Discreetly send out some resumes, do some interviews and see what happens.  There's no harm in looking around.  Every big salary bump I ever got was obtained by switching jobs.  61k seems a little low, unless there is a sizable additional bonus at the end of the year.

If you need money then the obvious choice is to jump ship.

We're at about the same experience level.  I work in a town about 1/16 the size of Detroit, but drive an hour to get there (from a smaller town).  

You're in my ballpark paywise, in a much larger area.  Cost of living is assumed to be a bit more.  I'd probably look to get a bit more money, either out of your current employer, or elsewhere. 

Seems low for that much experience and insurance not included as a benefit. I'd casually look if I were you. 

Plus that kind of work has to be somewhat dry. I know I couldn't do those project types.

If you need more money and they are not willing to pay you what you need/should earn, just look for another job. Don't know how well connected your current firm is, but I was once discretely looking for another job and a potential future employer decided out of the blue to call my boss for a reference before I even told him I was leaving...which was quite awkward after that, until I got another job.

Looking at the AIA salary calculator you probably do deserve a little extra. I don't think the AIA report is the golden ticket, but some firms try to keep employees fairly close to the averages so they can remain competitive in terms of salary. Additionally, you should be getting more money in your salary, or better benefits. You mentioned getting healthcare through your wife ... do you get anything extra because your employer isn't paying for that?

In terms of the report, you're right on the cusp of Architect 2 (even if your years of experience don't exactly line up, based on what you're telling us you'd meet the other criteria). Average salary numbers for your region are about what you wish to be making. I'd encourage you to get your hands on the actual compensation report. It probably has a breakdown for Michigan as well as the Detroit Metro Area. It should also go into more detail on size of firm, etc. I was able to take a look at the report at my local AIA office. Also keep in mind the report is old. Numbers should be higher given the job market right now.

Then you can either use that information to leverage more pay at your current office, or find another office ... up to you. If it helps, think of your compensation in terms of what your employer will have pay out to replace you. If you are seriously contemplating leaving ... this is exactly what your employer should be thinking about. The trick is getting them to think that way without needing to make a threat to leave ... if you want to stay. If you want a different experience at a different firm, then don't even bother with your current employer ... just go.

the cusp of Arch II is how I think of myself as well.  I believe that I got an extra $1500 or so by being on my wife's ins, I assume the the average AIA salary all include ins.  Forgot that I also got a 1500 bonus a couple weeks ago.

A previous firm offered me 65000 and a small bonus when i told them i was leaving a couple years ago.  That firm also gave fairly regular 3000 bonuses.  The firm I left them for laid me off after 8 months, so I ended up here, basically took the first reasonable offer I got.  Now that I think about it, if I'd taken the 65k, 2 years of decent raises would put me at 70ish, plus that firm converted to an ESOP as I was leaving.  crap!

I'm "ok" with the work here, only in the sense that I like running the jobs.  I dislike that the projects are scheduled so fast that I don't think we are really doing quality work.  I look at other people's desks or pull up old jobs and am astonished by the way wall sections are detailed. The contractors must fix a lot of our mistakes without telling us.  

Long story short, I think its time to start looking

It is a good time to see if the grass is greener and it probably is, so go for it. It's too bad employers in architecture don't reward loyalty but it is true that getting a new job almost always comes with a higher salary and a better job description. Plus, you sound a little unchallenged and probably could use a change of scenery and some experience seeing how things work elsewhere.

Running jobs and handling clients makes you a much more well-rounded architect.  Doesn't matter whether the jobs are glamorous or not.  You are much better off in the big picture than the person who is stuck behind a computer at some super-prestigious glamor firm. 

in my opinion I would wait it out for a wile. like someone said maybe at a good time mention or hint around that you would like a raise, but do it in good taste.

but personally I would wait it out im not a big fan of chasing $$$$ around, maybe after a 18 months or so i would consider leaving after asking for a raise a couple times and not getting it.

Go out on your own and join my co-op.

I would definitely start casually looking. We have historically low unemployment rate that likely will not last much longer. I'm doing the same thing now just to see what's out there. You have the benefit of being selective since you are currently employed. 

https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/detroit-architect-salary-SRCH_IL.0,7_IM236_KO8,17.htm

There you go.

But! Let me also give my experience. I have jumped jobs ALOT. And while I now have a good salary, I don't feel I have very good experience because every time I started to get more control and more independence I jumped ship chasing some $$$. I'm currently at a good firm but doing tasks way below my previous job and will probably be waiting a year just to feel like I'm learning again. I'd say send some resumes out and with that leeway be like hey I've worked here over a year what do I do to get to the next level of pay, what value do you need to see for me to earn that? Makes you not seem like a whiny gimme gimme person and also holds them accountable while you have an escape plan in case they are short sighted and get mad. 

Archi-dude - you raise a good point. I suspect that every time you switch jobs there is a learning curve before you're really trusted to take on a project with minimal supervision.  

I hope i don't sound like a whiny person, just don't want to feel taken advantage of, making 15% less than I could be.

I think you'd be an asset to a large firm. You understand the business side of practice, you know what it's like to work with clients and GCs. You know how to lead a team. You would benefit from the collective knowledge of specialists and production staff at a large firm and would likely be a quick learner. If you can figure out how to navigate inter-office politics you'd probably do well.

Whoops. Wrong thread

Can we place bets on these kind of threads? I got $5 on "go".

^ $10 go ends up being bad idea.

  On another note archi_dude, I plan to take your advice and walk into the owners office today and ask  "what value do you need to see from me here at "Blankety blank blank & blank" going forward?"  hopefully the response is yada yada yada and maybe june a $8,000 bump :D

is there a time limit?  I'll prob go in the next 6 months, will be pretty picky though.  Possibly return to the firm from a couple years ago.

Salary survey is interesting.  Mostly software architects, the "real" architects seem to make less than I do as is.  One of my former firms in high on the list too.  I suppose that means the survey skew young.

had a review today, said everything is great, you're doing a great job, keep up the good work.  Said that they'll review my salary in about 6 months.

wtf

didn't everyone say go?  good luck.  update the linkedin.

any update? what was the result? did the op switch job? was the grass greener on the other side?

update: yes I did switch, and am much happier for it.  I followed a co-worker and went from 61k to 71k, now at 80k a year later.  Plus the work is far more challenging.  Went from strip malls and buildouts to municipal, helping out on some commercial and industrial too.  Before the only challenge was the schedule and budget.  

The same guy ended up leaving a couple months ago (was accused of sexual harassment) He's now trying to get me into a new place for around 100k.  

We'll see how that goes ...……... 

Congratulations and thanks for giving your story an ending(for now).