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Architects

Architects are licensed professionals responsible for developing plans and images of architectural structures. They combine the fields of engineering and art to produce pleasing yet functional designs. Architects design buildings, municipalities and landscapes in such a way that the functional and artistic requirements of the users of the structure are met, the building complies with all legal building codes, and that it falls within the budgeted requirements of the client. There are many specialties within the field of architecture that one may consider for study.

Schools and Degrees

To obtain the license required to work in this field, candidates must obtain a professional degree from an accredited school. Most states require architects to obtain a degree from a school of architecture that is accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB). Students usually complete a 5-year bachelor's degree program in architecture. However, they may also opt to obtain a master's degree in this field after completing a bachelor's degree in another subject. It may take 1 to 5 years to complete this master's degree depending on the education that the individual has received while completing their bachelor's degree.

Job Requirements

After obtaining their degree, these professionals must apprentice under a licensed architect for a stipulated period before taking the state licensing exam. They have to adhere to the norms set by the Intern Development Program of the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards and the American Institute of Architects. Usually candidates are expected to intern at an architectural firm for three years. Certain states allow candidates to obtain training from professionals of related professions such as general contractors or professional engineers. In some cases, they are also allowed to count the internships that they undertook while getting their degree as part of the three years.

It goes without saying that people in this field must be creative by nature. They must have a good spatial aptitude as they must be able to visualize structures that do not yet exist, and they must be good communicators so their clients can visualize those structures also. Architects who have artistic ability have an added advantage both in designing an aesthetically pleasing structure, and also in presenting it to their clients in as attractive a way as possible. Since almost all architectural work these days is done using computers for modeling, drafting and simulation, strong computer skills are a necessity.

Nature of Work

Architects work closely with para-professionals such as draftspersons and artists, as well as engineers and construction management. People in this profession are usually involved in construction of buildings from the time when discussions start with clients to the time when the completed structure is delivered. They understand the needs of the clients and help during the phases when the site is being selected, the environmental impact is being studied, and the cost analysis is being prepared. Then the architects produce the plan of the building so that the clients and the builders can understand the appearance of the building. The plan includes the designs of the ventilating, heating, and air-conditioning systems; the electrical system; and the plumbing system. They may be required to modify the plans several times during the construction phase according to the changes in the requirements of the client or because of budgetary concerns.

While architects most often do their work in an office setting, they may frequently travel to client or construction sites, both in the planning and execution phases of their design, and to professional conferences.

Job Numbers and Growth

How many architects are there? About 132,000 in all. Workers can most likely expect a very low rate of unemployment. Note that 2% of employees were without work in 2008.

Area Job Conditions

Charlottesville (Virginia), Boulder (Colorado), and Lawrence (Kansas) boast the most architects for their size population. Springfield (Massachusetts), Augusta (Georgia), and McAllen (Texas) have the fewest.

The highest salaries for workers are in and around Bakersfield (California), Logan (Utah), and Cape Coral (Florida). The lowest-paying areas are Lubbock (Texas), Lynchburg (Virginia), and College Station (Texas).

Training and Education

Expect to get a bachelor's degree for this occupation. The share of architects with a bachelor's degree or higher is 88%. About 10% of workers got additional education after high school, but did not have to get a college degree. There was no need to go beyond high school for 2% of employees. Recommended schools are shown in the column to the right; request information from them to help you decide which if any could help you with this career.

Part-Time Work and Self-Employment

It is estimated that 6% of architects work less than full time. Self-employment is the choice of 20% of workers.

Architects by Metropolitan Area (city and its surroundings)

In the table below, a Job Density near 0% means the area has an average number of people in this occupation, for its population. A higher or lower Job Density (e.g., +22% or -45%) tells you there are that many more or fewer workers of that type there than in the average US metro area. So, the higher the number, the more common the occupation.

Alabama

Arizona

Arkansas

California

Colorado

Connecticut

Delaware

District of Columbia

Florida

Georgia

Hawaii

Idaho

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana

Maine

Maryland

Massachusetts

Michigan

Minnesota

Mississippi

Missouri

Montana

Nebraska

Nevada

New Hampshire

New Jersey

New Mexico

New York

North Carolina

North Dakota

Ohio

Oklahoma

Oregon

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

South Carolina

South Dakota

Tennessee

Texas

Utah

Vermont

Virginia

Washington

Wisconsin