A UK-based organization dedicated to salary transparency in architecture has published its first snapshot of salary results following hundreds of grassroots submissions. As we reported in October, The Pay 100 is calling on architecture workers in the UK to submit their salaries to the group, who will ultimately publish a list of the top 100 salary averages of UK practices.

The first salaries published by the group are organized in three categories corresponding to typical positions in the UK architecture profession. The group anticipate an additional seven categories will be published when sufficient data is collected.

The three published categories center on positions typically occupied by those in the earlier part of their architectural career. The first category, “Part I Architectural Assistant <3 years” represents those in the UK system who are working in a practice having completed their undergraduate studies, but not their Masters degree. The average salaries of 57 UK firms are listed, with the highest-paying firms as of November 2nd 2022 being EPR Architects (£26,500 / $30,500), Foster + Partners (£26,000 / $30,000) and Fleet Architects (£25,500 / $29,300).

For “Part II Architectural Assistants <3 years”, a group who have completed their undergraduate and Masters degrees but have not completed their final path to licensure as a registered architect, the salary averages of 100 firms are listed. Topping the list are Arup (£36,000 / $41,400), Make Architects (£36,000 / $41,400), and Allford Hall Monaghan Morris (£35,500 / $40,800).

For “Architect / Architectural Designer <5 years”, 84 firms are represented with the highest averages being PLP Architecture (£48,000 / $55,200), Flanagan Lawrence (£45,000 / $51,700), and Allford Hall Monaghan Morris (£44,900 / $51,600).

“As expected, our first snapshot illuminates that there is indeed salary disparity between practices,” the group said in a statement. “We see this as a positive opportunity for those appearing further down in the Pay 100 rankings, to actively appeal to potential employees whilst working towards becoming an Accredited Pay 100 Employer, and enjoying the long-term benefits of cultivating truly valued employees.”

The Pay 100’s listings mirror efforts in the United States to improve salary transparency, including Archinect’s own Architecture Salary Poll. While The Pay 100 represents a grassroots effort to place conversations on compensation in the public domain, efforts in the U.S. have comprised of regulatory changes mandating companies disclose salary information.

As of yesterday, most employers in New York City are required by law to post salary minimums and maximums in any job opening, following legislation passed earlier this year. In early September, meanwhile, California lawmakers updated and passed their own salary transparency law, which was signed into law by Governor Newsom later that month. 

Measures designed to improve salary transparency already exist on a state-wide level in Colorado, Nevada, Connecticut, Washington, and Maryland. 

You can help us in our continued effort to provide salary insights into architectural practice across the USA by anonymously responding to the Architecture Salary Poll here.