Architecture and interior design salaries
in Melbourne - 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
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How much do architecture and design professionals earn in Melbourne?
Architecture and design salaries in Melbourne range from $52,000 for a graduate interior designer to $220,000 for a director or principal in 2026. The average architect earns around $100,000, the average interior designer around $80,000, and senior design leaders across all disciplines earn $130,000 to $220,000. 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.
Melbourne 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 Melbourne
| Role | Low | Average | High | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grad of Architecture (0-3 yrs) | $68,191 | $72,000 | $75,000 | |
| Grad of Architecture (3-6 yrs) | $78,838 | $82,000 | $88,000 | |
| Grad of Architecture (6-10 yrs) | $88,000 | $95,000 | $100,000 | |
| Registered Architect (3-6 yrs) | $78,838 | $85,000 | $90,000 | |
| Registered Architect (6-10 yrs) | $90,000 | $100,000 | $110,000 | |
| Senior Architect | $100,000 | $110,000 | $120,000 | |
| Associate | $120,000 | $130,000 | $140,000 | |
| Senior Associate | $130,000 | $140,000 | $150,000 | |
| Associate Director / Associate Principal | $140,000 | $150,000 | $160,000 | |
| Director / Principal | $160,000 | $180,000 | $220,000 | |
| Technician (0-3 yrs) | $60,000 | $65,000 | $70,000 | |
| Technician (3-6 yrs) | $70,000 | $75,000 | $85,000 | |
| Senior Technician (6-10+ yrs) | $85,000 | $95,000 | $105,000 | |
| BIM Modeller / Coordinator | $80,000 | $95,000 | $105,000 | |
| BIM Manager | $110,000 | $130,000 | $150,000 | |
| Visualiser | $75,000 | $90,000 | $110,000 | |
| Design Manager | $110,000 | $130,000 | $150,000 | |
| Design Coordinator | $90,000 | $110,000 | $120,000 |
Interior design salaries in Melbourne
| Role | Low | Average | High | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate Interior Designer | $52,000 | $55,000 | $60,000 | |
| Interior Designer (0-3 yrs) | $60,000 | $65,000 | $70,000 | |
| Interior Designer (3-6 yrs) | $70,000 | $75,000 | $80,000 | |
| Interior Designer (6-10 yrs) | $80,000 | $90,000 | $110,000 | |
| Interior Design Associate | $110,000 | $120,000 | $140,000 | |
| Senior Associate (Interior) | $130,000 | $145,000 | $160,000 | |
| Stylist / Decorator | $60,000 | $75,000 | $90,000 | |
| Retail Design Manager | $100,000 | $130,000 | $160,000 | |
| Workspace Strategist | $120,000 | $160,000 | $200,000 |
Urban design and landscape salaries in Melbourne
| Role | Low | Average | High | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Urban Designer (0-3 yrs) | $62,898 | $65,000 | $70,000 | |
| Urban Designer (3-6 yrs) | $70,000 | $85,000 | $95,000 | |
| Urban Designer (6-10 yrs) | $90,000 | $100,000 | $110,000 | |
| Associate / Senior Urban Designer | $110,000 | $120,000 | $140,000 | |
| Urban Design Director | $150,000 | $180,000 | $220,000 | |
| Landscape Architect (0-3 yrs) | $62,898 | $65,000 | $70,000 | |
| Landscape Architect (3-6 yrs) | $70,000 | $75,000 | $85,000 | |
| Landscape Architect (6-10 yrs) | $85,000 | $95,000 | $110,000 | |
| Associate / Senior Landscape Architect | $100,000 | $110,000 | $120,000 | |
| Landscape Architect Director | $130,000 | $150,000 | $200,000 |
Building and construction salaries in Melbourne
| Role | Low | Average | High | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Contract Administrator | $80,000 | $110,000 | $130,000 | |
| Estimator | $90,000 | $110,000 | $120,000 | |
| Project Planner | $90,000 | $130,000 | $160,000 | |
| Assistant Project Manager | $80,000 | $90,000 | $105,000 | |
| Project Manager | $120,000 | $150,000 | $190,000 | |
| Construction Manager | $140,000 | $160,000 | $200,000 |
Business support salaries in Melbourne
| Role | Low | Average | High | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Receptionist | $55,000 | $65,000 | $70,000 | |
| Office Administrator | $55,000 | $65,000 | $75,000 | |
| Project Administrator | $80,000 | $85,000 | $100,000 | |
| Document Controller | $90,000 | $100,000 | $120,000 | |
| Studio Coordinator | $70,000 | $80,000 | $90,000 | |
| Office Manager | $85,000 | $95,000 | $110,000 | |
| Practice Manager | $100,000 | $120,000 | $140,000 | |
| Marketing Coordinator | $80,000 | $85,000 | $90,000 | |
| Marketing Manager | $100,000 | $120,000 | $150,000 | |
| Operations Manager | $80,000 | $110,000 | $130,000 | |
| Project Coordinator | $70,000 | $80,000 | $90,000 |
Architecture and interior products salaries in Melbourne
| Role | Low | Average | High | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sales Support / Administrator | $65,000 | $70,000 | $75,000 | |
| Showroom Consultant | $70,000 | $75,000 | $85,000 | |
| Showroom Manager | $80,000 | $90,000 | $100,000 | |
| Account Manager* | $85,000 | $95,000 | $105,000 | |
| Sales Representative* | $85,000 | $95,000 | $110,000 | |
| Business Development Manager* | $90,000 | $110,000 | $130,000 | |
| State Sales Manager* | $120,000 | $135,000 | $150,000 | |
| 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 | $90,000 | $120,000 | $150,000 | |
| Operations Manager | $80,000 | $110,000 | $130,000 | |
| Project Coordinator | $70,000 | $80,000 | $90,000 |
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 Melbourne 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 Melbourne salaries in 2026
Graduates
Melbourne’s market is recovering, led by social housing, build-to-rent and adaptive reuse. Early-career designers who are fluent in Revit are well positioned, though salary expectations need to reflect project budgets that are still under pressure.
Mid-career
Project Architects, Architectural Documenters and BIM Coordinators with strong Revit skills are the most in-demand profiles in the city. Interior designers with healthcare, hospitality or workplace experience are particularly sought after.
Senior
Experienced mid-to-senior designers are scarce in Melbourne and salary expectations are rising steadily. Strong candidates with Revit fluency and sector depth are in a genuinely competitive position when they negotiate.
Leadership
Director-level architects are benefiting from Melbourne’s recovery in social housing, build-to-rent and high-end multi-residential. The market has returned to solid growth after a cautious post-pandemic period.
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 Melbourne?
Director and principal roles pay the most in Melbourne, earning $160,000 to $220,000. Urban design directors reach $220,000, general managers in the products sector earn $150,000 to $220,000, and specialist roles like workspace strategists reach $200,000.
How much do architects earn in Melbourne?
Architects in Melbourne earn an average base salary of around $100,000 in 2026. Graduates start at $68,191 to $75,000, senior architects earn $100,000 to $120,000, and directors earn $160,000 to $220,000. See the full Melbourne architecture salary guide for all 18 roles.
How much do interior designers earn in Melbourne?
Interior designers in Melbourne earn an average base salary of around $80,000 in 2026. Graduates start at $52,000 to $60,000, senior designers earn $80,000 to $110,000, and associates and design leaders earn $110,000 to $160,000. See the full Melbourne interior design salary guide for every role.
How do Melbourne salaries compare to Sydney and Brisbane?
Melbourne salaries remain competitive but generally sit slightly below Sydney, reflecting Sydney’s higher cost of living and market demand. Brisbane has recently overtaken Melbourne in some senior brackets, driven by a strong project pipeline. Melbourne still offers a strong design culture and a more affordable lifestyle than Sydney.
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
The latest architecture and design jobs in Melbourne
Benefits at Melbourne architecture and design practices
Salary is only part of the package. Alongside the salary tables, we benchmark the benefits Melbourne 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 | 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 Melbourne market offers, not a guarantee of any single employer’s package.
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