Cloud Architect Salary in Davis, CA: $138,596 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time cloud architect in Davis, CA earns a median $138,596/year (≈ $66.63/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1241). Once you factor in Davis's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $122,543 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, cloud architects in Davis, California, can expect a median annual salary of $138,596, with a salary range from $83,541 at the 10th percentile to $206,593 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data projected to 2026 and adjusted for regional cost factors, reflect the local market demand and specialized skills in cloud cost optimization, particularly in FinOps. Despite the competitive salaries in this sector, the compensation for cloud architects in Davis is approximately 6.88% lower than the national median of $148,828. This context indicates a market that, while strong, still navigates the complexities of a higher-than-average cost of living index (113.1) associated with the area, warranting strategic career choices for those looking to maximize their earnings in the increasingly important field of cloud architecture.
About the Davis Market
Salary estimated from California average ($175,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $83,541 | $40.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $107,936 | $51.89 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $138,596 | $66.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $176,093 | $84.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $206,593 | $99.33 |
Median Salary Position
6.88% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Davis
In Davis, CA, the cloud architect salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $123,052 (2026 est.). At $138,596, the local median is 6.88% below the national median of $148,828.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Davis: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Davis Cloud Architect Pay Compares
Davis median: $138,596/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Davis Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $143,178 | -3.20% less |
| National Average | $148,828 | -6.88% less |
Cloud Architects in Davis, CA earn a median of $138,596 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.88% lower than the national median of $148,828 and 3.20% below the California state average of $143,178.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Davis has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Davis, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $138,596 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $122,543 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$113,338
2025 BLS Actual
$134,821
2026 Current Est.
$138,596
2019–2027 Growth
+25.7%
Salary Trajectory for Cloud Architects in Davis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.80% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $113,338 | Actual |
| 2020 | $117,452 | Actual |
| 2021 | $121,213 | Actual |
| 2022 | $127,630 | Actual |
| 2023 | $130,587 | Actual |
| 2024 | $191,549 | Actual |
| 2025 | $134,821 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $138,596 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $142,477 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Davis metropolitan area, the median cloud architect salary grew 19.0% from $113,338 (2019) to $134,821 (2025). At a 2.80% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $142,477 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,139 (25.71%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Davis metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.80% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $83,541 – $107,936 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $107,936 – $138,596 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $138,596 – $176,093 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $176,093 – $206,593 |
CA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual cloud architect compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Cloud Architect Job Market in Davis
The job market for cloud architects in Davis consists of around 14 individuals currently employed in the field, suggesting a niche yet vital demand for cloud professionals in this region. Given the elevated cost of living, take-home pay effectiveness can be significantly impacted—making the negotiation of salaries paramount. Local employers such as tech firms, consulting businesses specializing in cloud implementations, and Fortune 500 companies are key players in determining salary levels. Typically, positions requiring expertise in AWS will command the highest salaries due to the platform's market dominance. Professionals can enhance their pay scale by obtaining advanced certifications such as AWS Solutions Architect Professional or Azure SAA Expert, as well as specializing in cost management through roles like FinOps. These strategies, coupled with an understanding of local employer needs, can strongly influence how much do cloud architects make in Davis.
More salary data for Davis, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Maria Gonzalez, MS
Career Analyst
Maria has 10 years of experience in cloud architecture. She specializes in cloud security and compliance. She works in a technology consulting firm.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $134,821 for cloud architectsin the Davis metropolitan area. A 2.80% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Davis is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.80%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for cloud architects (SOC 15-1241).
Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, MS, a licensed cloud architect with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov