Architects
1. OVERVIEW
Architects are creative problem-solvers who plan and design the structures that shape our built environment—from homes and schools to offices and hospitals. They blend artistic vision with technical expertise to meet client needs, building codes, and sustainability standards.
2024 Median Pay: $96,690/year
Job Growth (2023–2033): +8% (faster than average)
Typical Education: Bachelor’s degree in Architecture
2. ROLE BREAKDOWN BY LEVEL
ENTRY LEVEL
Job Titles: Junior Architect, Architectural Intern, CAD Designer
Education: Bachelor’s in Architecture (NAAB-accredited)
Experience: 0–3 years; participation in the Architectural Experience Program (AXP)
Certifications (Optional): LEED Green Associate, Autodesk Revit Certification
Core Duties:
Assist with design development and drawing production
Conduct site visits and compile field reports
Research codes, materials, and building methods
Work under licensed architects to complete documentation
Salary Range: $60,000–$80,000
MID LEVEL
Job Titles: Architect, Project Architect, BIM Coordinator
Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s in Architecture + licensure
Experience: 4–8 years; completed ARE and registered with state board
Certifications (Recommended): NCARB Certificate, WELL AP, AIA Membership
Core Duties:
Lead project design from schematic to construction documents
Coordinate consultants and engineering teams
Oversee bidding and permitting process
Supervise junior staff and interns
Salary Range: $80,000–$110,000
SENIOR LEVEL
Job Titles: Senior Architect, Design Principal, Architecture Manager
Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s in Architecture
Experience: 8+ years; strong portfolio and team leadership
Certifications (Preferred): PMP, LEED AP BD+C, NCARB Certificate
Core Duties:
Lead large-scale and high-budget design projects
Manage client relations, project scope, and strategic goals
Represent firm in competitions, awards, and presentations
Shape firm’s design direction and mentor staff
Salary Range: $110,000–$160,000+
3. HOW TO BECOME ONE
Education: 5-year B.Arch or 4+2-year B.A. + M.Arch from NAAB-accredited program
Experience: Complete the NCARB’s AXP (3,740 hours) while working under licensed architects
Licensure: Pass the Architect Registration Examination (ARE) + meet state requirements
Soft Skills: Creativity, critical thinking, communication, visual-spatial ability
4. SKILLS & TOOLS
Design & Modeling: AutoCAD, Revit, Rhino, SketchUp, Lumion
Documentation & Workflow: BIM (Revit), Bluebeam, Adobe Creative Suite
Project Management: Deltek, Trello, Asana, MS Project
Sustainability: LEED Online, Energy modeling tools (IES, eQuest)
Presentation: InDesign, Photoshop, PowerPoint, VR tools
Standards Knowledge: IBC, ADA, NFPA, local zoning codes
5. WORK ENVIRONMENT
Office settings with client meetings, design reviews, and site visits
Projects in public and private sectors—residential, commercial, civic
May work long hours under tight deadlines or competition schedules
Flexible work options are increasing (hybrid, remote drawing work)
6. JOB OUTLOOK
Growth fueled by sustainable and urban design demand
8% projected increase from 2023–2033 (faster than average)
8,500+ new architect job openings expected yearly
Increased need in school construction, green building, and adaptive reuse
7. RELATED OCCUPATIONS
Role: Architectural & Engineering Managers | Salary: $167,740 | Education Level: Bachelor’s Degree
Role: Civil Engineers | Salary: $99,590 | Education Level: Bachelor’s Degree
Role: Construction Managers | Salary: $106,980 | Education Level: Bachelor’s Degree
Role: Urban & Regional Planners | Salary: $83,720 | Education Level: Master’s Degree
Role: Landscape Architects | Salary: $79,660 | Education Level: Bachelor’s Degree
Role: Industrial Designers | Salary: $79,450 | Education Level: Bachelor’s Degree
8. RESOURCES FOR LEARNING & ADVANCEMENT
Certifying & Licensing Bodies:
NCARB – National Council of Architectural Registration Boards
NAAB – National Architectural Accrediting Board
AIA – American Institute of Architects
Courses:
Coursera – Architectural Design, Materials Science for Construction
edX – The Architectural Imagination (Harvard)
LinkedIn Learning – Revit, AutoCAD, BIM for Architects
Books:
"Architecture: Form, Space, and Order" by Francis D.K. Ching
"The Architect's Handbook of Professional Practice" (AIA)
"101 Things I Learned in Architecture School" by Matthew Frederick
YouTube Channels:
The B1M
How to Architect
Show It Better
30X40 Design Workshop
Communities:
ARE Facebook Study Groups
r/architecture (Reddit)
Archinect Forums
Black Architects Network (NOMA)
9. REGIONAL DATA & EMPLOYMENT TRENDS
BLS Architect Overview
Projections Central – Architect Growth by State
CareerOneStop – Architect Salary by ZIP
This guide is designed to help aspiring, emerging, and established architects navigate the education, certification, skill-building, and advancement paths in this dynamic and design-driven career.
