architects
$80,750
Median Annual Wage
133,900
Number of Jobs
8%
Job Outlook
What do architects do?
Chances are you’ve driven by a house, church, school, library, or any other kind of building. Guess who plans and designs those buildings? You guessed it – architects! Architects are responsible for designing and planning houses, factories, office buildings, and other structures. They discuss objectives and requirements with their clients, and develp a budget. They draft concepts and ideas by hand and develp them with the help of advanced digital programs. Architects often collaborate with workers in related occupations like engineers and drafters to help them develop and complete their projects.
Meet
Meet with clients to determine objectives and requirements for structures
Estimate
Give preliminary estimates on cost and construction time
Prepare
Prepare structure specifications
Direct
Direct workers who prepare drawings and documents
Draw
Prepare scaled drawings, either with computer software or by hand
Visit
Visit worksites to ensure that construction adheres to architectural plans
Manage
Manage construction contracts and prepare contract documents for building contractors
Seek
Seek new work by marketing and giving presentations
Work Environment
Architects held about 133,900 jobs in 2018. The largest employers of architects are shown on the right.
Surprising as it may seem, architects spend much of their time in offices where they meet with clients, develop reports, and work on drawings. Additionally, they often work with other architects and engineers to help them accomplish their goals. Sometimes they visit construction sites to make sure everything is going smoothly. A whopping 20% of architects are self-employed, and some of them even work in home offices!
- Architectural, engineering, and related services – 69%
- Self-employed workers 20%
- government – 3%
- construction – 3%
Work Schedule
Architects are busy guys and gals. They’ve got a lot to do, so most architects work full time and many work additional hours, especially when facing deadlines. But there are some architects that are self-employed, so they may have more flexible work schedules to suit their individual needs.
PAY
$48,700
$80,750
$137,620
Low
The maximum annual wage for the lowest ten percent of architects in 2019.
Median
The median annual pay wage for architects in 2019.
High
The minimum annual wage for the top ten percent of architects in 2019.
Median annual wages in top industries
- government – $93,970
- construction – $80,040
- Architectural, engineering, and related services – $79,830
Job Outlook
Employment of architects is projected to grow 8% from 2018 to 2028 (faster than average for all occupations). That means there will be about 11,200 more jobs available for architects throughout this next decade! With a high number of students graduating with degrees in architecture, strong competition for internships and jobs is expected (time to get your game face on). Employment of architects is strongly tied to the activity of the construction industry, because architects are the ones who design the buildings in the first place! So, these workers may experience periods of unemployment depending on how well the construction industry is thriving.
How do I become an architect?
1. Bachelor's Degree
There are typically three steps to becoming a licensed architect. First, you need to obtain a bachelor’s degree in architecture. Most architects earn their degree through a 5-year Bachelor of Architecture degree program.
2. Internship
The next you’ll want to do if you want to become an architect is to complete a paid internship! All state architectural registration boards require architecture graduates to complete a lengthy paid internship (usually about 3 years) before they can progress in their career. Most new graduates complete their training by working at architectural firms through the Architectural Experience Program.
3. Architect Registration Examination
The third and final step to become an architect is to get licensed. All states 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.
For High School Students
If you’re interested in becoming an architect, you don’t have to wait until college to prepare! High school students can prepare for this career by taking classes in math, science, drafting, and computer skills (if available). Any form of S.T.E.M. related classes would be valuable as well! A basic understanding of computers and software is also recommended.
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.
Is there anything else I need to know in order to become an architect?
We’ve covered almost everything about architects including their salary, work schedule, job outlook, work environment, and education! Here are some common questions that one might ask about what it takes to become an architect!
How long does it take to become an architect?
To become an architect, you need to earn bachelor’s degree in architecture, complete a paid internship, and pass the Architect Registration Examination. Most architects earn their degree from a 5-year Bachelor of Architecture degree program, and some may even earn a Master’s degree in architecture which can take 1-5 additional years. Architects may also complete a paid internship which generally takes about 3 years. So, it can take anywhere from 5-8 years to become an architect, although it may take time to gain the necessary experience that is usually required for higher-paying jobs.
What are the best colleges to go to if I want to become an architect?
There are many colleges that offer great programs for students that are interested in becoming architects including the following;
- Washington University in St. Louis
- Rice University
- Cornell University
- University of Notre Dame
- University of Southern California
- University of California – Berkeley
- University of Virginia
- Tulane University
- Northeastern University
- Virginia Tech
- Carnegie Mellon University
- University of Texas – Austin
Do I have to have a bachelor's degree in order to become an architect?
Yes, all states require architects to be licensed, and you can’t be a licensed architect unless you go to college! Your best bet is to get a bachelor’s or master’s degree in architecture, and there are many great programs out there for wanna-be architects to earn their degree. All state architectural registration boards require architecture graduates to complete a lengthy paid internship as well before they can sit at the Architect Registration Examination.
How many women are aerospace engineering and operations technicians compared to men?
Nearly 2 in 5 registered archiects are women, which is nearly half (and much higher than some other occupations!). In 2016, women accounted for 36% of newly licensed architects. So, the architecture industry is generally dominated by men, although women aren’t too far behind!
How do I know if becoming an architect is right for me?
As exciting as this job may seem, it is a lot of work – just like any other career in the workforce! If you are unsure if becoming an architect is right for you, learn about it as much as you can! This career typically favors those who are interested in mathamatics, science, and mechanics. Although, you are in control of your future so it is up to you what you’d like to become!
You might also be interested in:
Aerospace engineers
Electro-mechanical Technicians
