Architecture and Interior Design Salaries in Sydney - 2026
Based on data from 3,000+ active job vacancies, 1,890 survey respondents and insights from 65 recruitment experts.
Architecture and Design
Salary Calculator 2026
Is your salary keeping pace with the market?
Enter your role, location, and salary to benchmark yourself against the 2026 Architecture & Design market.
How much do architecture and design professionals earn in Sydney?
Architecture and design salaries in Sydney range from $55,000 for a junior interior designer to $250,000+ for a COO or CFO in 2026. The average architect earns around $110,000, the average interior designer around $85,000, and senior design leaders across all disciplines earn $130,000 to $250,000+. All figures are base salaries excluding superannuation.
Updated 1 July 2026. Based on 1,890 survey responses, 1,200+ placements and 3,000+ live vacancies.
Sydney salary tables 2026
Base annual salaries in AUD, excluding superannuation and bonuses. Roles marked * typically earn commission or bonus on top. Benchmark your own salary with our calculator, or go deeper with our dedicated architecture and interior design guides.
Showing annual base salaries, excluding superannuation.
Architecture salaries in Sydney
| Role | Low | Average | High | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grad of Architecture (0-3 yrs) | $68,191 | $75,000 | $80,000 | |
| Grad of Architecture (3-6 yrs) | $78,838 | $85,000 | $95,000 | |
| Grad of Architecture (6-10 yrs) | $90,000 | $100,000 | $120,000 | |
| Registered Architect (3-6 yrs) | $78,838 | $90,000 | $100,000 | |
| Registered Architect (6-10 yrs) | $95,000 | $110,000 | $130,000 | |
| Senior Architect / Associate | $115,000 | $130,000 | $145,000 | |
| Snr Associate / Project Director | $135,000 | $145,000 | $180,000 | |
| Director / Principal | $150,000 | $180,000 | $300,000 | |
| Technician (1-3 yrs) | $65,000 | $70,000 | $75,000 | |
| Technician (3-6 yrs) | $70,000 | $80,000 | $95,000 | |
| Senior Technician (6-10+ yrs) | $90,000 | $95,000 | $120,000 | |
| BIM Modeller / Coordinator | $85,000 | $95,000 | $120,000 | |
| BIM Manager | $120,000 | $140,000 | $180,000 | |
| BIM Leader | $160,000 | $180,000 | $200,000 | |
| Visualiser | $75,000 | $90,000 | $120,000 | |
| Senior Visualiser | $100,000 | $120,000 | $150,000 | |
| Design Coordinator | $90,000 | $110,000 | $120,000 | |
| Design Manager | $120,000 | $150,000 | $200,000 |
Interior design salaries in Sydney
| Role | Low | Average | High | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Junior Interior Designer (1-3 yrs) | $55,000 | $60,000 | $70,000 | |
| Mid-weight Interior Designer (4-7 yrs) | $65,000 | $70,000 | $85,000 | |
| Senior Interior Designer / Project Lead (8-10 yrs) | $85,000 | $95,000 | $120,000 | |
| Associate / Senior Associate | $125,000 | $135,000 | $150,000 | |
| Design Director | $130,000 | $150,000 | $180,000 | |
| Design Manager | $90,000 | $100,000 | $120,000 | |
| Senior Design Manager | $120,000 | $140,000 | $150,000 | |
| FF&E / Stylist | $65,000 | $75,000 | $90,000 |
Landscape architecture salaries in Sydney
| Role | Low | Average | High | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Landscape Architect (1-3 yrs) | $65,099 | $70,000 | $75,000 | |
| Landscape Architect (3-6 yrs) | $70,000 | $85,000 | $100,000 | |
| Landscape Architect (6-10 yrs) | $85,000 | $95,000 | $115,000 | |
| Assoc / Senior Landscape Architect | $95,000 | $115,000 | $130,000 | |
| Associate Director | $130,000 | $145,000 | $160,000 | |
| Landscape Architect Director | $150,000 | $180,000 | $250,000 |
Urban design salaries in Sydney
| Role | Low | Average | High | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Urban Designer (1-3 yrs) | $65,099 | $70,000 | $75,000 | |
| Urban Designer (3-6 yrs) | $75,000 | $85,000 | $100,000 | |
| Urban Designer (6-10 yrs) | $100,000 | $115,000 | $130,000 | |
| Associate / Senior Urban Designer | $120,000 | $140,000 | $160,000 | |
| Urban Design Director | $150,000 | $180,000 | $200,000 |
Building & Construction salaries in Sydney
| Role | Low | Average | High | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Contract Administrator | $80,000 | $100,000 | $120,000 | |
| Estimator | $90,000 | $110,000 | $130,000 | |
| Jnr / Assist Project Manager | $75,000 | $95,000 | $105,000 | |
| Project Manager | $120,000 | $150,000 | $190,000 | |
| Construction Manager | $140,000 | $160,000 | $200,000 |
Graphic, Wayfinding & Industrial Design salaries in Sydney
| Role | Low | Average | High | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graphic Designer | $60,000 | $70,000 | $90,000 | |
| Senior Graphic Designer | $80,000 | $90,000 | $110,000 | |
| Creative Director | $100,000 | $110,000 | $120,000 | |
| Wayfinding Designer | $70,000 | $80,000 | $90,000 | |
| Senior Wayfinding Designer | $90,000 | $110,000 | $120,000 | |
| Design Manager | $100,000 | $120,000 | $140,000 | |
| Industrial Designer | $70,000 | $80,000 | $90,000 | |
| Senior Industrial Designer | $100,000 | $110,000 | $120,000 |
Business support salaries in Sydney
| Role | Low | Average | High | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Receptionist | $55,000 | $65,000 | $75,000 | |
| Office Administrator | $60,000 | $70,000 | $75,000 | |
| Project Administrator | $65,000 | $70,000 | $85,000 | |
| Document Controller | $80,000 | $90,000 | $110,000 | |
| Studio Coordinator | $70,000 | $75,000 | $85,000 | |
| Office Manager | $90,000 | $95,000 | $110,000 | |
| Executive Assistant | $95,000 | $100,000 | $110,000 | |
| Personal Assistant | $75,000 | $80,000 | $90,000 | |
| Marketing Assistant | $60,000 | $65,000 | $70,000 | |
| Marketing Coordinator | $80,000 | $85,000 | $90,000 | |
| Marketing Manager | $110,000 | $115,000 | $120,000 | |
| Bid Coordinator | $85,000 | $90,000 | $110,000 | |
| Bid Manager | $110,000 | $125,000 | $130,000 | |
| Business Development Manager | $110,000 | $120,000 | $140,000 | |
| People & Culture Advisor | $80,000 | $90,000 | $100,000 | |
| HR Coordinator | $70,000 | $75,000 | $85,000 | |
| HR Manager | $90,000 | $110,000 | $130,000 | |
| Bookkeeper | $80,000 | $85,000 | $90,000 | |
| Contract Administrator | $90,000 | $110,000 | $130,000 | |
| Contract Manager | $100,000 | $120,000 | $150,000 | |
| Practice Manager | $90,000 | $110,000 | $130,000 | |
| Legal Advisor | $120,000 | $140,000 | $160,000 | |
| Finance Manager | $80,000 | $100,000 | $130,000 | |
| IT Manager | $90,000 | $110,000 | $120,000 | |
| Project Coordinator | $80,000 | $90,000 | $100,000 | |
| Project Manager | $100,000 | $110,000 | $120,000 | |
| General Manager | $125,000 | $160,000 | $200,000 | |
| Commercial Manager | $115,000 | $150,000 | $200,000 | |
| CFO | $150,000 | $190,000 | $230,000 | |
| COO | $160,000 | $220,000 | $250,000 |
Architectural & Interior Products salaries in Sydney
| Role | Low | Average | High | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sales Support / Administrator | $65,000 | $75,000 | $80,000 | |
| Senior Sales Support | $80,000 | $90,000 | $100,000 | |
| Showroom Consultant* | $70,000 | $75,000 | $80,000 | |
| Showroom Manager* | $80,000 | $95,000 | $110,000 | |
| Sales Representative* | $90,000 | $100,000 | $110,000 | |
| Business Development Manager* | $110,000 | $120,000 | $130,000 | |
| State Sales Manager* | $120,000 | $140,000 | $160,000 | |
| National Sales Manager* | $130,000 | $160,000 | $180,000 | |
| General Manager | $150,000 | $180,000 | $220,000 | |
| Marketing Coordinator | $70,000 | $80,000 | $90,000 | |
| Marketing Manager | $110,000 | $130,000 | $150,000 | |
| Operations Manager | $90,000 | $110,000 | $130,000 | |
| Project Coordinator | $75,000 | $85,000 | $95,000 | |
| Project Manager | $90,000 | $120,000 | $140,000 | |
| Estimator | $80,000 | $100,000 | $120,000 | |
| Logistics Manager | $80,000 | $100,000 | $130,000 | |
| Warehouse Manager | $75,000 | $90,000 | $110,000 | |
| Product Designer | $80,000 | $95,000 | $120,000 |
Job titles marked * typically earn commission or bonus on top of the base salary shown. Source: Bespoke Careers 2026 Salary Guide, updated 1 July 2026.
How Sydney compares
Average base salary for the same level across Australia. Choose a discipline and level. Titles vary slightly between cities, so the closest equivalent is shown.
Base annual salaries from the Bespoke Careers 2026 Salary Guide.
What’s shaping Sydney salaries in 2026
Graduates
Sydney’s entry-level pipeline is driven by multi-residential, data centres and rail infrastructure. Salary expectations have risen sharply in response to cost-of-living, so make sure your benchmarks reflect current 2026 rates rather than last year’s offers.
Mid-career
Mid-to-senior talent shortages are the defining challenge in Sydney right now. Multi-residential, education, health and workplace projects drive sustained demand, and practices are competing hard to retain experienced architects and designers.
Senior
Senior architects and associates with strong design and delivery skills are in high demand across Sydney. Cost-of-living pressure has lifted salary benchmarks significantly - work-life balance and hybrid arrangements are now non-negotiable for retention.
Leadership
Principal and director-level roles are opening as practices strengthen strategic leadership after a period of flat growth. Sydney is leading national salary growth and sector momentum heading into 2027.
Get the full 2026 Salary Guide
105 roles across 20 global cities, hiring trends for every market, and practical advice for your next pay conversation. Built from 1,890 survey responses, 1,200+ placements and insight from 65 recruitment experts. Free to download.
Frequently asked questions
What are the highest-paying architecture and design jobs in Sydney?
Director and principal roles pay the most in Sydney, earning $150,000 to $300,000+. BIM Leaders reach $160,000 to $200,000, Design Directors in interior design earn $130,000 to $180,000, and General Managers in the products sector earn $150,000 to $220,000. Landscape Architect Directors also reach $250,000 at the top of the range.
How much do architects earn in Sydney?
Architects in Sydney earn an average base salary of around $110,000 in 2026. Graduates start at $65,099 to $76,000, registered architects earn $90,000 to $130,000 depending on experience, senior architects and associates earn $115,000 to $145,000, and directors and principals earn $150,000 to $300,000+. See the full Sydney architecture salary guide for all roles.
How much do interior designers earn in Sydney?
Interior designers in Sydney earn an average base salary of around $85,000 in 2026. Junior designers start at $55,000 to $70,000, mid-weight designers earn $65,000 to $85,000, senior designers and project leads earn $85,000 to $120,000, and associates and design directors earn $125,000 to $180,000. See the full Sydney interior design salary guide for every role.
How do Sydney salaries compare to Melbourne and Brisbane?
Sydney salaries are generally the highest in Australia, reflecting the city’s higher cost of living and sustained demand for architecture and design talent. Brisbane has recently overtaken Melbourne in some senior brackets, driven by a strong project pipeline and Olympic delivery. Melbourne remains competitive but typically sits 5-10% below Sydney at equivalent levels.
How is the salary data collected?
Our salary data draws on input from over 1,890 survey respondents, 1,200 recent placements, 3,000 job listings and insight from 65 recruitment experts across our global offices.
Explore more
Architecture and design jobs in Sydney
Benefits at Sydney architecture and design practices
Salary is only part of the package. Alongside the salary tables, we benchmark the benefits Sydney architecture and design practices offer at three levels, based on our 2026 survey of 1,890 professionals. Use it to weigh up a full offer, or to see where your practice’s package stands against the market.
Health and wellbeing benefits
| Benefit | Standard | Enhanced | Outstanding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Optional flu vaccine | - | ||
| Wellness activities | - | ||
| Employee assistance program (EAP) | - |
Career development benefits
| Benefit | Standard | Enhanced | Outstanding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mentoring programme | |||
| Performance reviews | |||
| Career progression opportunities | |||
| In-house training, workshops and talks | |||
| Professional exams reimbursement | - | + paid time off |
Work-life balance benefits
| Benefit | Standard | Enhanced | Outstanding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enhanced parental leave* | 12 months unpaid | 8 wks primary / 2 wks secondary paid | 16 wks primary / 4 wks secondary paid, plus super |
| Annual leave | 20 days | 25 days | 25+ days |
| Hybrid working | 1 day p/w | 2 days p/w | 3 days p/w |
| Flexible working hours | |||
| Day off on your birthday | - | ||
| Sabbatical plans | - |
*In addition to the Australian Government Paid Parental Leave scheme.
Workplace perks
| Benefit | Standard | Enhanced | Outstanding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Social work environment | |||
| Food supplied in-house | |||
| Professional and social events | - | ||
| Travel opportunities | - | ||
| Phone or laptop provided | - | ||
| Charity fundraisers and volunteer days | - | ||
| Pet-friendly office | - | ||
| Parking | - | - | |
| Free or discounted products | - | - | |
| End of trip facilities (e.g. fresh towels) | - | - |
Financial benefits
| Benefit | Standard | Enhanced | Outstanding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Superannuation contribution | Statutory (12%) | Statutory + 1-2% | Statutory + 3% |
| Long service rewards | |||
| Referral bonus | - | ||
| Annual bonus | - | - | |
| Travelcard or bike loans | - | - | |
| Company car or car allowance | - | - | |
| Employee-owned business | - | - |
Source: Bespoke Careers 2026 Salary Guide survey. Individual practices vary; use the tiers as a guide to what the Sydney market offers, not a guarantee of any single employer’s package.
Salary Guide
Explore salaries in other markets
Compare salaries across 20 global locations.
Australia You are here
New Zealand You are here
United Kingdom You are here
United States You are here
Hiring in Sydney
? Or looking for a job?
We connect exceptional firms with talented professionals across Sydney and beyond.
Whether you're looking to hire or explore new career opportunities, let’s discuss how we can help you achieve your goals—get in touch today.
Benchmark your salary in 30 seconds
See how your pay compares against the 2026 market for your exact role, and get your results by email.