Architecture & Design Recruitment in California | Bespoke Careers
an Architecture job in California
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196 US practices
trust us with their hiring, every year.
Connecting jobseekers with California’s top architecture and design studios
One California team, working the length of the state. We recruit for architecture and design practices in Los Angeles and the Bay Area.
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Where we work in California.
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Browsing all open roles in California
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We get new California jobs every day, and not all of them make it onto the website. Many of the studios we work with also take our recommendations even when they're not actively hiring.
1 in 2 candidates we recommend to firms get an interview.
Meet Gary.
Gary Sheldrake is Managing Director of Bespoke Careers in California and New York. With more than 20 years of experience recruiting in the architecture and interior design sector, he has built and led high performing teams at Hays and, most recently, Randstad.
“When I wanted to consider a move there was simply no other firm that could match what Bespoke could offer.”
- Gary Sheldrake Managing Director gary.s@bespokecareers.com
Your California team.
Gary Sheldrake
Managing Director
Brian Baxter
Associate · Architecture
Shelby Boland
Consultant · Business Support
Emmy Troiano
Interiors Consultant
Grace Welsh
Office Manager/Team Coordinator
Not sure who to ask for? Call the office on +1 (212) 321 0909 and you will get the consultant who covers your discipline.
“Bespoke are the epitome of ‘ethical recruiters.’ They’re respectful of our time, they establish strong relationships with us and candidates alike. When Bespoke sends us a candidate profile, we sit up and listen.
Tell us who you're looking for.
Submit a brief →Built on 1,407 US careers.
The numbers don't lie, but they don't tell the full story either. Behind every one of those US placements is a relationship, a consultant who genuinely cared, and a phone call they couldn't wait to make.
What California pays in 2026.
Base salaries for architecture and design roles in California, from our 2026 Salary Guide. Built from 1,890 survey responses, 1,200 placements and 65 recruiters across our offices.
The highest median salary in the United States, ahead of New York at principal level.
California practices report the strongest demand for experienced designers in the country.
California pay rose again this year, holding the top of the US market.
Source: Bespoke Careers 2026 Salary Guide and Market Report.
| Role | Low | Average | High | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Architect (0-3 yrs) | $65,000 | $70,000 | $75,000 | |
| Architect (3-6 yrs) | $75,000 | $85,000 | $95,000 | |
| Architect (6-9 yrs) | $85,000 | $100,000 | $115,000 | |
| Senior Architect (10+ yrs) | $110,000 | $125,000 | $145,000 | |
| Project Manager (5-10 yrs) | $100,000 | $115,000 | $130,000 | |
| Project Manager (10+ yrs) | $120,000 | $140,000 | $160,000 |
| Role | Low | Average | High | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interior Architect (0-3 yrs) | $60,000 | $65,000 | $75,000 | |
| Interior Architect (4-7 yrs) | $75,000 | $85,000 | $95,000 | |
| Interior Architect (8+ yrs) | $90,000 | $110,000 | $130,000 | |
| Interior Designer (0-3 yrs) | $65,000 | $75,000 | $85,000 | |
| Interior Designer (4-7 yrs) | $70,000 | $85,000 | $95,000 | |
| Interior Designer (8-11 yrs) | $95,000 | $105,000 | $125,000 |
See all 11 interior design roles in the full Los Angeles guide
| Role | Low | Average | High | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jnr Landscape Designer (0-5 yrs) | $60,000 | $67,000 | $78,000 | |
| Landscape Designer (6-9 yrs) | $80,000 | $92,000 | $110,000 | |
| Snr Landscape Architect (10+ yrs) | $100,000 | $120,000 | $140,000 |
See all 3 landscape architecture roles in the full Los Angeles guide
| Role | Low | Average | High | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admin Assistant | $50,000 | $65,000 | $70,000 | |
| Executive Assistant | $65,000 | $85,000 | $100,000 | |
| Studio / Office Manager | $75,000 | $90,000 | $120,000 | |
| HR Coordinator | $58,000 | $66,000 | $75,000 | |
| HR Manager | $80,000 | $95,000 | $120,000 | |
| HR Director | $115,000 | $130,000 | $180,000 |
See all 17 business support roles in the full Los Angeles guide
| Role | Low | Average | High | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sales Coordinator / Assistant | $50,000 | $65,000 | $85,000 | |
| Design Sales Consultant* | $65,000 | $75,000 | $90,000 | |
| Showroom / Sales Manager* | $80,000 | $95,000 | $115,000 | |
| Logistics Manager | $75,000 | $90,000 | $105,000 | |
| Estimator | $70,000 | $85,000 | $100,000 | |
| Project Manager | $95,000 | $110,000 | $150,000 |
See all 9 architectural & interior products roles in the full Los Angeles guide
| Role | Low | Average | High | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Architect (0-3 yrs) | $68,000 | $70,000 | $75,000 | |
| Architect (3-6 yrs) | $77,000 | $90,000 | $95,000 | |
| Architect (6-9 yrs) | $92,000 | $105,000 | $118,000 | |
| Senior Architect (10+ yrs) | $120,000 | $135,000 | $155,000 | |
| Project Manager (5-10 yrs) | $105,000 | $120,000 | $130,000 | |
| Project Manager (10+ yrs) | $130,000 | $145,000 | $170,000 |
See all 12 architecture roles in the full San Francisco guide
| Role | Low | Average | High | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interior Architect (0-3 yrs) | $62,000 | $66,000 | $74,000 | |
| Interior Architect (4-7 yrs) | $74,000 | $87,000 | $97,000 | |
| Interior Architect (8+ yrs) | $92,000 | $102,000 | $130,000 | |
| Interior Designer (0-3 yrs) | $60,000 | $66,000 | $75,000 | |
| Interior Designer (4-7 yrs) | $72,000 | $85,000 | $100,000 | |
| Interior Designer (8-11 yrs) | $95,000 | $107,000 | $130,000 |
See all 11 interior design roles in the full San Francisco guide
| Role | Low | Average | High | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jnr Landscape Designer (0-5 yrs) | $65,000 | $70,000 | $80,000 | |
| Landscape Designer (6-9 yrs) | $82,000 | $94,000 | $105,000 | |
| Snr Landscape Architect (10+ yrs) | $100,000 | $122,500 | $140,000 |
See all 3 landscape architecture roles in the full San Francisco guide
| Role | Low | Average | High | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admin Assistant | $55,000 | $66,000 | $72,000 | |
| Executive Assistant | $70,000 | $88,000 | $105,000 | |
| Studio / Office Manager | $80,000 | $95,000 | $110,000 | |
| HR Coordinator | $60,000 | $68,000 | $77,000 | |
| HR Manager | $82,000 | $97,000 | $125,000 | |
| HR Director | $118,000 | $133,000 | $185,000 |
See all 17 business support roles in the full San Francisco guide
| Role | Low | Average | High | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sales Coordinator / Assistant | $50,000 | $65,000 | $85,000 | |
| Design Sales Consultant* | $65,000 | $75,000 | $90,000 | |
| Showroom / Sales Manager* | $80,000 | $95,000 | $115,000 | |
| Logistics Manager | $75,000 | $90,000 | $105,000 | |
| Estimator | $70,000 | $85,000 | $100,000 | |
| Project Manager | $95,000 | $110,000 | $150,000 |
See all 9 architectural & interior products roles in the full San Francisco guide
Annual base salaries. Updated 1 July 2026.
Life at Bespoke California.
Client parties, podcast recordings, university talks and the conference floor. Twelve years of Bespoke in the US.
Client parties
East Austin
Recording the podcast
In the Austin studio
Backing the next generation
On campus
AIA Conference on Architecture
The conference floor
FAQs
The questions we get asked most, by the people hiring and the people looking.
Contact the California team
Bespoke Careers California+1 (213) 436 0909
california@bespokecareers.com
Which roles do you recruit for in California?
Architecture, interior design, landscape and urban design, architectural and interior products, strategic appointments and business support, at every level from graduates to practice directors, across permanent, contract and temp-to-perm.
How much do architects and designers earn in California?
It varies by discipline, level and practice size. Our 2026 California Salary Guide publishes real ranges for every role, alongside a benefits benchmark that studios use to shape packages.
How do your fees work?
There are three ways to hire. Permanent recruitment is success-only. You only pay when we find you your dream hire, and our terms are sent as soon as you brief us. Contract runs on hourly rates agreed upfront, with payroll and compliance through us. Strategic search is retained and paid in three instalments, across engagement, shortlist and appointment.
Do you place contract as well as permanent staff?
Yes. We have filled 1,664 contract roles for studios hiring against a deadline, alongside permanent and temp-to-perm placements. Contractors are referenced and skills-assessed before we put them forward, and a Monday call with a Thursday start is normal.
How do I register as a candidate?
Send your CV and portfolio, apply through any California job listing, drop them into the form further up this page, or email california@bespokecareers.com. Everything you share stays confidential, and your current employer never hears from us.
How do I brief you on a vacancy?
Use the brief form on this page, Submit a Vacancy, or call the California office on +1 (213) 436 0909 and you will speak to the consultant who covers your discipline.
Let's talk.
Hiring, job hunting, or just want to know what the market is doing. Tell us what you need and the right person will come back to you.
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