zippia to find and recruit architectural project manager candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit architectural project managers, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to 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 project manager

   Once you've selected the best architectural project manager candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is 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 project manager?