Salaries, Bonuses & Billing Rates in 2026

The 2026 A/E Compensation Strategy Snapshot study reveals some telling trends for Architecture & Engineering firms. They highlight a market that’s still competitive, but stabilizing:

Compensation is inching upward:

• 4.0% median salary increases projected for technical, professional, management, and admin staff

• 3.5% increases for principals and partners

Bonuses remain steady:

• 50% of firms plan to keep bonus levels flat
• Only 24% expect higher or significantly higher bonuses in 2026

Billing rates continue to rise:

• 5% median increase in 2025
• 4.2% projected increase for 2026

Overall, the data suggests architecture and engineering firms are prioritizing retention and cost control while nudging compensation and billing upward to stay competitive.

If you’re leading, hiring, or planning for 2026, these benchmarks are worth keeping in mind.

 

The architecture and engineering headhunters at AEC Resources help Minnesota’s leaders plan for 2026. These compensation and billing benchmarks provide valuable insight into where the Minneapolis/St Paul A/E market is heading. As firms balance retention, profitability, and controlled growth, understanding national, regional, and local compensation trends is essential for making smart hiring and leadership decisions. AEC Resources can provide A/E compensation insights, salary benchmarks, and talent strategy guidance tailored to Minneapolis architecture and engineering firms that want to stay competitive in 2026 and beyond.