Cloud Architect in the United States: a US$172,000 national median
Cloud Architects in the United States earn a national median of US$172,000 (US$14,300 a month, roughly US$83 an hour on a 2,080-hour year).
BLS OEWS (May 2025) publishes the national spread for the matching occupation: US$79,900 at the 10th percentile and US$202,680 at the 90th, a 2.5× gap.
The closest technology peer is machine learning engineer at US$180,000, so a cloud architect earns 4.4% less at the national median in the United States.
Cloud Architect pay in official statistics for the United States
The closest official occupation is Computer Network Architects (SOC 15-1241). In May 2025 its national median was $134,050 a year.
That is 22% below the SalaryByRole median above. The sources define the job differently (an official occupation group versus a job title), so read them as a range rather than one figure.
The published 10th and 90th percentiles are $79,900 and $202,680, a 2.5× spread.
BLS estimates 179,740 jobs in this occupation nationwide.
National figures, Computer Network Architects (SOC 15-1241), May 2025
Cloud Architect pay in the United States vs other countries
The United States is 1st of 5 countries for this role once medians are converted at the same exchange rate (US$172,000). Australia pays 17% less (US$142,010). The gap between the highest and lowest market is 4.5×.
That median is about 1.9× GDP per person (US$90,000, World Bank 2025). That is a rough sign of how far the role pays above the average national income.
Among the 27 careers we cover, this one ranks 4th by national median, in the top quarter. Just above it is Machine Learning Engineer (US$180,000, 5% more). Just below is Lawyer (US$160,000).
Within technology, Machine Learning Engineer (US$180,000) pays more, while Product Manager (US$158,000), DevOps Engineer (US$140,000) and Software Engineer (US$136,000) pay less.
Cloud Architect take-home pay in the United States (estimate)
Using our take-home calculator for the United States, the US$172,000 median loses income tax US$30,014, Social Security US$10,664 and Medicare US$2,494, leaving US$128,828 a year or US$10,736 a month. Total deductions: 25% of gross.
At the published 10th percentile from BLS OEWS (May 2025) (US$79,900) deductions are 19%; at the 90th (US$202,680) they reach 26%, leaving US$12,575 a month.
The United States: prices, jobs and holidays
Consumer prices in the United States rose 2.9% in 2024 (World Bank). Matching that on the US$172,000 median takes a raise of about US$4,988.
Unemployment was 4.2% of the labour force in 2025.
The United States has 14 public holidays in 2026 (Nager.Date); at the median, one working day is worth about US$662 before tax.
United States
Australia