Home > Salary > China > Principal Architect
A principal architect is a senior-level professional responsible for overseeing the design and development of architectural projects. They are involved in every stage of the project, from conceptualization to completion. Their primary role is to provide strategic guidance and leadership to the architectural team, ensuring that the design aligns with the client's vision and meets all regulatory requirements.
The principal architect collaborates with clients, engineers, contractors, and other stakeholders to develop innovative and sustainable architectural solutions. They are responsible for managing budgets, timelines, and resources, and ensuring that the project stays on track. The principal architect also plays a crucial role in mentoring and developing junior architects, providing guidance and feedback to help them grow professionally.
Estimated Yearly Salary: 294,356 CNY
Estimated Monthly Salary: 24,530 CNY
Estimated Weekly Salary: 5,661 CNY per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 142 CNY per hour
Values are pre-tax
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Estimated Monthly Salary: 23,624 CNY
Estimated Weekly Salary: 5,452 CNY per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 136 CNY per hour
Last revision of data: 2024-01-06
Estimated Yearly Salary: 36,694 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 3,058 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 706 USD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 18 USD per hour
Difference in salary year over year or average salary increase is approximately
4 %
Data confidence is - relatively high
Data fetched from dabase: 14 submissions.
Results are anonymized. Amounts indicated are pre-tax, meaning no deductionts yet have been made to the basic salary. Salaries where there are less than 3 entries are not displayed.
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Estimated Yearly Salary: 294,356 CNY
Estimated Monthly Salary: 24,530 CNY
Estimated Weekly Salary: 5,661 CNY per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 142 CNY per hour
By working as Principal Architect a person can save up to 2,544 USD per month or 30,526 USD yearly. Values are pre-tax.
NOTE: These values are estimates and are averaged for the whole country. Furthermore the value is likely exaggerated as no other expenses are taken into account in the projection. Unessential expenses are very subjective and are difficult to assess. Most likely the previously estimated number is significantly lower for majority of people. Expenses in different cities across the country may vary. Above values accuracy is low and is based on limited set of data obtained.
For more information regarding expenses in China, see costs of living in China.
Estimated Yearly Salary for Principal Architect
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Data as of 2025
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Principal Architect salary in China
Average Yearly Salary of Principal Architect in China is approximately 294,356 CNY (36,694 USD). Data is for 2025 and indicates a pre-tax value. The salary itself depends on multiple factors such as seniority, job performance, certifications, experience or any other bonuses. The value indicated is an average amount based on records we have in database. Real values may vary. The data is for orientational purposes.
What does Principal Architect do?

Skills: Principal Architect, Architecture, Design, Leadership, Project Management, Sustainable Design
Job industry: Architecture
Job industry: Architecture
How much does Principal Architect make?
Salary details
How much does Principal Architect make?Estimated Yearly Salary: 294,356 CNY
Estimated Monthly Salary: 24,530 CNY
Estimated Weekly Salary: 5,661 CNY per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 142 CNY per hour
Comparing salary to last year:
Estimated Yearly Salary: 283,488 CNYEstimated Monthly Salary: 23,624 CNY
Estimated Weekly Salary: 5,452 CNY per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 136 CNY per hour
Principal Architect estimated salary in USD
For easier comparison here is an estimated salary in USD:Estimated Yearly Salary: 36,694 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 3,058 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 706 USD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 18 USD per hour
Difference in salary year over year or average salary increase is approximately
About these results
Data confidence is - relatively high Data fetched from dabase: 14 submissions.
Results are anonymized. Amounts indicated are pre-tax, meaning no deductionts yet have been made to the basic salary. Salaries where there are less than 3 entries are not displayed.
Want to check how your salary compares? Submit your own salary here
Compare salary to other countries
Please type in your occupation and select desired country to see latest trends in salaries.
Country:
Salary comparison to National average
China is a vast country located in East Asia. It has the largest population in the world, with over 1.4 billion people. The country covers an expansive area of approximately 9.6 million square kilometers. China shares borders with 14 countries and has diverse geographical features, including mountains, plateaus, and plains.
Estimated national average yearly salary is 92,134 CNY (12,850 USD). Value indicated is pre-tax. Below graph shows estimated Principal Architect job salary compared to average salary in China.
Comparison shows that a person working as Principal Architect in China earns on average:
3.19 times the average salary (or 319% of average salary).
Estimated national average yearly salary is 92,134 CNY (12,850 USD). Value indicated is pre-tax. Below graph shows estimated Principal Architect job salary compared to average salary in China.
Comparison shows that a person working as Principal Architect in China earns on average:
3.19 times the average salary (or 319% of average salary).
Is Principal Architect a well paid job?
Yes, our data show that Principal Architect is a very well paid job. With years and experience the salary might increase even further, resulting in higher satisfaction.What is considered a high salary for Principal Architect?
High salary for Principal Architect would be somewhere between 323,792 CNY and 426,816 CNY. However this is an estimation based on Gaussian Distribution.How much can you save working as Principal Architect in China?
Living in China the approximate monthly expenses are: 514 USD. This amount covers basic needs such as food, housing, clothing, healthcare and education costs for a single person. No luxury expenses such as traveling, leisure, hobbies are included in the estimation.Estimated Yearly Salary: 294,356 CNY
Estimated Monthly Salary: 24,530 CNY
Estimated Weekly Salary: 5,661 CNY per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 142 CNY per hour
By working as Principal Architect a person can save up to 2,544 USD per month or 30,526 USD yearly. Values are pre-tax.
NOTE: These values are estimates and are averaged for the whole country. Furthermore the value is likely exaggerated as no other expenses are taken into account in the projection. Unessential expenses are very subjective and are difficult to assess. Most likely the previously estimated number is significantly lower for majority of people. Expenses in different cities across the country may vary. Above values accuracy is low and is based on limited set of data obtained.
For more information regarding expenses in China, see costs of living in China.
Salary comparison to region and neighbouring coutries
Country's neighbours are: Russia, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar (Burma), Laos, Vietnam, North Korea. To make it easier for comparison a conversion from local currency to USD has been made (conversion rates may vary).Estimated Yearly Salary for Principal Architect
Salary increase per years of experience
Based on data available the salary increase per years of experience is as following- 0 years (beginner) equals base salary
- 1 to 5 years of experience yields
- 6 to 10 years of experience yields
- 11 to 15 years of experience yields
- 16 to 25 years of experience yields
- more than 25 years of experience yields
Top 10 highest salaries in China
(1,075,420 CNY per year, pre-tax.)
2. Cardiologist
(893,602 CNY per year, pre-tax.)
(861,748 CNY per year, pre-tax.)
4. Neurosurgeon
(835,990 CNY per year, pre-tax.)
(833,048 CNY per year, pre-tax.)
6. Urologist
(818,021 CNY per year, pre-tax.)
(817,649 CNY per year, pre-tax.)
(817,013 CNY per year, pre-tax.)
(813,232 CNY per year, pre-tax.)
10. Oncologist
(812,783 CNY per year, pre-tax.)
Random salary:
Geographic information systems (gis), analyst (115,093 CNY per year, pre-tax.)
Corporate trainer (93,052 CNY per year, pre-tax.)
Internal audit director (220,205 CNY per year, pre-tax.)
Bank teller manager (57,123 CNY per year, pre-tax.)
Staff engineer mechanical engineering (242,953 CNY per year, pre-tax.)
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All salary data on optisalary.com are for informational use only. We gather data from numerous trusted sources, yet do not guarantee complete accuracy. Before making career decisions, users should consult additional authoritative sources. Salaries fluctuate due to various influences, including negotiation skills, industry demand, and experience levels. We deny any liability for errors in the salary estimates provided here. Your use with optisalary.com constitutes agreement of this disclaimer.