What does an architect earn in 2025?

What is the average salary for an architect in 2025?

For those considering a career as an architect, salary is a central question. According to Statistics Norway (SSB), an architect in Norway in 2025 has an average base salary of about 63,000 kroner per month, which corresponds to approximately 755,000 kroner per year. This statistic includes both private and public sectors and provides a reliable indicator of what recent graduates and experienced architects can expect in today's job market. Source: SSB.

What factors influence an architect's salary?

The salary of an architect depends on several factors, including education level, specialization, responsibility, geography, and whether the employer is private or public. Senior architects and those with managerial responsibilities often earn significantly more than recent graduates or junior architects. For example, figures from SSB show that an experienced architect can achieve a monthly salary of over 70,000 kroner, especially in the largest cities.

Sector: Private versus public

The private sector often offers higher salary levels, especially in larger companies within architecture and design. At the same time, the public sector provides more predictable frameworks and better pension schemes, although salary levels are often somewhat lower. This is worth considering when comparing different job offers.

Regional differences

Architects based in Oslo, Bergen, and Trondheim typically have higher salaries than colleagues elsewhere in the country. Housing market conditions, business needs, and public construction projects create demand that influences salary levels.

Salary development and future prospects

Salary growth for architects has been stable over the last decade, with an annual increase of 3-4%. The job market for architects is diverse, but in 2025, there will be particularly exciting and well-paid jobs in sustainable building, energy optimization, and land use planning. Digitalization and the use of new technology, such as BIM, also provide new opportunities for career growth and higher salaries.

Examples of salaries based on experience

• Recent graduate/junior: 520,000–600,000 kr/year
• Some years of experience: 650,000–750,000 kr/year
• Senior or specialist: 800,000–950,000 kr/year
• Manager in a larger firm: Often over 1 million kr/year

These figures provide a good indication, but remember that individual negotiations and work conditions also play a role.

Benefits beyond salary

Many architect positions offer flexible hours, remote work, extra vacation weeks, significant pension plans, and support for further education. These benefits are crucial to consider in the overall assessment of job offers.

How to find available architect positions and salary calculator

Do you want to see what opportunities are available right now? At Lønna.no, you can easily compare available architect positions, see salary levels, and get an overview of requirements and job tasks in Norwegian companies. You can also use our salary calculator to check how education and experience affect your salary level. Additionally, you will receive guidance on how to write a good CV and job application, and you can keep track of all your applications.

Career paths in architecture

The architectural profession offers many opportunities. Some choose to specialize in urban planning, landscape architecture, or interior architecture, while others work on restoring historical buildings or implementing sustainable solutions in new construction projects. Regardless of where you wish to specialize, the demand for skilled architects will continue to grow in the coming years.

Useful sources and further reading

• Statistics Norway's updated salary statistics for architects
• Utdanning.no – information about the architectural profession

Understanding the salary level provides a good foundation for a safe and sensible job search. Also, remember to use Lønna.no tools for a simpler and more organized job search.