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Vacation time
new Architects earn about 1.3 weeks of vacation time. architects with 1 to 4 years of experience earn 1.9 weeks of vacation time and architects with 5 to 9 years of experience 2.3 weeks of vacation

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Architects design structures, focusing on cost, safety, appearance and function. Architects earn lower salaries than other professionals such as doctors and lawyers, but most major architectural firms offer a range of fringe benefits to compensate for the lower salaries. Many young architects also consider the profession's creative elements as a substantial benefit. Architects can design towering skyscrapers and other facilities that can survive for their children and grandchildren to appreciate and enjoy.

credit: Comstock Images/Stockbyte/Getty Images

Health Benefits

According to a 2007 salary survey conducted by Architect Magazine, most employer respondents pay 100 percent of their employees' health insurance premiums. Firms that did not cover all of the costs typically covered 75 percent to 80 percent of health care costs for employees.

Some firms offered fitness subsidies and flexible spending accounts for out-of-pocket medical expenses. Others offered family-friendly benefits such as paternity leave for new fathers.

Vacation and Leave

According to PayScale, new architects averaged 1.3 weeks of vacation time. Architects earned more vacation time with rising experience and seniority. Those with one to four years of experience earned 1.9 weeks of vacation time while those with five to nine years of experience earned 2.3 weeks of vacation. More experienced architects earned up to an average of 2.8 weeks of vacation time per year.

Other Common Benefits

According to a 2008 salary and benefits survey from Architect Magazine, 89 percent of employers offer a 401(k) or IRA plan to workers. Eighty-three percent of firms payed professional association dues for employees. Seventy-seven percent offered dental insurance and reimbursement for continuing education credits. Sixty-eight percent of firms offered long-term disability coverage and 56 percent provided flexible spending plans.

Less Common Benefits

The Architecture Magazine survey reported that 38 percent of private firms offered a profit-sharing plan to architects in the office. Other uncommon benefits include short-term disability (32 percent), vision insurance (30 percent), life insurance (8 percent), and a pension plan (4 percent). Three percent of employers provided health club reimbursements or cell phones to employees.

PARTNER CONTENT

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Architects design structures, focusing on cost, safety, appearance and function. Architects earn lower salaries than other professionals such as doctors and lawyers, but most major architectural firms offer a range of fringe benefits to compensate for the lower salaries. Many young architects also consider the profession's creative elements as a substantial benefit.

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They spend there whole day at their office, contacting contractors, drafting and researching buildings and of the time going to construction sites to see how the building and structure is progressing

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the annual wage of a architect is $76,930
Vacation time
new Architects earn about 1.3 weeks of vacation time. architects with 1 to 4 years of experience earn 1.9 weeks of vacation time and architects with 5 to 9 years of experience 2.3 weeks of vacation

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Summary

Video transcript available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nymZ3dD-VWE.

Quick Facts: Architects
2018 Median Pay

$79,380 per year
$38.16 per hour

Architects plan and design houses, factories, office buildings, and other structures.

Architects spend much of their time in offices, where they develop plans, meet with clients, and consult with engineers and other architects. They also visit construction sites to prepare initial drawings and review the progress of projects to ensure that clients' objectives are met.

There are typically three main steps to becoming a licensed architect: completing a bachelor's degree in architecture, gaining relevant experience through a paid internship, and passing the Architect Registration Examination.

The median annual wage for architects was $79,380 in May 2018.

Employment of architects is projected to grow 8 percent from 2018 to 2028, faster than the average for all occupations. With a high number of students graduating with degrees in architecture, strong competition for internships and jobs is expected.

Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for architects.

Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of architects with similar occupations.

Learn more about architects by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.

Architects plan and design houses, factories, office buildings, and other structures.

Duties

Architects typically do the following:

Meet with clients to determine objectives and requirements for structures

Give preliminary estimates on cost and construction time

Prepare structure specifications

Direct workers who prepare drawings and documents

Prepare scaled drawings, either with computer software or by hand

Prepare contract documents for building contractors

Manage construction contracts

Visit worksites to ensure that construction adheres to architectural plans

Seek new work by marketing and giving presentations

People need places to live, work, play, learn, shop, and eat. Architects are responsible for designing these places. They work on public or private projects and design both indoor and outdoor spaces. Architects can be commissioned to design anything from a single room to an entire complex of buildings.

Architects discuss with clients the objectives, requirements, and budget of a project. In some cases, architects provide predesign services, such as feasibility and environmental impact studies, site selection, cost analyses, and design requirements.

Architects develop final construction plans on the initial proposal after discussing with clients. The architects' plans show the building's appearance and details of its construction. These plans include drawings of the structural system; air-conditioning, heating, and ventilating systems; electrical systems; communications systems; and plumbing. Sometimes, landscape plans are included as well. In developing designs, architects must follow state and local building codes, zoning laws, fire regulations, and other ordinances, such as those requiring reasonable access for people with disabilities.

Architects use computer-aided design and drafting (CADD) and building information modeling (BIM) for creating designs and construction drawings. However, hand-drawing skills are still required, especially during the conceptual stages of a project and when an architect is at a construction site.

As construction continues, architects may visit building sites to ensure that contractors follow the design, adhere to the schedule, use the specified materials, and meet work-quality standards. The job is not complete until all construction is finished, required tests are conducted, and construction costs are paid.

Architects may also help clients get construction bids, select contractors, and negotiate construction contracts.

Architects often collaborate with workers in related occupations, such as civil engineers, urban and regional planners, drafters, interior designers, and landscape architects.

Architects held about 133,900 jobs in 2018. The largest employers of architects were as follows:

Architectural, engineering, and related services

69%

Self-employed workers

20

Government

3

Construction

3

Architects spend much of their time in offices, where they meet with clients, develop reports and drawings, and work with other architects and engineers. They also visit construction sites to ensure that clients' objectives are met and to review the progress of projects. Some architects work from home offices.

Work Schedules

Most architects work full time and many work additional hours, especially when facing deadlines. Self-employed architects may have more flexible work schedules.

There are typically three main steps to becoming a licensed architect: completing a bachelor's degree in architecture, gaining relevant experience through a paid internship, and passing the Architect Registration Examination.

Education

In all states, earning a bachelor's degree in architecture is typically the first step to becoming an architect. Most architects earn their degree through a 5-year Bachelor of Architecture degree program. Many earn a master's degree in architecture, which can take 1 to 5 additional years. The time required depends on the extent of the student's previous education and training in architecture.

A typical bachelor's degree program includes courses in architectural history and theory, building design with an emphasis on computer-aided design and drafting (CADD), structures, construction methods, professional practices, math, physical sciences, and liberal arts.

About two-thirds of states require that architects hold a degree in architecture from one of more than 120 schools of architecture accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB). State licensing requirements can be found at the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB).

Training

All state architectural registration boards require architecture graduates to complete a lengthy paid internship-generally lasting 3 years-before they may sit for the Architect Registration Examination. Most new graduates complete their training period by working at architectural firms through the Architectural Experience Program (AXP), a program run by NCARB that guides students through the internship process. Some states allow a portion of the training to occur in the offices of employers in related careers, such as engineers and general contractors. Architecture students who complete internships while still in school can count some of that time toward the 3-year training period.

Interns in architectural firms may help design part of a project. They may help prepare architectural documents and drawings, build models, and prepare construction drawings on CADD. Interns may also research building codes and write specifications for building materials, installation criteria, the quality of finishes, and other related details. Licensed architects take the documents that interns produce, make edits to them, finalize plans, and then sign and seal the documents.

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

All states and the District of Columbia require architects to be licensed. Licensing requirements typically include completing a degree program in architecture, gaining relevant experience through a paid internship, and passing the Architect Registration Examination.

Most states also require some form of continuing education to keep a license. Continuing education requirements vary by state but usually involve additional education through workshops, university classes, conferences, self-study courses, or other sources.

Advancement

After many years of work experience, some architects advance to become architectural and engineering managers. These managers typically coordinate the activities of employees and may work on larger construction projects.

Important Qualities

Analytical skills. Architects must understand the content of designs and the context in which they were created. For example, architects must understand the locations of mechanical systems and how those systems affect building operations.

Communication skills. Architects share their ideas, both in oral presentations and in writing, with clients, other architects, and workers who help prepare drawings. Many also give presentations to explain their ideas and designs.

Creativity. Architects design the overall look of houses, buildings, and other structures. They must ensure that the final product is both attractive and functional.

Organizational skills. Architects often manage contracts. Therefore, they must keep records related to the details of a project, including total cost, materials used, and progress.

Technical skills. Architects need to use CADD technology to create plans as part of building information modeling (BIM).

Visualization skills. Architects must be able to envision how the parts of a structure relate to each other. They also must be able to visualize how the overall building will look once completed.

Median annual wages, May 2018

The median annual wage for architects was $79,380 in May 2018. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $48,020, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $138,120.

In May 2018, the median annual wages for architects in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

Government

$92,940

Architectural, engineering, and related services

78,460

Construction

78,110

Most architects work full time and many work additional hours, especially when facing deadlines. Self-employed architects may have more flexible work hours.

Employment of architects is projected to grow 8 percent from 2018 to 2028, faster than the average for all occupations.

Architects are expected to be needed to make plans and designs for the construction and renovation of homes, offices, retail stores, and other structures. Many school districts and universities are expected to build new facilities or renovate existing ones. In addition, demand is expected for more healthcare facilities as the baby-boomer population ages and as more people use healthcare services.

Demand for architects with a knowledge of "green design," also called sustainable design, is expected to continue. Architects should be needed to design buildings and structures that efficiently use resources, such as energy and water conservation; reduce waste and pollution; and apply environmentally friendly design, specifications, and materials.

Job Prospects

With a high number of students graduating with degrees in architecture, strong competition for internships and jobs is expected.

Employment of architects is strongly tied to the activity of the construction industry. Therefore, these workers may experience periods of unemployment when there is a slowdown in requests for new projects or when the overall level of construction falls.

Occupational Title

SOC Code

Employment, 2018

Projected Employment, 2028

Change, 2018-28

Employment by Industry

Percent

Numeric

Architects, except landscape and naval

17-1011

133,900

145,100

8

11,200
Get data

Occupational Employment Statistics (OES)

The Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OES data maps for employment and wages by state and area.

Projections Central

Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.com. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state's websites where these data may be retrieved.

CareerOneStop

CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.

For information about careers in architecture, visit
American Institute of Architects National Architectural Accrediting Board National Council of Architectural Registration Boards
O*NET
Architects, Except Landscape and Naval

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Video transcript available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nymZ3dD-VWE. Quick Facts: Architects 2018 Median Pay $79,380 per year $38.16 per hour Architects plan and design houses, factories, office buildings, and other structures. Architects spend much of their time in offices, where they develop plans, meet with clients, and consult with engineers and other architects.

# data[].attributes.body
you have to earn a Bachelor of Degree of Architecture degree in college to become a architect (5 years in college).
most have to do a paid internship for about 3 years before you can the Architect Registration Examination

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Architects : Occupational Outlook Handbook: : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Architects plan and design houses, factories, office buildings, and other structures.

# data[].attributes.body
The main role of architect is that they design houses, factories, office buildings and other type of structure

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Summary

Video transcript available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nymZ3dD-VWE.

Quick Facts: Architects
2023 Median Pay

$93,310 per year
$44.86 per hour

Architects plan and design houses, factories, office buildings, and other structures.

Architects spend much of their time in offices, where they develop plans, meet with clients, and consult with engineers and other architects. They also visit construction sites to prepare initial drawings and review the progress of projects to ensure that clients' objectives are met.

There are typically three main steps to becoming a licensed architect: completing a bachelor's degree in architecture, gaining relevant experience through a paid internship, and passing the Architect Registration Examination.

The median annual wage for architects was $93,310 in May 2023.

Employment of architects is projected to grow 8 percent from 2023 to 2033, faster than the average for all occupations.

About 8,500 openings for architects are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for architects.

Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of architects with similar occupations.

Learn more about architects by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.

Architects plan and design houses, factories, office buildings, and other structures.

Duties

Architects typically do the following:

Meet with clients to determine objectives and requirements for structures

Give preliminary estimates on cost and construction time

Prepare structure specifications

Direct workers who prepare drawings and documents

Prepare scaled drawings, either with computer software or by hand

Prepare contract documents for building contractors

Manage construction contracts

Visit worksites to ensure that construction adheres to architectural plans

Seek new work by marketing and giving presentations

People need places to live, work, play, learn, shop, and eat. Architects are responsible for designing these places. They work on public or private projects and design both indoor and outdoor spaces. Architects can be commissioned to design anything from a single room to an entire complex of buildings.

Architects discuss with clients the objectives, requirements, and budget of a project. In some cases, architects provide predesign services, such as feasibility and environmental impact studies, site selection, cost analyses, and design requirements.

Architects develop final construction plans on the initial proposal after discussing with clients. The architects' plans show the building's appearance and details of its construction. These plans include drawings of the structural system; air-conditioning, heating, and ventilating systems; electrical systems; communications systems; and plumbing. Sometimes, landscape plans are included as well. In developing designs, architects must follow state and local building codes, zoning laws, fire regulations, and other ordinances, such as those requiring reasonable access for people with disabilities.

Architects use computer-aided design and drafting (CADD) and building information modeling (BIM) for creating designs and construction drawings. However, hand-drawing skills are still required, especially during the conceptual stages of a project and when an architect is at a construction site.

As construction continues, architects may visit building sites to ensure that contractors follow the design, adhere to the schedule, use the specified materials, and meet work-quality standards. The job is not complete until all construction is finished, required tests are conducted, and construction costs are paid.

Architects may also help clients get construction bids, select contractors, and negotiate construction contracts.

Architects often collaborate with workers in related occupations, such as civil engineers, urban and regional planners, drafters, interior designers, and landscape architects.

Architects held about 127,300 jobs in 2023. The largest employers of architects were as follows:

Architectural, engineering, and related services

75%

Self-employed workers

13

Construction

3

Government

3

Architects spend much of their time in offices, where they meet with clients, develop reports and drawings, and work with other architects and engineers. They also visit construction sites to ensure that clients' objectives are met and to review the progress of projects. Some architects work from home offices.

Work Schedules

Most architects work full time and many work additional hours, especially when facing deadlines. Self-employed architects may have more flexible work schedules.

There are typically three main steps to becoming a licensed architect: completing a bachelor's degree in architecture, gaining relevant experience through a paid internship, and passing the Architect Registration Examination.

Education

Architects typically need a bachelor's degree in architecture. Most architects earn their degree through a 5-year Bachelor of Architecture degree program. Many earn a master's degree in architecture, which can take 1 to 5 additional years. The time required depends on the extent of the student's previous education and training in architecture.

A typical bachelor's degree program includes courses in architectural history and theory, building design with an emphasis on computer-aided design and drafting (CADD), structures, construction methods, professional practices, math, physical sciences, and liberal arts.

About two-thirds of states require that architects hold a degree in architecture from one of more than 120 schools of architecture accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB). State licensing requirements can be found at the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB).

Training

All state architectural registration boards require architecture graduates to complete a lengthy paid internship-generally lasting 3 years-before they may sit for the Architect Registration Examination. Most new graduates complete their training period by working at architectural firms through the Architectural Experience Program (AXP), a program run by NCARB that guides students through the internship process. Some states allow a portion of the training to occur in the offices of employers in related careers, such as engineers and general contractors. Architecture students who complete internships while still in school can count some of that time toward the 3-year training period.

Interns in architectural firms may help design part of a project. They may help prepare architectural documents and drawings, build models, and prepare construction drawings on CADD. Interns may also research building codes and write specifications for building materials, installation criteria, the quality of finishes, and other related details. Licensed architects take the documents that interns produce, make edits to them, finalize plans, and then sign and seal the documents.

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

All states and the District of Columbia require architects to be licensed. Licensing requirements typically include completing a degree program in architecture, gaining relevant experience through a paid internship, and passing the Architect Registration Examination.

Most states also require some form of continuing education to keep a license. Continuing education requirements vary by state but usually involve additional education through workshops, university classes, conferences, self-study courses, or other sources.

Advancement

After many years of work experience, some architects advance to become architectural and engineering managers. These managers typically coordinate the activities of employees and may work on larger construction projects.

Important Qualities

Analytical skills. Architects must understand the content of designs and the context in which they were created. For example, architects must understand the locations of mechanical systems and how those systems affect building operations.

Communication skills. Architects share their ideas, both in oral presentations and in writing, with clients, other architects, and workers who help prepare drawings. Many also give presentations to explain their ideas and designs.

Creativity. Architects design the overall look of houses, buildings, and other structures. They must ensure that the final product is both attractive and functional.

Organizational skills. Architects often manage contracts. Therefore, they must keep records related to the details of a project, including total cost, materials used, and progress.

Technical skills. Architects need to use CADD technology to create plans as part of building information modeling (BIM).

Visualization skills. Architects must be able to envision how the parts of a structure relate to each other. They also must be able to visualize how the overall building will look once completed.

Median annual wages, May 2023

The median annual wage for architects was $93,310 in May 2023. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $58,870, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $151,300.

In May 2023, the median annual wages for architects in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

Government

$106,540

Architectural, engineering, and related services

89,970

Construction

84,240

Most architects work full time and many work additional hours, especially when facing deadlines. Self-employed architects may have more flexible work hours.

Employment of architects is projected to grow 8 percent from 2023 to 2033, faster than the average for all occupations.

About 8,500 openings for architects are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Employment

Architects are expected to be needed to make plans and designs, particularly in sustainable design, for the construction and renovation of homes, schools, healthcare facilities, and other structures. Improved building information modeling (BIM) software and measuring technology are expected to allow architects to take on activities once performed by other workers, such as architectural and civil drafters, interior designers, and engineers.

Occupational Title

SOC Code

Employment, 2023

Projected Employment, 2033

Change, 2023-33

Employment by Industry

Percent

Numeric

Architects, except landscape and naval

17-1011

127,300

137,200

8

9,900
Get data

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)

The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OEWS data maps for employment and wages by state and area.

Projections Central

Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.org. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state's websites where these data may be retrieved.

CareerOneStop

CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.

For information about careers in architecture, visit
American Institute of Architects National Architectural Accrediting Board National Council of Architectural Registration Boards
O*NET
Architects, Except Landscape and Naval

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Architects plan and design houses, factories, office buildings, and other structures.