Most London architecture studios fail to pay London Living Wage to Part I assistants, survey finds

The Pay 100's fifth annual salary survey has revealed that the majority of London-based architecture studios do not pay Part I architectural assistants the London Living Wage. The London Living Wage, currently set at £13.15 per hour, is a voluntary rate calculated by the Living Wage Foundation to reflect the real cost of living in the capital. Part I assistants, typically students or recent graduates completing their first year of practical experience, are often among the lowest-paid workers in architecture firms. The survey's findings highlight a significant gap between the profession's public commitments to social value and the financial realities faced by junior staff. With London's high housing and transport costs, failing to pay the London Living Wage can push early-career architects into financial hardship and deter diverse talent from entering the field. The data underscores ongoing concerns about pay transparency and equity in architecture, especially as the cost-of-living crisis deepens. The Pay 100, an annual benchmarking initiative, aims to hold practices accountable by publishing salary ranges and benefits. As more firms sign up to be accredited Living Wage employers, the survey suggests many still lag behind on fair pay for the next generation of architects.