How Much Does a Senior Data Architect Make? (2025)
A senior data architect designs and oversees an organization’s data systems, ensuring data is well-structured, integrated, secure, and accessible. They create data models, develop architecture for databases and data pipelines, and guide employees on best practices for data management, analytics, and governance.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment for senior data architect is projected to grow by 9 percent from 2023 to 2033, with approximately 9,500 job openings each year. Many of these roles arise from the need to replace experienced professionals who retire or pursue other opportunities, especially as businesses demand better data access and security infrastructure.
But how much do senior data architect earn? Based on Salary.com reports, the average senior data architect salary in the U.S. is $127,590 per year as of June 2025.
In this salary guide, explore senior data architect salaries, the highest-paying cities, and answers to common questions about the job title.
What is the Average Senior Data Architect’s Salary?
As of June 2025, the average senior data architect salary in the United States is $127,590 per year or $61 per hour. The salary range for senior data architect is between $110,969 and $146,312 with most earnings of $118,890 to $137,390 per year.
2025 Average Salary for Senior Data Architect: $127,590 per year ($61 per hour)
A senior data architect reported an average monthly salary of $10,663, while the average weekly pay is $2,454. Moreover, the average senior data architect salary per hour is $61, according to the salary report.
| Percentile | By Hour | By Week | By Month | By Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $53 | $2,134 | $9,247 | $110,969 |
| 25th Percentile | $57 | $2,286 | $9,908 | $118,890 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $61 | $2,454 | $10,663 | $127,590 |
| 75th Percentile | $66 | $2,642 | $11,449 | $137,390 |
| 90th Percentile | $70 | $2,814 | $12,193 | $146,312 |
Apart from base pay, senior data architect may receive average additional cash compensation, contributing to their total compensation package. The average total compensation of a senior data architect is $143,690 per year.
Senior Data Architect Salaries State by State
Senior data architect salaries vary across U.S. states due to several factors such as minimum wage, job demand, location, and cost of living.
The table below shows that the states with the lowest pay for senior data architect are Mississippi ($121,090), West Virginia ($122,290), and Arkansas ($122,690).
Meanwhile, the highest average salaries for senior data architects are found in the District of Columbia ($150,390), California ($149,790), and Massachusetts ($147,790).
| State | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $146,990 |
| Alabama | $124,790 |
| Arkansas | $122,690 |
| Arizona | $132,290 |
| California | $149,790 |
| Colorado | $138,590 |
| Connecticut | $145,090 |
| District of Columbia (DC) | $150,390 |
| Delaware | $137,490 |
| Florida | $128,490 |
| Georgia | $130,990 |
| Hawaii | $141,990 |
| Iowa | $129,990 |
| Idaho | $126,790 |
| Illinois | $138,390 |
| Indiana | $130,390 |
| Kansas | $129,290 |
| Kentucky | $127,790 |
| Louisiana | $129,090 |
| Massachusetts | $147,790 |
| Maryland | $139,990 |
| Maine | $132,390 |
| Michigan | $133,790 |
| Minnesota | $138,990 |
| Missouri | $128,990 |
| Mississippi | $121,090 |
| Montana | $128,190 |
| North Carolina | $129,090 |
| North Dakota | $134,190 |
| Nebraska | $127,990 |
| New Hampshire | $137,290 |
| New Jersey | $147,190 |
| New Mexico | $125,790 |
| Nevada | $134,390 |
| New York | $144,390 |
| Ohio | $132,190 |
| Oklahoma | $125,590 |
| Oregon | $137,890 |
| Pennsylvania | $135,190 |
| Rhode Island | $140,790 |
| South Carolina | $127,290 |
| South Dakota | $123,390 |
| Tennessee | $126,890 |
| Texas | $132,490 |
| Utah | $130,090 |
| Virginia | $136,790 |
| Vermont | $133,290 |
| Washington | $147,290 |
| Wisconsin | $133,590 |
| West Virginia | $122,290 |
| Wyoming | $130,290 |
What are the Best-Paying Cities for Senior Data Architect?
Senior data architect salaries also vary by city due to variations in cost of living, local demand for specific occupations, and industry rates in urban areas. For example, California cities like San Jose, San Francisco, and Oakland offer a high average pay for senior data architects, with $171,190, $169,590, and $165,790, respectively.
| Cities | Average Pay |
|---|---|
| San Jose, California | $171,190 |
| San Francisco, California | $169,590 |
| Oakland, California | $165,790 |
| New York, NY | $157,390 |
| Queens Village, New York | $156,390 |
| Paramus, New York | $155,290 |
How Does Experience Affect Senior Data Architect Salaries?
The wage of senior data architects increases with experience. According to a Salary.com report, entry-level senior data architect earn an average of $125,763 per year, while an experienced senior data architect with over 8 years of experience earns an average of $141,465 per year.
| Level | Average Pay |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Senior Data Architect | $125,763 |
| Intermediate Level Senior Data Architect | $126,868 |
| Senior Level Senior Data Architect | $129,077 |
| Specialist Level Senior Data Architect | $137,166 |
| Expert Level Senior Data Architect | $141,465 |
How to Increase Salary as a Senior Data Architect?
Senior Data Architects typically hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer science, data science, or a related field, along with 8+ years of experience in data architecture, engineering, or IT. Salary growth depends on skill specialization, leadership potential, and continuous learning.
Senior Data Architect Advancements
- Build a Strong Portfolio: Employers look for a proven track record of architecting scalable, secure, and high-performance data systems. A portfolio highlighting cloud migrations, data lake implementations, and cross-functional data strategies strengthens your credibility. Certifications, public speaking engagements, or technical blogs further boost visibility and professional reputation.
- Promotion to Leadership Roles: Career advancement can lead to roles like Lead Data Architect, Enterprise Architect, Principal Data Architect or Director of Data Architecture. These roles offer not only higher salaries but also influence over enterprise data strategy and team leadership.
- Specialization in High-Demand Areas: Focusing on in-demand niches like cloud data architecture, data governance, AI/ML infrastructure, or cybersecurity can significantly boost compensation. Obtaining certifications such as Google Professional Data Engineer, AWS Certified Data Analytics – Specialty, or TOGAF can make you stand out to employers.
- Education and Continuous Learning: Enrolling in advanced programs in data science, enterprise architecture, cloud computing, or business analytics equips professionals with leadership and strategic skills. These credentials can pave the way for executive-level roles and higher compensation.
Senior Data Architects Skills
Senior data architects with certain in-demand skills can increase their salaries. According to the Real-time Job Posting Salary DataReal-time Job Posting Salary Data Report, senior data architects with Structured Query Language skills can earn a 5.21% salary increase, followed by data management skills with a 4.92% increase.
| Skill | Demand | Salary Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Structured Query Language (SQL) | 45.19% | 5.21% |
| Data Management | 29.06% | 4.92% |
| Extract, Transform, Load (ETL) | 34.14% | 4.20% |
| Application Programming Interfaces | 18.20% | 3.57% |
| Data Governance | 22.71% | 1.89% |
| Data Architecture | 31.95% | 1.41% |
What are the FAQs About Senior Data Architect Salaries?
Here are some common questions about senior data architects wage:
Do senior data architects make good money?
It depends. The income of senior data architects varies significantly, influenced by factors like experience and specialization. According to Salary.com report, the salary range for senior data architects is between $110,969 and $146,312.
Is senior data architect a good career?
Absolutely. It’s a high-growth field with strong demand, high salaries, and opportunities for advancement. Both men and women are increasingly entering this profession due to its strategic importance and the rising reliance on data in business, making the senior data architect role critical to organizational success.
What does a senior data architect do?
They build, manage, and optimize data systems to support business decisions. This includes defining architecture, managing teams, guiding data governance, and ensuring reliable access to data systems.
