Why the heck do sites say that architects make like 30 grand a YEAR?

Question

What the heck? Architects are highly paid aren't they. I want to become one, so I did some research and I am SHOCKED! Sites are saying that the top 75TH percentile of architects in METROPOLITAN AREAS IN CALIFORNIA!!!!!! are making oh...about 40 grand. Yeah...WHAT THE h**l. Are they really so lowly paid? That is unbelievable. Tons of architects are loaded...

Answer 1

Something isn't right here.  My cousin and his wife are both architects and they make over $100K EACH per year.  Now, they both graduated from Laurence Tech, which is one of the most prestigious schools in the midwest (and is well known for its architectural engineering program), but even so, $30K a year sounds awfully low...

Answer 2

This link from the Department of Labor is probably accurate. The earnings survey is close to the bottom of the page.

http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos038.htm

Answer 3

the 75th percentile means that if you add up and rank the salaries of all architects (as reported by some authority), that 25% of architects make more than that.

I suspect that this is probably accurate since it is an aggregate, and there are significant differences in what one can earn in different parts of the country, PLUS the data may be aggregating the junior and entry level architects who work at small firms. Not all 'metropolitan areas' have similar economic situations, and salaries may be subject to supply and demand.

Yes, it is generally considered to be a high paying field, however, only the elite (and the lucky) get to make top dollar.