Architects, Except Landscape and Naval

Architects spend their days designing structures and planning layouts. This career attracts people with strong realistic interests who enjoy hands-on, practical work. Daily tasks involve creative thinking, drafting technical specifications, solving complex problems, and using computers to generate designs. Architects must gather information, make critical decisions, and organize their work priorities to meet project goals.

To succeed, professionals need deep knowledge of design, building construction, engineering, and mathematics. They must also understand public safety regulations, government laws, and customer service. Key skills include critical thinking, active listening, operations analysis, and clear communication with clients, colleagues, and supervisors. Because they must evaluate designs to ensure they comply with building standards, architects rely on work styles like attention to detail, dependability, innovation, and cautiousness.

To enter this career, a bachelor's degree is the typical minimum education required. However, many professionals in this field require extensive preparation, often earning graduate degrees such as a master's degree or a PhD. Common college majors that prepare students for this path include architecture, environmental design, and architectural history, criticism, and conservation.

Some states list a license for this work. Additionally, professionals can pursue voluntary credentials to show their expertise. Examples of relevant certifications include the NCARB Certification from the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards, the Certified Green Professional credential from the National Association of Home Builders, and the Certified Kitchen and Bath Designer credential from the National Kitchen & Bath Association.

The median annual pay for architects is $99,280. This means half of the workers in this occupation earn more than this amount, while the other half earn less. Earnings can vary significantly based on experience and location; the lowest 10% of earners make less than $62,300, while the highest 10% earn more than $161,420.

There are 106,770 people employed in this field. Between 2025 and 2035, employment is projected to grow by 4.3%, which is as fast as the average for all occupations. This growth, along with normal turnover, is expected to result in about 6,900 job openings each year.