Okay, let’s tackle this. So Robert Pester has experience as an architect, which is a specialized field. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for architects in the United States is around $80,000. However, this figure doesn’t account for factors like location, industry demand, and level of experience. As an architect in Santa Barbara, California, Robert is likely to be in a higher-cost-of-living area, which could impact his salary. Considering his experience and location, I estimate his hourly rate to be around $125, which is slightly below the national average for architects. This rate is also in line with what I’d expect for an architect with 1-2 years of experience, as Robert’s experience is limited to a single company.