Architect Training and Jobs
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.
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.
Job Overview
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.
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.
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).
Part-Time and Self Employment
It is estimated that 6% of architects work less than full time. Self-employment is the choice of 20% of workers.
Career Videos
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
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | $69,000 | 430 | +21% |
| Huntsville | $70,000 | 120 | -18% |
| Mobile | $78,000 | 100 | -18% |
| Montgomery | $95,000 | 140 | +24% |
Alaska
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anchorage | $88,000 | 150 | +29% |
Arizona
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix | $82,000 | 1,100 | -14% |
| Tucson | $66,000 | 170 | -30% |
Arkansas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville | $66,000 | 300 | +110% |
| Little Rock | $72,000 | 250 | +1% |
California
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield | $101,000 | 80 | -57% |
| Fresno | $86,000 | 180 | -21% |
| Los Angeles | $98,000 | 2,580 | -12% |
| Modesto | 70 | -35% | |
| Napa | $89,000 | 40 | -1% |
| Oakland | $83,000 | 1,170 | +62% |
| Oxnard | $85,000 | 90 | -57% |
| Riverside | $84,000 | 350 | -60% |
| Sacramento | $103,000 | 810 | +29% |
| San Diego | $95,000 | 910 | -4% |
| San Francisco | $87,000 | 1,700 | +136% |
| San Jose | $85,000 | 270 | -58% |
| San Luis Obispo | $68,000 | 40 | -35% |
| Santa Ana | $86,000 | 1,260 | +19% |
| Santa Barbara | $86,000 | 200 | +72% |
| Santa Rosa | $87,000 | 160 | +32% |
| Vallejo | $95,000 | 40 | -51% |
Colorado
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boulder | $52,000 | 400 | +278% |
| Colorado Springs | $79,000 | 140 | -22% |
| Denver | $83,000 | 1,780 | +96% |
| Fort Collins | $71,000 | 130 | +51% |
Connecticut
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport | $99,000 | 420 | +37% |
| Hartford | $77,000 | 480 | +16% |
| New Haven | $84,000 | 280 | +45% |
Delaware
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmington | $78,000 | 90 | -61% |
District of Columbia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $85,000 | 2,840 | +60% |
Florida
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Coral | $72,000 | 70 | -48% |
| Deltona | $64,000 | 40 | -62% |
| Fort Lauderdale | $73,000 | 270 | -46% |
| Fort Walton Beach | $81,000 | 70 | +39% |
| Gainesville | $64,000 | 80 | -3% |
| Jacksonville | $71,000 | 300 | -31% |
| Lakeland | $78,000 | 70 | -47% |
| Miami | $82,000 | 750 | +5% |
| Naples | $76,000 | 90 | +19% |
| Orlando | $76,000 | 650 | -12% |
| Palm Bay | $69,000 | 50 | -64% |
| Pensacola | $66,000 | 120 | +17% |
| Port St Lucie | $49,000 | 40 | -51% |
| Sarasota | $120,000 | 190 | +9% |
| Sebastian | $75,000 | 40 | +34% |
| Tallahassee | $84,000 | 120 | +7% |
| Tampa | $79,000 | 980 | +18% |
| West Palm Beach | $88,000 | 210 | -44% |
Georgia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Athens | $49,000 | 30 | -35% |
| Atlanta | $76,000 | 2,160 | +28% |
| Augusta | $68,000 | 160 | +11% |
| Brunswick | $79,000 | 50 | +97% |
| Columbus | $89,000 | 50 | -33% |
| Savannah | $75,000 | 130 | +26% |
Hawaii
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honolulu | $81,000 | 450 | +43% |
Idaho
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boise | $66,000 | 230 | +24% |
Illinois
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Champaign | $76,000 | 50 | -27% |
| Chicago | $76,000 | 3,860 | +41% |
| Peoria | $70,000 | 80 | -33% |
| Springfield | $74,000 | 40 | -45% |
Indiana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Wayne | $69,000 | 150 | +5% |
| Gary | $98,000 | 100 | -48% |
| Indianapolis | $66,000 | 640 | -1% |
| South Bend | $72,000 | 50 | -43% |
Iowa
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ames | $60,000 | 50 | +119% |
| Cedar Rapids | $87,000 | 80 | -16% |
| Davenport | $85,000 | 40 | -69% |
| Des Moines | $70,000 | 380 | +62% |
| Dubuque | $59,000 | 40 | +18% |
| Iowa City | $64,000 | 60 | +30% |
| Sioux City | $67,000 | 40 | -16% |
Kansas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Topeka | $70,000 | 50 | -33% |
| Wichita | $59,000 | 190 | -7% |
Kentucky
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lexington | $69,000 | 210 | +24% |
| Louisville | $68,000 | 290 | -34% |
Louisiana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge | $72,000 | 220 | -18% |
| Lafayette | $72,000 | 120 | +22% |
| New Orleans | $71,000 | 350 | -8% |
| Shreveport | $73,000 | 50 | -60% |
Maryland
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore | $76,000 | 1,160 | +22% |
| Bethesda | $87,000 | 680 | +63% |
| Salisbury | $57,000 | 40 | +17% |
Massachusetts
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barnstable Town | $86,000 | 60 | -10% |
| Boston | $85,000 | 3,230 | +155% |
| Framingham | $72,000 | 140 | +23% |
| Peabody | $83,000 | 40 | -42% |
| Springfield | $87,000 | 90 | -58% |
| Worcester | $72,000 | 40 | -78% |
Michigan
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor | $70,000 | 100 | -14% |
| Detroit | $76,000 | 250 | -48% |
| Flint | $82,000 | 40 | -55% |
| Grand Rapids | $87,000 | 140 | -48% |
| Kalamazoo | $74,000 | 50 | -46% |
| Lansing | $68,000 | 170 | +22% |
| Warren | $76,000 | 620 | -21% |
Minnesota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duluth | $84,000 | 50 | -44% |
| Minneapolis | $72,000 | 1,310 | +1% |
Mississippi
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gulfport | $66,000 | 60 | -18% |
| Jackson | $54,000 | 240 | +34% |
Missouri
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia | $63,000 | 90 | +70% |
| Kansas City | $72,000 | 910 | +24% |
| Springfield | $77,000 | 120 | -10% |
| St Louis | $68,000 | 1,210 | +25% |
Montana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billings | $50,000 | 150 | +168% |
| Missoula | $68,000 | 60 | +80% |
Nebraska
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln | $69,000 | 100 | -10% |
| Omaha | $74,000 | 500 | +48% |
Nevada
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas | $89,000 | 360 | -42% |
| Reno | $93,000 | 30 | -78% |
New Hampshire
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portsmouth | $76,000 | 40 | +8% |
New Jersey
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Camden | $77,000 | 280 | -26% |
| Edison | $79,000 | 490 | -34% |
| Newark | $91,000 | 550 | -24% |
| Trenton | $87,000 | 330 | +106% |
New Mexico
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque | $68,000 | 460 | +66% |
| Las Cruces | $61,000 | 30 | -28% |
New York
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albany | $69,000 | 450 | +39% |
| Buffalo | $74,000 | 380 | -5% |
| Ithaca | $67,000 | 60 | +136% |
| Kingston | $69,000 | 30 | -23% |
| Nassau | $89,000 | 780 | -15% |
| New York | $87,000 | 6,910 | +82% |
| Poughkeepsie | $86,000 | 90 | -48% |
| Rochester | $86,000 | 200 | -45% |
| Syracuse | $67,000 | 280 | +25% |
North Carolina
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte | $75,000 | 880 | +42% |
| Durham | $75,000 | 270 | +38% |
| Greensboro | $75,000 | 60 | -76% |
| Raleigh | $71,000 | 280 | -25% |
North Dakota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fargo | $54,000 | 70 | -16% |
| Grand Forks | $56,000 | 40 | +31% |
Ohio
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Akron | $66,000 | 140 | -39% |
| Cincinnati | $73,000 | 630 | -14% |
| Cleveland | $71,000 | 630 | -15% |
| Columbus | $74,000 | 690 | +3% |
| Dayton | $72,000 | 230 | -16% |
| Toledo | $61,000 | 150 | -28% |
| Youngstown | $77,000 | 60 | -62% |
Oklahoma
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City | $65,000 | 240 | -43% |
| Tulsa | $68,000 | 220 | -29% |
Oregon
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bend | $76,000 | 50 | +22% |
| Eugene | $63,000 | 50 | -48% |
| Portland | $70,000 | 1,350 | +82% |
| Salem | $82,000 | 60 | -42% |
Pennsylvania
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown | $116,000 | 160 | -35% |
| Erie | $65,000 | 30 | -66% |
| Harrisburg | $82,000 | 170 | -26% |
| Lancaster | $82,000 | 200 | +20% |
| Philadelphia | $80,000 | 1,510 | +9% |
| Pittsburgh | $73,000 | 750 | -10% |
| Reading | $84,000 | 60 | -48% |
| Scranton | $80,000 | 150 | -19% |
| York | $80,000 | 80 | -35% |
Rhode Island
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providence | $80,000 | 170 | -58% |
South Carolina
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | $59,000 | 560 | +173% |
| Columbia | $78,000 | 170 | -32% |
| Greenville | $81,000 | 180 | -16% |
South Dakota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid City | $79,000 | 40 | -3% |
| Sioux Falls | $77,000 | 40 | -58% |
Tennessee
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga | $76,000 | 50 | -69% |
| Kingsport | $77,000 | 70 | -16% |
| Knoxville | $74,000 | 180 | -24% |
| Memphis | $81,000 | 200 | -55% |
| Nashville | $79,000 | 410 | -24% |
Texas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amarillo | $52,000 | 40 | -45% |
| Austin | $73,000 | 850 | +49% |
| College Station | $51,000 | 100 | +62% |
| Corpus Christi | $77,000 | 90 | -28% |
| Dallas | $81,000 | 2,140 | +40% |
| El Paso | $73,000 | 130 | -33% |
| Fort Worth | $67,000 | 460 | -27% |
| Houston | $86,000 | 1,940 | +1% |
| Lubbock | $54,000 | 100 | +16% |
| Mcallen | $73,000 | 40 | -75% |
| San Antonio | $63,000 | 830 | +31% |
Utah
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Logan | $87,000 | 40 | +34% |
| Ogden | $75,000 | 50 | -64% |
| Salt Lake City | $69,000 | 500 | +14% |
Vermont
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington | $66,000 | 80 | +5% |
Virginia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blacksburg | $60,000 | 30 | -24% |
| Charlottesville | $75,000 | 150 | +160% |
| Lynchburg | $54,000 | 90 | +35% |
| Richmond | $59,000 | 480 | +8% |
| Roanoke | $66,000 | 80 | -26% |
| Virginia Beach | $86,000 | 400 | -27% |
| Winchester | $82,000 | 30 | -5% |
Washington
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellingham | $67,000 | 40 | -18% |
| Bremerton | $89,000 | 50 | -9% |
| Kennewick | $88,000 | 50 | -26% |
| Olympia | $74,000 | 70 | +5% |
| Seattle | $71,000 | 2,080 | +104% |
| Spokane | $74,000 | 170 | +18% |
| Tacoma | $68,000 | 240 | +28% |
West Virginia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | $76,000 | 30 | -70% |
Wisconsin
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green Bay | $69,000 | 60 | -49% |
| Madison | $77,000 | 290 | +20% |
| Milwaukee | $71,000 | 630 | +4% |
Wyoming
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cheyenne | $66,000 | 30 | +14% |